Vikas... The Movie Buff!

Movie Review: Shakal Pe Mat Ja (Hindi) 146

2011-11-21T22:01:00.001+05:30

Made on low budgets, good scripts and sans star power, independent cinema has been making waves and raking in the bucks in Bollywood these days. You would assume a shoestring budget would have made them focus on a smart script and some new jokes. But alas, it is not so with this pathetic and amateurish film.

The name that literally translates into ‘don’t go by the looks’ is a comic drama of mistaken identities. Four boys, Ankit (Shubh Mukherjee), his kid brother Dhruv (Pratik Katare), a long haired imbecile Bulai (Harshal Parekh) and an NRI fatso Rohan (Chitrak Bandyopadhyay) are busy making a documentary on terror attacks and are caught by Airport’s security officials while filming aircraft landings.

Security chief Om Prakash (Raghuvir Yadav) and anti-terrorist squad officer Chauhan (Saurabh Shukla) know that the boys don’t look like terrorists but detain them for suspicion, partly because their video footage includes prominent landmarks and talks of explosives. Adding to the confusion is an attack by Omama (Zakhir Hussain) at around the same time. And then there is Amina (Aamna Shariff), a shady character.

This is supposed to be a comedy but has nothing fresh or funny. One humor track involves dimwitted teens doing dumb things to outsmart some equally dumb security staff at the Airport. And then there are jokes involving a fat guy’s rumbling tummy are lifted straight out of ‘Delly Belly’. This is not even slapstick or cheap humor. In comparison, Priyadarshan or Anees Bazmee would look like geniuses!

The plot is absolutely nonexistent and seems to mimick the satirical 2010 film ‘Tere Bin Laden’ which was well received. Looks like it was filmed in a mall with cheap looking airport signages pasted everywhere with a store room doubling up as a hideout for the bad guys. The lead actor also plays hero by diffusing a bomb in a clichéd scene of him cutting a wire followed by his lady love Prachi (Umang Jain) falling in his arms.

And what to talk of performances! Shubh Mukherjee tries to portray many facets: a college kid, deal maker for his friends, the smart one and a savior. Although the better one among the four, he has much to improve. Pratik Katare is jarring as the oversmart kid and Harshal Parekh looks totally lost. Raghuvir Yadav and Saurabh Shukla’s roles are over the top. Aamna Shariff was probably there to bring in glamor!

Well, what’s the obsession with the fat guy Chitrak Bandyopadhyay? His size and beard remind you of Zach Galifianakis in ‘Hangover’ series and ‘Due Date’ which in turn seems to have inspired Kunaal Roy Kapur act in ‘Delhi Belly’. ‘Bheja Fry’ too had fat oaf, Vinay Pathak who was initially funny but became predictable in the sequel. Chitrak’s despicable role hits nadir with his annoyingly fake American accent.

One would wonder why this movie was even made in the first place. It’s simple. Hrishitaa Bhatt, the producer is married to the director Shubhashish Mukherjee or Shubh as he calls himself in the credits. With too much on his hands, the film only ends up as a venture satisfying his obsession to write, direct and act in a film.

‘Shakal pe mat ja’ is a lesson that Independent cinema could be just as awful as or even worse than mainstream cinema. To make matters worse this juvenile film is longer than two hours. So, spare yourself the torture. Stay away!

Rating 1/10: Someone’s school project released on the big-screen

Movie Review: Adventures of Tintin (English) 145

2011-11-14T00:15:00.001+05:30

After being used to so many of sci-fi and hi-tech films seen in Hollywood, one has to admit that while watching this, there are many ‘Why don’t they use Google’ moments. But it takes a lot to bring these comics to life while retaining the simple charm of those old comics that most of us would have read as kids.

Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson have planned this as a trilogy and this is the first of the three and based on three original comic books: The Secret of the Unicorn (1943), The Crab with the Golden Claws (1941) and partly Red Rackham's Treasure (1944) and takes you on an adventure from the city to high seas to Saharan deserts.

Being a first, it establishes the characters: Tintin (Jamie Bell) as a journalist with a white fox terrier called snowy and how he meets booze loving Captain Haddock (Andy Serkins) as they attempt to thwart Ivan Sacharine’s (Daniel Craig) evil plans. And, then there are the twin detectives Thomson and Thomson.

Comic timing by Captain Haddock is well done. The moment when he uses his alcohol breath to restart a plane is probably the funniest. And his lines ‘billions of blue blistering barnacles’ are sure to evoke your memories when you read those comics. It would be nice to see a return of these characters in the sequel and the other regulars such as Professor Calculus. Hope a sequel covers Tintin’s Indian adventures too.

Many of the earlier versions of Tintin in motion picture or television shows haven’t been impressive. Although I was skeptical about how this movie would turn out, Spielberg’s genius makes it tick. Although the story deviates from the books at certain places, it doesn’t affect the end product. There is a flow in the story, although it combines three books, there the thrill of non-stop adventure and a bit of drama.

The special effects are its high point. Filmed using motion-capture, i.e., translating actors’ real movements in a studio to characters on screen, it seemed a good decision to retain it as a comic rather than enact it live retaining the charm that Herge’s comics. Also, the creator believed that only Spielberg could do it that well. Nevertheless, considering that it was an animated film, the 3D could have been much better though.

While, I’m not sure whether those who have not been fans of the comics would really find the film interesting, it’s still a worthwhile watch, irrespective of your age. This film works well for comic book enthusiasts and also for those with kids.

Rating 7/10: Very enjoyable; retains the charm from the original comics

Movie Review: Rockstar (Hindi) 144

2011-11-13T22:35:00.000+05:30

Even if you ignore his surname for a moment, Ranbir Kapoor is arguably one of the most naturally talented actors in today’s Bollywood. In addition to this, his good looks ensure female fan following, read: rake in more moolah. His ‘Rockstar’ may have just been his most intense and splendid performance till date.

‘Rockstar’ begins at a concert in Rome and someone scuffling with ruffians. It is soon revealed that the ‘someone’ is Jordan, a major rockstar, labeled a bad-boy by the media and someone who hardly smiles. Cut to his college days, there’s the simple Janardan Jahkar or JJ strumming his guitar and singing for the local audience and his days in the college canteen gorging samosas and idolizing Jim Morrison.

When his well-wisher and canteen manager Katana, played impressively by Kumud Mishra tells him that a true artist needs to be driven by hurt and anguish, JJ curses his simple and incident-free life. Just to get his heart broken, he chases the college bombshell, Heer Kaul (Nargis Fakhri). Eventually, it turns out that under the prim and proper exterior Heer is thrill-seeker and the two become wild friends.

What begins as a fun-filled friendship takes different shades as the time passes. On one hand, Heer drowns into depression without our hero, whom she re-christens as ‘Jordan’. And, Jordan’s yearning for her company brings out the performer in him.

In what is probably the best portrayal of what goes on in a creative head, the story brings depth and makes its audience feel for JJ. Despite the negative publicity he gets as Jordan, he’s a simple guy who yearns for love. Noticeably, it is only after his tryst with Heer that his motive in life changes from chasing success to something else. During the process, success merely becomes a byproduct he is least interested in.

Director Imtiaz Ali plays around with the story’s chronology. It is likely that the editors too may have actually lost track in between. Repeated scenes, songs and too much of flash-back or forth gets annoying after a point. The restlessness among the audience was very apparent as the movie seemed to go on forever.

Talking of performances, Ranbir surely has a line of awards waiting for him. Nargis Fakhri, the American with Pakistani antecedents who plays the leading lady is truly beautiful and has been a Kingfisher calendar girl; but not as gifted with acting skills. The film also marks Shammi Kapoor’s last screen appearance as he plays an Ustaad who recognizes JJ’s talent. Aditi Rao Hydari plays a small role as a Journalist.

AR Rahman’s music is integral to the story and songs have already become runaway hits. ‘Sadda Haq’, ‘Kun Faya Kun’, ‘Jo Bhi Main’, with Mohit Chauhan as the Rockstar’s voice and ‘Katiya Karun’ give the album an eclectic blend of rock, desi flavor and Sufi mysticism. Again, some more awards are in the waiting here.

Cinematography too is well done, especially the jerky shots and quirky angles that capture the actors’ emotions effectively. Be it the by lanes of Delhi, picturesque Europe or Breathtaking beautiful Kashmir winter, the excellence with the camera is undeniable. The realistic costumes complement the camera work.

The dialog is very smart and the first half evokes laughter and stands up ably as things turn serious in the second half. You may blame the script for some of its flaws, but asking for perfection when portraying emotions and out of the ordinary relationships is a monumental challenge. So, to say, it’s a job moderately well done.

So, should you be watching this movie? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes’! Granted, the story gets a little lost in the second half, but the rest of the goodies will make you overlook its flaws. The movie is powerful enough to keep you thinking much after you are out of the movie hall. If you still haven’t seen it, go for it!

Rating 7/10: Ranbir’s stellar performance nearly makes up for the movie’s flaws

Movie Review: Tower Heist (English) 143

2011-11-12T22:08:00.000+05:30

Heist movies have hit the screens with regularity in every language and generation. You know how it all ends: the smart thieves get their booty despite all odds and twists. But, very few are actually smart and slick enough like an ‘Italian Job’ or an ‘Oceans Eleven’. On a comparative rating, ‘Tower Heist’ doesn’t even get close.

‘The Tower’ is a luxury high rise apartment (actually filmed at Trump International Hotel and Tower in Manhattan) where the hard working staff led by Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) make sure that its high profile tenants are pampered.

In the backdrop of difficult markets and people losing jobs including one of the Tower’s tenants and Wall Street trader Mr. Fitzhugh (Matthew Broderick), FBI arrests the wealthiest tenant Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda).

Just then, Josh realizes that his pension along with that of his staff have been wiped out in Shaw’s Ponzi scheme. To make matters worse, Josh and two others are fired for their outburst at Shaw. When the drunken FBI agent (Tea Leoni) reveals that Shaw could be having cash hoard in his penthouse, Josh resolves to steal it.

For all practical purposes, a film starring Ben Stiller cannot be an action flick. Thus, comedy is written into it. And Josh’s conspirators aren’t professional thieves, but a concierge, Charlie (Casey Affleck), an elevator operator, Enrique (Michael Pena), Fitzhugh and Odessa a cleaner (Gabourey Sidibe). So, they hire Slide, a small-time thief (Eddie Murphy) to teach them to do the job and Murphy adds a few laughs.

How the bunch of simple folk handle the heist forms the rest of the story. Contrary to other Heist flicks playing on the difficulty of the job or employ ‘Mission Impossible’ style technology or stylish actors, ‘Tower Heist’ tries to differentiate itself as a comedy where amateur thieves bungling up on something or the other. But, comedy is forced and feels as if someone is holding an ‘Applause’ or ‘Laugh’ board for the audience.

Going by the star power that ‘Tower Heist’ had, one would at least expect a decent comedy. But alas, such is not the case and you don’t see concrete stuff till it gets to the end, which, in contrast to the rest of the movie is smartly written. Well, you won’t mind watching it on Cable TV; but coughing up bucks for a movie ticket is a no-no.

Rating 4/10: Average fare; will fade out your memory in minutes

Movie Review: In Time (English) 142

2011-11-10T00:01:00.000+05:30

The old adage that says ‘Time is Money’ is literally brought to life in the Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried starrer ‘In Time’ that is set in a dystopian future where all human beings have been genetically altered to stop aging after turning 25.

While the idea of staying young forever could be alluring, it comes at a cost. As soon as one turns 25, the timer on the arm starts counting backwards giving them just a year to live. Any more longevity needs to be earned. Since time is literally money, people pay in time, like four minutes for a cup of coffee and earn wages in time.

The poor live in ghettos and always have few hours or minutes left to live and they battle for survival against rising costs and taxes. Anyone having more time is robbed by gangsters called Minutemen. Meanwhile, the rich live in elitist New Greenwich and have thousands of years in their account. The barriers between them are justified by Darwinism and are guarded by futuristic police called Timekeepers.

Set in such conditions, ‘In Time’ is somewhat based on Robin Hood’s story where the protagonist Will Salas (Timberlake) believes that there is time for everyone to live and no one should really live forever. When someone rich donates his years to Will and times himself out to die, Will heads towards New Greenwich. Meanwhile, Will is suspected of murder and is chased by timekeeper Raymond (Cillian Murphy).

If our hero with a deadpan expression has to keep his audience interested, he needs an arm-candy; enter Sylvia Weis (Seyfried), the daughter of a wealthy time-lender whom Will eventually steals from. The film also has some action and special effects, some of which are especially tacky like the car crash which is a case in point.

The whole idea of idea of casting everyone as 25 year olds in the film seems to be done mostly with a view to bring younger audiences to the movies. This was exactly what the ‘Twilight’ franchise played on. Now do you notice the connection? For the starcast, Timberlake is not entirely convincing, Amanda Seyfriend isn’t glamor material. Cillian Murphy’s performace as the antagonist is an exception.

In a way the movie is a take on immortal youth and its flipside. While the idea itself is not bad, it leaves gaping plot-holes as to how every single human is genetically engineered and there is not a single person living normally without the countdown timer on his hand. Meanwhile the future world is portrayed with a retro touch.

Coming from director Andrew Niccol who has made films like ‘Gattaca’, ‘The Terminal’ and ‘The Truman Show’, ‘In Time’ is a let down. Contrary to the usual cinematic theme of the protagonist always being right, here, Will Salas is misguided. Not worthwhile!

Rating 3/10: Mixes Robin Hood theme with portrayal of time as money

Movie Review: Ra.One (Hindi) 141

2011-11-01T20:07:00.003+05:30

Ra.One is everywhere! Nopes, not by audience appeal of the movie but is promotion that is way more ubiquitous than crows in any city. Be it posters of every conveivable size, TV advertisements, toys, mugs, appearances on shows and even race cars. Had they thought of spending that energy on the script, Ra.One could’ve been better.

In what is the weakest possible opening for a film, Shahana Goswami launches some new technology in the dumbest possible way. Then there is a gaming scene King Khan battles a baddie (Sanjay Dutt) to save the damsel (Priyanka Chopra), both in overdone and unfunny roles. Cut to a classroom, we are shown a long-haired girly looking Prateek (Armaan Verma), a gaming freak and a computing whizkid.

Prateek hates his uncool father Shekhar Subramaniam (Khan) a typecasted tamilian game-designer who can never park his car right (humor stolen from Mr. Bean). Although a British citizen and successful enough to afford many cars and a great home, he can’t pronounce ‘keys’ when he loses them in a woman’s top. And there is Kareena who plays his gorgeous wife who is writing a thesis on swearwords.

While Khan’s tamilian gig in ‘Om Shanti Om’ was funny, he seems to have stretched it too far this time. Predictably, our hero speaks with an accent, has to add an ‘aiyyoo’ to every sentence and here’s something new: he eats noodles with curds; sick! Thankfully, his character is killed before he does anything even siller.

Ra.One has also been dubbed into ‘Telugu’ and ‘Tamil’. But then, if King Khan thinks that a clichéd madrasi character and a couple of tamil lines in the song ‘Chammak Challo’ is enough to extend his market down south, he is thoroughly mistaken.

Coming back to the story, Shekhar wants to gain his son’s admiration and works on his idea to create a gaming villain who can’t be beaten, i.e., ‘Random Access One’ or Ra.One. The ‘Good One’ or G.One has to beat his opponent with goodness.

Just around its launch, the game comes to life and Ra.One is out on the strets seeking to kill Prateek who played as his opponent in the first ever tryout of the game. Obviously, there is only one thing that can save him: G.One who is less of a cape-crusader but more of a Terminator-esque saviour for the boy. The family he protects may have found G.One as a more sensible replacement for the silly Shekhar!

One can go on forever on the things it has copied from Ironman, Batman or Superman among others. But, one must credit Ra.One for having made a movie on gaming, involving top notch technology and Hollywood style action. Barring the imbecile beginning, the rest of the story is still bearable, thanks to the believable effects. While it may not work for us as grown-ups, kids may find Ra.One interesting.

The film definitely had the potential to be better than what it has turned out to be. Much like Rajnikant’s ‘Robot’, the designer could have been portrayed as any regular guy who could be empathized with. Talking of ‘Robot’, the cameo of Chitti, the robot drew more applause and whistles than two hours of Shah Rukh Khan on screen.

Speaking of performances, Shah Rukh was hopelessly pathetic as Shekhar Subramaniam but was tolerable as G.One. Arjun Rampal delivered a commendable performance as a villain, although his role was short. Chinese-American actor and martial arts expert Tom Wu stands out as a worthy performer. Armaan, well, I thought he was a girl till the movie kept on insisting that he is a 'son' to Shekhar. Kareena plays her attention grabber act with aplomb.

Movies like these seem to be portrayal of grandidose ego with possibly zero input from its director Anubhav Sinha who has mostly directed flops till date. In a scenario where the star is much bigger than the director, the film would definitely suffer from myopia. Concordantly, there is more emphasis on style than content.

So, should you watch ‘Ra.One’? There is no clear answer to this one. Shah Rukh’s die hard fans would swear by whatever he does; and there are those who despise his every move. The special effects are a new high for Bollywood and worthy of applause. And Akon’s ‘Chammak Challo’ with Kareen in red stands out. But the ultimate choice solely depends on which side of Shah Rukh’s fandom you stand on.

Rating 5/10: Scores for special effects; falls flat otherwise

Movie Review: Three Musketeers 2011 (English) 140

2011-10-19T21:27:00.000+05:30

Based on Alexander Dumas’ popular french story, this is at least the fourth cinematic venture. The previous ones had released in 1948, 1973 and 1993 and if this one were to succeed, it had to offer something unprecedented. Therefor, Director Paul WS Anderson relies on special effects to do the magic for him.

Following Dumas’ novel, it’s the story of a poor nobleman d’Artagnan who comes to Paris to carry on his father’s legacy by joining the famed musketeers. But don’t expect it follow the book. The film is actually an oversimplified version. While the plot intricacies have been guillotined, what remains is only stylized action.

On the brigher side, the special effects are very well done even in a 2D version. I’m sure the 3D may have been even more engaging. The Airships are extraneous to the story but manage to create a spectacle on screen. The duel on the Notre-Dame rooftop and the animated map of Europe for scene cotinuity are worth a mention.

The three musketeers played by Matthew Macfadyen as Athos, Ray Stevenson as Porthos and Luke Evans as Aramis look tired and practically didn’t have much to do except wearily accompany d’Artagnan and get their hands dirty in an occasional battle. Their weariness is explained by a failed mission, thanks to Milady de Winter (Milla Jovovich) who plays a double agent and Athos’ treacherous love interest.

About Jovovich, the lesser said the better. For one, she tries excessively hard to play sensuous. Her stunts are akin to Resident Evil series also starring Jovovich directed by Anderson. There are also stunts inspired by Mission Impossible and Entrapment after she shds her clothes atop a terrace, an unlikely event in 17th century Europe. Her prominence can be explained by the fact that she is the director’s wife.

Rather than Jovovich, it is the British model and actress Gabriella Wilde who plays Constance Bonacieux, d’Artagnan’s love interest who steals the show in the looks department. In the lead, Logan Lerman does well as the cocky but courageous d’Artagnan. Those that play the french king and queen are insignificant.

Among the other stars, Christoph Waltz who drew critical acclaim and an Oscar for his portrayal as Col Hans Landa in ‘Inglorious Basterds’ plays the scheming Cardinal Richelieu. But, it is his henchman Rochefort that grabs more screentime and action and is played by Mads Mikkelsen, the bond villain from Casino Royale (2006).

To put it all in a nutshell, ‘Three Musketeers’ has action, charm of a fictional historic tale, death defying stunts involving airships and occasional humor. If you are keen shut your mind to its pitfalls, it works well as a decent entertainer.

Rating 6/10: Relies more on special effects than storytelling, yet watchable

Movie Review: Mausam (Hindi) 139

2011-10-05T13:03:00.001+05:30

The promos of ?Mausam? seemed reasonably promising. It had been a long time since there was a film that had a simple-sweet romantic theme as it core sans metropolitan complexities. They had ruled the box office in the 90?s, and were a rare breed now. And this one failed to break the trend and this ?Mausam? ran into bad weather. Replete with every cinematic cliché around, the film is acutally a thesis on Bollywood clichés.

The film begins in the early 1990?s in a Punjabi village with the usual clichés of mustard fields and the mandatory celebratory song and dance numbers. It is here that our local boy Harry (Shahid Kapoor) meets Aayat (Sonam Kapoor) who has just arrived from Kashmir seeking refuge with a relative there. Soon, love blossoms with not many words being exchanged but by passing love notes; old school romance, you see!

Within days, Harry expresses his love for her. Just when you wonder about what?s going to happen next, Aayat disappears from the village without a trace and without answering his question. Cut to 7 years later in Scotland by when Harry is an Air Force Pilot and Aayat is an aspiring Ballerina and the latter?s family has been affected in 1992 Babri demolition and 1993 Mumbai riots. The couple rekindles their love.

Now that the two are together, you atleast hope for an interval, but the audience has no luck yet. There?s more! This time Harry disappers from the scene for the 1999 Kargil war and becomes disabled. The two lose contact yet again. The tragedies don?t just end there. There?s the 2011 WTC attack and the 2002 Gujrat riots too. Strangely, Aayat has the uncanny ability to find herself in every conflict around the globe.

As they meet and go apart umpteen times, strangely, they are unable to reach one another although they have the telephone numbers of those they know in common. The film can use the alibi that the story predates Facebook or Orkut. And during the process, the film feels to go on forever, or will it end at all? Granted, there are some songs that help it, but the pain of sitting through this film is simply traumatic.

The clichés just don?t end there. For a happy ending, the hero has to single-handedly fight hordes of villains and save the damsel in distress. And when he is done with it, he saves a child stuck on a ferris-wheel and regains his disabled hand! And lo, there is a white horse on the scene that also needs to be saved. In the end, the two are united and start a family with the ferris-wheel kid and the horse tags along too.

Although set in the 90s, it may have worked better in the Black and White era. Probably Shahid?s father Pankaj Kapur?s wet dream to make a romance flick since his childhood but could manage the money only now. Obviously, the clichés in this film don?t work anymore now. I?m not saying that clichés don?t work; only the formula has changed. Those that work are more of the likes of ?Ready? or a ?Singham?. Keep Out!

Rating 2/10: Probably the year?s worst Bollywood movie

My Journey to a meaningful Half Marathon

2011-10-05T02:02:00.002+05:30

Although I’ve been active in the Blog world since around 8 long years, I’ve mostly written about movies and other stuff occasionally, but hardly ever a personal blog. Call it a coincidence, but the only other personal blog I’ve ever posted also relates to a HM - on my dismal outing in SCMM in 2010 which is my worst ever timing even for a walker.

So, what’s my purpose of writing this one: (1) To put in my memories of a first sub-3hr HM in words, so that I can revisit them and well; a first is always special for being a first you see and (2) I was never an athletic guy in school but started running reasonably only this year as a 30-year old. So, this one is for anyone out there who was a non-athlete and wants to do it, I sincerely hope that there is something to gain from reading this.

Half-hearted attempts

Back in 2004, I had no clue about the Mumbai Marathon. In 2005, some of those I knew went for the ‘dream run’ but I thought ‘OMG! 7km, that’s too much’. BTW, ‘Dream Run’ was a 7k run those days which later became a 6k run. In 2006, my registration didn’t go through. So, 2007 was my first attempt and for this, I tried running a bit on the treadmill in the Gym. For someone who had never run more than 1km continuously ever, it was an arduous task. In the end, I managed to jog 6k slowly with breaks on the event day. The 2008 was sillier since I had stopped going to the gym and walked the 6k.

My first Half Marathon came in 2009. Other than the effort to register for it, I had done nothing else. I never bothered to take the timing chip either since it wasn’t compulsory then. With zero training and taking a vacation a week before the event and only arriving in the city on the night before, it was destined to be awful. And, for some reason, I ended up carrying the goody bag all around the course. Obviously, I didn’t understand the seriousness of the distance; that it is not Dream Run x 3 and a little more. Since there was no chip, my estimate of the time, based on photos is roughly 03h:28m.

The rest of the three HMs were no better. 2010 SCMM was 03h:46m and 2011 SCMM was 03h:30m. Thane HM in February was the worst; I jogged my way till the U-turn and slowly walked the sunny hills for a finish which as per my guess was 03h:27m. The time limit was 3 hours and they had disconnected the timing mats by the time I reached there. This also proved that simply buying a new pair of Nike running shoes alone doesn’t help. And it was very irritating to have muscle soreness for at least 3 days after the event. Therefore began my fear of the HM and the obsession of breaking the 3hr barrier.

Fire Ignited

With a Nike+ sportband to track my runs, I started running in the neighborhood and this was just about 2-3km and did a 4-5k once or twice at Aarey. All this seemed to go nowhere. Just then, the big breakthrough came when I went for the 1^st Navi Mumbai Kharghar Hill Run in April. I was so naive to think that one only needed to run up the hill like some trekking expedition and there may be a bus to return. When I was told that one has to run both ways and the route involved an equal distance on flats, I was totally lost.

Finally, I went for it and did the Hill Loop in 01h:35m. But when I saw people doing a HM distance of the whole Hill+Flat course in around 2hrs and some doing the Hills twice and thrice, I was amazed. It was the first time that I ever saw people doing such distance with such proficiency and ease. And, the best part was that nobody there seemed to have any airs about their achievements and all of them were very approachable and so wonderful to talk to. Another interesting bit I saw was that running had nearly kept everybody looked so young and fit. What more motivation can one ask for?

Change the game plan

Back to my neighborhood runs, I was still in the quagmire of 3-4k runs. And then came the Bangalore 10k which I wanted to do in 01h:15m but could manage only 01h:19m. Surely there was something that I wasn’t doing right. Then at Navi Mumbai’s June run at Parsik Hill, I only did one hill loop of 7km, that too struggling on the return climb. When I again saw so many of them do it so well, I thought to myself “Look, you’ve anyway failed to learn regular sports like Tennis or Cricket. So, what makes you think that this will work?” At that point, I felt like giving it up and relying on joining a gym to keep fit.

But then, a solution seemed to emerge. I had read articles on the internet about walk-run-walk as a good starting point and I discussed it with a senior runner. On the next weekend, I went to Juhu Beach where he was practicing his many miles and I started off my first run-walk with a 01 minute run and 30 seconds walk alternatively. With a couple of breaks in between, I had done around 8km that day. Suddenly, this was a magic solution. When I confessed to this running ace that I wanted to do a sub-3hr HM, he asked: “02h:35m chalega kya?” I said “Really?” He said “Just practice, you can!”

More Motivation

Then came the weekly Saturday runs at Aarey, a wonderful group whom I got to meet through another accomplished runner. Out here, I became comfortable with a distance of 10-11km slow run for a weekend. With this I also became comfortable with 5-6km twice during the week. Between the Navi Mumbai and Aarey events, I guess I had met the biggest names among Mumbai’s marathoners. Their achievements, spirit, enthusiasm and courage that I got to see in the following months were tremendous.

There is one huge difference that I saw in this community that I didn’t come across when learning any other sport. It is the fact that everyone around is very encouraging without being judgmental about the fact that someone is a newbie. Also, it’s not like a team game where you constantly need to prove your worth so that you can find someone to play with and unless you find someone to play with, you can’t learn the game!

Learning about Strength & Core

After doing another 10k at IIT Powai where the distance is actually 10.416 in 01h:16m, I reasonably good about trying for a good HM. When I was still talking about my goal of a sub-3hr HM, another senior runner plainly told me that I was underestimating myself and I should look for a time that is twice of my 10k best + 10 minutes as the rough indicator and work towards it. If the time doesn’t work, then I’m either not doing my endurance, i.e. the long distance well enough or not training with weights.

This message had two effects. One, it was a great motivator to learn that I can look at a 02h:40m for a HM. Two, I got to learn about the importance of weight training. I’d heard experienced runners talk about ‘core strength’ but I had no practical idea about it helped. As the abs started getting a bit stronger, only around a month ago, I realized that stronger abs take the strain off the back muscles. I found more evidence to this while reading Danny Dreyer’s book on Chi-Running. So, doing big distances was not just about leg muscles working too hard but one has to find the energy from the core!

Two PBs in two weeks

Initially, I was thinking of running a HM at Kaveri Trail Marathon. But when I was told about the race being very hot due to lack of tree cover, I thought that a 10k is better. Anyways, I had registered for the Mysore HM two weeks after KTM so 10k was the best thing to do. A few weeks before it, I had faced IT Band syndrome for the first time and I was nervous. I kept away from running for around a week and followed it up with some trail running during late mornings to prepare for KTM. On the race day, I started off with a 01h:12-15m in mind. I didn’t bother to see the watch till I had crossed 7km and saw that it was just 49 mins. So, rough calculation showed that I can try out a 01h:10m. So, I pushed till the end and got a 01h:11m, my PB. By then the senior runner who had predicted 02h:40m suggested that I can even think of a 02h:30m HM. Cool!

And then came the Celebration Mysore HM which was the first of its kind event in Mysore as a part of the Dasara, which is the state festival in Karnataka. Even days prior to the Mysore HM, I was sure that the race would have a delayed start and a few other glitches. But since RFL was a consultant to the event, I was told that it would be fine.

The inhibiting factors in the run up to the event were a bad cold which needed ‘Sinarest’ for three days. Also, during the week, I had a very bad neck sprain and had a problem sleeping properly nearly till Saturday. One mid-week run that I planned to do on Tuesday was also skipped. It was only a miracle that I didn’t face them on raceday morning.

As predicted, the race start was delayed by around 30 mins as waited for some starlet and a politico to inaugurate it. Just then, the sun had started showing its head just emerging from the clouds, against the early morning sky. Those that had lined up for the HM booed the people causing the delay. The worst of all was that the people inaugurating it staged a mock run for the camera, a total mockery of the event! As it started, the weather became kinder and stayed cloudy till the end; thankfully!!

The Mysore HM route had some amount of elevation changes that necessitated some careful planning. I calculated a pace chart for a 02h:51m finish and scribbled it on my

hand. But, as the race progressed, I was on a 30-second walk-run plan for the first hour. Then, I ran in intervals with running breaks. After I finished 10-11km, I was telling myself to forget the first part of the race and that the rest is just a 10k. And at 16k, I reassured myself that the distance left is just 5k, equivalent to a weekday run and to go for it. Towards the last 4km, there was a bit of ache in the leg muscles, but it was manageable. In the end, it was a pleasant and an unexpected surprise to finish in 02h:39m.

So, the key learning from this was that it is important to have splits planned out in advance so that one doesn’t go to fast in the first half. Second, even though most of the field has run away already, there is no point in tried to go as fast as them as each of them is on their own plan and have their own fitness goals.

This is not the End

There are neither concluding remarks nor memorable quotes here. This is just one man’s personal account of getting around a few mental blocks and finding an alignment with something that is much more than just a way of keeping fit. I’d forever be grateful to all those wonderful people who have motivated and guided me along the way.

And for those who have asked me the question on losing pounds, hope this helps. And for anyone who wants to get away from the ‘office-TV-malls-movies-dozing-partying’ routine, I wish you try to make this a part of your life.

One thing that I’ve learnt is that, no matter the distance, it better be treated with respect. There are so many things that can go wrong, right from bad weather to a sprain or not drinking enough or drinking it in excess, after effects of food or anything else. And yes, about how much it costs in monetary terms, running definitely doesn’t come cheap.

As someone rightly said, the competition here is neither with those who set the records or great runners around your or those who never even bothered to try; that the only real competition is with oneself. Looking back at where I was a few months ago, I’m pleased!

Movie Review: Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (Hindi) 138

2011-09-13T15:12:00.000+05:30

When the title of this movie is so obvious, there can?t be much of suspense on what to expect from the movie. All that it has to be about is a groom?s brother falling for his brother?s fiancée. Bollywood had flirted with this theme earlier; with the Sharman Joshi, Chitrangada Singh Starrer ?Sorry Bhai?, which fell flat at the Box office.

So, what is new here? The starts are bigger and there?s a huge production house behind it. Adding spice to it are its songs and some comic moments.

Luv (Ali Zafar) has yet again had a break up and now wants to marry and settle down. He entrusts his brother Kush (Imran Khan) with the responsibility of finding him a bride which he does: an eccentric and wild Dimple (Katrina Kaif). While the run up to the wedding are on, Kush and Dimple discover that they?ve fallen for each other.

To make up for the predictable plot, the writers weave in a few attempted spoofs and references to other bollywood hits including Dabbang, Jodhaa Akbar, Padosan, etc. Despite it all, you know how it is supposed to end and since most situations are contrived or something you?ve seen in other movies, there are no surprises there.

Although Katrina isn?t much of an ?actor?, she has bettered herself this time around. If this move becomes any worthwhile, it is only because of her. You do see shades of Kareena?s ?Jab We Met?. Imran seems to back into familiar territory which is youthful romances. Ali Zafar who impressed audiences in last year?s film ?Tere Bin Laden? had to settle down in a supporting role while Imran and Katrina steal the limelight.

?Mere Brother Ke Dulhan? is not to be seen with high expectations. If you are in a mood for a quality movie, surely this is not the one for you. On the other hand, it?s neither a crass entertainer nor priyadrashan-style dumb slapstick. It?s slick and urban. And it doesn?t fall into the emotional-drama trap that most romances end up doing.

Although flawed, here?s why you can still watch it: It doesn?t have too many irritating characters; it is not excessively lengthy and doesn?t delve into sub-plots. The funny moments are evenly spread out and there are no sob-stories that can give you a headache. In all, it is packaged as a feel-good flick and when coupled with songs and laughs, it?s totally designed to keep the cash registers ringing.

Rating 6/10: A comedy that doesn?t hurt to watch

Movie Review: Aarakshan (Hindi) 137

2011-08-17T22:38:00.000+05:30

Prakash Jha has had a track record in making movies like ‘Gangajal’, ‘Rajneeti’ among others that are hard hitting and have got something to do with issues that make news. His latest is a movie whose title ‘Aarakshan’ suggests that it has something to do with caste-based reservations in India, an issue that raised a strorm about five years ago. If the promos were to be believed, Jha had a winner in hand.

But, in reality, the title is a misnomer as the principal plot in the story seems to deal with commercialization of education which is portrayed to be somehow strangely linked to reservation. Also, while this was a burning issue following the Supreme Court that was discussed in the movie, it may not have as many takers today.

So, what’s the story? Prabhakar Anand (Bachchan) is the principled Principal of a prestigious private college in Bhopal who treats all his students equally. He coaches weaker students in his verandah for free and the classes allow enough opportunity for his favorite pupil Deepak Kumar (Saif Ali Khan) to romance his daughter Poorbi (Deepika Padukone). Sushanth Seth (Prateik) also has his eyes on Poorbi.

When the reservation issue heats up, people are divided along caste lines and suddenly the relations between them are strained. Anand has his adversary in Mithilesh Singh (Manoj Bajpai) whose commercial coaching classes clash with his principles. A twist of events puts Prabhakar Anand’s beliefs to the test. And in the meantime, the film loses its way completely on what it wants to talk about.

The very fact that caste inequality persists even decades after independence is shameful. But, it is sad to see that a sensitive issue has been used only to promote the movie. Well, the movie does not take sides; whether pro-reservation or anti-reservation since it would not have been without commercial repercussions. Obviously the title and some provocative language were meant to only rake in the moolah.

On education its commercialization, if Prakash Jha wants people to believe that the proliferation of coaching classes has its origins in the nation’s reservation policy, he has definitely lost the plot. As a result, what you get it a ‘Baghban’esque lengthy film that seems to go nowhere. It has lectures on principles, conniving villains, treacherous friends and some kind hearted souls who attempt to engage you with some drama.

To its credit, its actors do a good job. Amitabh Bachchan successfully plays the idealistic disciplinarian and a committed teacher who is complemented by Saif Ali Khan as the feisty youngster working his way though a biased system and Manoj Bajpai, as usual is a bankable actor to play the villain. As usual, Deepika Padukone sleepwalks through her role and the script didn’t have much in store for Prateek.

I’d recommend that you let this one pass. It neither has a consistent storyline nor memorable songs nor a tight script. So, don’t reserve your seats for Aarakshan!

Rating 3/10: The film doesn’t know what it wants to tell

Movie Review: I am Kalam (Hindi) 136

2011-08-09T20:03:00.000+05:30

This week’s release, ‘I am Kalam’ has already bagged accolades at some international film festivals. It may not be far from the truth that Western audiences have an eye for movies portraying poverty in the less developed world. But, this film is different since its director Nila Madhab Panda keeps the story focused on the tale of a poor boy’s will to change his destiy rather than to dunk the story into predictable emotional trappings.

Chhotu is a young Rajasthani village boy whose poor family needs him to earn a living by working at a roadside dhaba run by Bhati (Gulshan Grover). Amidst a life of dishwashing and sundry chores, Chhotu impresses Bhati with his learning skills and wins the hearts of the dhaba’s multi-ethnic patrons with his language skills.

Across the street, he spots a boy sporting a crisp tie; it turns out to be the son of an erstwhile local ruler. Chhotu’s aspirations start to take shape. He wants to study, wear a tie and be successful. One day, he hears a televised address by Dr Kalam and is inspired by his story of hard work and promptly renames himself after his role model.

The movie becomes worthwhile thanks to its child stars Harsh Mayar as Chhotu and Hussan Saad as Ranvijay. The portrayal of the boys disregarding the class barrier and becoming good friends feels realistic. Here, writing too deserves credit as one doesn’t see oversmart kids with wisecracks, usually seen in movies starring kids.

The film also offers food for thought. There is a time in the movie when Bhati implores Chhotu not to fight with destiny, to which the boy retorts saying that he believes in his work over destiny! Although poor, the protagonist doesn’t envy the rich kid’s wealth; a contrast to this is portrayed in the talentless Laptan who envies Chhotu.

Among the supporting cast, Gulshan Grover is endearing as the dhaba owner who speaks broken English and Pitobash who impressed audiences as ‘Mandook’ in ‘Shor in the City’ gives the film its comic moments as he plays Laptan, the dhaba helper who thinks no less of himself than a Bollywood star. A French actress Beatrice Ordeix plays Lucie, a westerner who has made India her home and offers hope to Chhotu.

The film is not without shortcomings and they hit a low in an unrealistic scene where some of its characters are seen searching the megapolis of Delhi for one missing scrawny kid. Also, the cinematography could have been much better.

‘I am Kalam’ seems like a story told in world cinema in many different versions. Still, it has has enough to keep viewers engaged and impresses with its simple storytelling.

Rating 7/10: A simple tale that makes its point effectively

Movie Review: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Hindi) 135

2011-07-20T19:01:00.000+05:30

‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ or ZNMD is what you get when someone thinks of putting together some stars, a great location and a couple of songs but stay clueless about the rest. Some may compare this with Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ made a decade ago, but ZNMD made by his sister Zoya is nowhere close to it.

Three best friends, Kabir (Abhay Deol), a son of a rich builder, Arjun (Hrithik Roshan), a London broker and a self-made rich man and Imran (Farhan Akhtar) a not so rich ad-jingle writer set off on a trip to Spain to have the time of their lives before Kabir is wedded. As per their pact, each of them chooses an adventure sport that others have to take part in, but the sport is kept a secret till they actually do it.

Being a road-trip movie, ZNMD succeeds in taking audiences on a trip to Spain’s breathtaking locations previously unseen in mainstream Bollywood cinema. They make it a point to include some of the country’s popular festivals. To recreate the La Tomatina festival, the film makers reportedly shipped tons of tomatoes from Portugal. ‘Enciero’ or ‘Running of the Bulls’ at Pamplona is captured well too.

ZNMD is where audiences pay to watch three dudes having the time of their lives. In an attempt to build a story around the journey, each of them has an issue to deal with. Kabir is engaged but he isn’t sure if she is the right one. Arjun needs to know that there is more to life than money and Farhan has issues with his parentage.

Performances from the three leads are decent. Hrithik and Farhan show off their ripped abs at the slightest opportunity while Abhay Deol plays a victim of constant surveillance. Hrithik is seen mouthing a few lines in Spanish; something that he probably learned while shooting for ‘Kites’, a pathetic flop from last year.

Zoya and Javed Akhtar have spent their energies in making Farhan’s role meaningful on screen. While the former guarantees him screentime as the director, the latter’s Urdu poetry brings out the deeper side to his character’s outwardly funny disposition. Farhan brings in the laughs with his effortless dialog delivery as the charming flirt.

Among the lead ladies, Kalki plays her part well as the annoying and suspicious fiancée. Katrina was hired to enjoy the vacation with the boys and spend a couple of minutes making a feeble attempt to act while giving her little speech to Hrithik on making more out of life. Also, there is a Spaniard who plays Farhan’s love interest.

An indulgent film that it is, ZNMD seems to float at its own pace without a care in the world. It probably needed more scissor-work. And there are some goofs like having first time sky-divers, they are shown to be diving alone and making formations in their very first jump. Then there is a father-son drama that slows the pace.

ZNMD is a youthful, feel good movie with not much of a story to tell. Those keen to catch a glimpse of Spain or Hrithik’s fan brigade may like it.

Rating 5/10: An indulgent movie that encourages people to visit Spain

Movie Review: Murder 2 (Hindi) 134

2011-07-13T00:04:00.000+05:30

‘Murder’, the 2004 flick was about crimes of passion. But this one has nothing to do with the first and is more of a thriller about a serial killer on the loose, a guy who can remind you of Buffalo Bill from ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. A bit of google search seems to suggest that the movie is inspired by the Korean film ‘The Chaser’.

Serial kisser Emran Hashmi plays Arjun, an ex-cop with hands deep into Goa’s crimeworld. When a pimp finds that his girls have gone mysteriously missing, he hires to Arjun to investigate. Our hero seems to be his last resort since the police establishment is too busy investigating high profile cases and can’t be bothered about a few missing call-girls during the festive Christmas & New Year season.

A trap is laid out and a teenager Reshma played by television actress and debutante Sulagna Panigrhi is sent as bait. Arjun zeroes in on Dheeraj Pandey, a mentally deranged with past about his gender preferences. But the cops can’t hold him in custody without evidence and seek Arjun’s help to gather evidence to nail him. His race against time to save the last victim forms the remainder of the movie.

And then of course, amidst all of this, there’s the romantic track of Arjun and Priya (Jaqueline Fernandes) in the background finding a meaning to their relationship. Both of them lack the chemistry making this look forced and added only for sleaze value.

The plot has numerous holes. For one, it’s odd that a pimp who keeps records of his clients and girls is not able to connect the dots and trace the missing girls it to the same phone number. Also, there is deluge of bloodshed that makes it darker is not complemented by acting talent worsened by some awful writing. What you get as a result is a film that is just over two hours long but seems to drag on forver.

Emran Hashmi has clichéd and repetitive lines that he mouths with a deadpan expression often associated with his act. The Lankan beauty queen turned actress Jaqueline Fernandes is equisite but acting is not one of her skills. Prashant Narayanan though steals the show with his bone-chilling performance as the villain.

But, one cant write-off Murder 2 just as yet. As usual with Bhatt camp, its songs come to its rescue. Songs like ‘Haal-E-Dil’, Yana Gupta’s item number ‘Aa Zara’, ‘Aye Khuda’ and ‘Phir Mohabbat’ played in the end credits are worth listening to.

The name ‘Murder 2’ is a misnomer since there is no continuation in the story, characters or locations. Just as this flick, the Bhatts had done it before with ‘Raaz 2’ merely to hitch a ride on the successful flicks that preceeded the sloppy sequels.

So, is it worth watching Murder 2? Definitely not! But it’s another story altogether if you want to watch its songs on the big screen or gaze at Jaqueline Fernandes.

Rating 3/10: Pointless movie salvaged only by its songs

Movie Review: Delhi Belly (Hindi/ English) 133

2011-07-03T23:44:00.002+05:30

Shot on a meager budget, Aamir Khan would be laughing all the way to the bank as Delhi Belly seems all set to be ranked among this year’s most memorable films. Off-beat cinema doesn’t need much money to make and doesn’t have to be star-studded and it’s where success means bucks and failure doesn’t hurt much. Like the others of its kind, Delhi Belly too would work only in multiplexes and it’s only for adults.

Set in Delhi, Tashi (Imran Khan), Arun (Vir Das) & Nitin (Kunal Roy Kapur) are friends leading normal lives as a journalist, advertising illustrator and photographer respectively. They live in an abomination of a bachelor pad and dodge their landlord for rent. A package with unknown contents enters their lives as Sonia (Shenaz Treasurywala) who’s doing her friend a favor, asks fiancé Tashi to make a delivery.

The package changes hands and what seems like a normal day is all set to go for a toss. Nitin gorges on roadside chicken which gives him a diarrhea and needs a stool test. Arun who takes on the delivery job mixes-up the parcel with Nitin’s stool sample. Meanwhile, Tashi is at a party with colleague Menaka (Poorna Jagannathan) and gets roughed up by her ex-husband. That’s not all and it’s about to get worse!

The wrong delivery angers the local smuggler (Vijay Raaz) who promptly chases down the protagonists who seem to have the Russian Matryoshka doll containing diamonds. In their tryst with goons, greedy jewelers, cops, a philandering landlord, bad romance et al they get their taste of Delhi’s underbelly. Result: a laughing audience.

Predominantly in ‘Hinglish’, it has two versions. The English version I saw was loaded with swearwords which could have had more punch in Hindi. Also, it relies on shock-value for humor which puts it among the likes of ‘The Hangover’. This one though, has an abundance of bad-tummy acoustics. One may say it has nothing new, but one can’t deny that it is entertaining. But for sure, this is not for family viewing.

Delhi Belly doesn’t really have much of Delhi in it, barring an occasional shot showing the Delhi Metro. So, why is it called ‘Delhi Belly’? Is it because our characters have a brush with the city’s underbelly? Or was it all about Nitin’s troubled tummy?

Other contrived stuff includes the trio’s filthy accommodation. Considering that three of them who seem to be reasonably well employed, didn’t they find a better place to live in? Per se, a place like that can be more hazardous than street-food. The vehicles they use are unnecessarily made to look battered down or extremely old.

The songs have done their job in promoting Delhi Belly. While there is no character called DK Bose in the movie, ‘Bhaag DK Bose’ has been deviously inserted only to create a buzz. ‘Jaa Chudail’, ‘Nakadwale Disco, Udharwale Khisko’ are noteworthy as is Aamir Khan’s disco number ‘I hate you, like I love you’ towards the end.

But, let me warn you, Humor is relative and so is Delhi Belly’s likeability.

Rating 8/10: Shockingly comical

Movie Review: Transformers: Dark of the Moon (3D/ English) 132

2011-06-29T15:43:00.002+05:30

Live-action Transformers movies make great business sense not just at the box office but also for Hasbro’s merchandise. With the action getting bigger in every version, ‘Dark of the Moon’ aka Transformers-3 is a typical Micheal Bay movie, which promises loads of action which, as usual is scantily clad with a semblance of a story.

Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), the central character in the first two films has now finished schooling and looking for a job. He has also moved cities and also to a new girlfriend Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whitley). Sam and the Autobots dive into the thick of the plot when the truth behind moon explorations is apparently revealed as an investigation into a crashed Cybertronian spacecraft on the dark side of the moon.

Sentinel Prime is a key character inlusion as Optimus’ mentor and Cybertronian genius who his keen on using advanced technology to revive his planet and also brings a twist in the story. The one-eyed serpertine cannon bot Shockwave is TF3’s most formidable antagonist. Old enemy Megatron has lost his edge but not his ambitions and moves around as a rusty old truck with a cowl covering the injury inflicted by Optimus in TF2.

The film’s selling point is its special effects, largely shot in stereoscopic 3D which deserves unreserved applause for the resultant spectacle. Intricate action sequences are slowed down for detail and camera angles are simply great. The freeway chase that features in most of Bay’s movies is seen again though. With more bots and the threat of imminent global danger make the climax worthwhile.

Nevertheless, there is a lot missing with the script and acting. The flow is also affected by poor transitions between action and storytelling. Sudden cuts in some action sequences and the lucky bunny romance scene that suddenly pops up from nowhere are just a few examples. Also, some of its humor is downright silly.

Sam’s character that was central to the story in the earlier movies as he held maps or clues that either group was chasing. Here, the battle has nothing to do with him and all that LaBeouf has to do is to play his usual scared hero. Megan Fox’s replacement, Rosie brings in her charm, but none too comparable to Fox. Both something in common though; they’re both equally awful at acting.

And, nearly everyone else is just a caricature. Be it those reprising their roles such as Josh Duhamel as the army commander or John Torturro as the former Agent turned author who aren’t critical to the story or new new faces such as the largely wasted John Malkovich or a nervous Ken Jeong of Hangover fame. A significant exception is, Patrick Dempsey as Carly’s moneyed boss with a deeper secret to his role.

Clearly, it’s a case of special effects donning the role of a back-seat driver. But, full marks for special effects, the lone pillar on which the Transormers edifice stands.

Rating 6/10: Scores for action and special effects alone

Movie Review: Bheja Fry 2 (Hindi) 131

2011-06-18T21:58:00.000+05:30

A low key ‘Bheja Fry’ was a runaway hit in 2007 and a lesser known Vinay Pathak was catapulted to comic stardom. Despite the fact that it was lifted straight from a French film, it had the audience laughing their hearts out. Pathak again dons the role of the stupid-irritating-talkative-singer-taxman Bharat Bhushan in ‘Bheja Fry 2’.

The story begins by introducing Ajit Talwar (Kay Kay Menon), a successful businessman albeit with fishy dealings and an eye for pretty women. Ace taxman MT Shekharan (Suresh Menon) has Talwar in his crosshairs and is all set to nab him. Meanwhile, Bharat Bhushan is on a TV show where the audience loves his antics. Bhushan’s popularity wins him the prize money and a holiday on a cruise-liner.

Events unfold and the plot eventually leads Talwar and Bhusan to a marooned island, shot in Bintan, Indonesia where the lost duo meets a madcap photographer Raghu Burman (Amol Gupte) who loves Bhushan’s singing. Shekharan who’s on a chase adds to the melee. A twist here and there leads to an ending that seems quite pointless.

In the absence of an ‘inspiration’, it appeared as if the filmmakers were lost about how to take it forward. Vinay Pathak becomes Bharat Bhushan, but his humor is predictable. One can find parallels with his role as Manu Gupta in ‘Chalo Dilli’.

Suresh Menon isn’t as effective as Ranveer Shorey was in the first. Kay Kay Menon was as good as Rajat Kapoor was but didn’t have a supporting character like that of Milind Soman’s. Minisha Lamba was only supposed to look pretty.

The first half had the perfect setting: a corrupt and womanizing corporate honcho, a funding hungry channel owner, reality TV, some adultery, a couple of tax sleuths who are best buddies but with opposing attitudes towards work, and all on a cruise liner for a weekend. But, the second half lost itself on the island as did its lead its characters.

Seen stand-alone, it is a sub-standard screenplay which didn’t use good actors like Kay Kay Menon, Vinay Pathak or even Amol Gupte. On whether it justifies the genre it belongs to, ‘Bheja Fry 2’ is quite funny at times, although not as funny as the first one was. Still, the actors manage to hold the plot together despite its flaws.

Nonetheless, it is better than the multitude of senseless Akshay Kumar comedies that only ride on stars and item numbers. To sum up, Bheja Fry 2 isn’t well cooked, but it won’t hurt your tummy! But a wee bit of finesse could’ve made it much better.

Rating 4/10: Had the potential, but totally loses the plot

Movie Review: X-Men: First Class (English) 130

2011-06-14T22:00:00.002+05:30

The success of the prequel, X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009 seems to have prompted the movie makers to shift focus to prequels. In First Class, the story goes back even further and traces the lives of Professor-X/ Charles Xavier and Magneto/ Erik Lehnsherr, their friendship and their eventual fallout.

Although the X-Men trilogy had done good business in the last decade, prolonging the same would have meant more battles between Xavier’s X-men and Magneto’s Brotherhood of mutants on their differences on how to deal with humans. But, in a prequel, the story can be altered; which is conveniently explained as a ‘reboot’.

The film introduces us to young Erik Lenhsherr who loses his parents during the holocaust. The rage triggers his mutant powers of magnetism which the Nazis seek to tame. Cut to his adulthood, a grown up Erik (Michael Fassbender) seeks revenge. Simultaneously, we are shown Charles Xavier’s (James McAvoy) opulent childhood, his gift for mind-control and growing up with Raven/ Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence).

Set in the 60’s during the Cuban missile crisis, it involves a fictional plot with Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) who is keen to trigger World War III and usher in a mutant rule. We are shown that Shaw was formely the German official who spotted Erik’s powers and is a mutant supervillian. The CIA seeks Xavier’s help to tackle Shwaw. Erik and Xavier’s paths converge as they join hands to thwart Shaw.

In a way, the story belongs to Magneto. He’s not shown to be a villain but someone who carries scars of the holocaust which, in a way, hasdesensitized him from connecting with humans. Fassbender’s lone-wolf portryal, michavellian approach, styling and a Cold War backdrop bear an uncanny resemblance to James Bond flicks. Needless to say, he’s done exceedingly well to carry off his role.

James McAvoy is credible as the mentor to his creed and also helping Erik harness his powers sans rage. Curiously, barring Xavier’s British accent, none of the others, especially Erik & Shaw seem to speak with an accent reflecting their ancestry. Other characters like Raven, Emma Frost or Hank had the potential but weren’t emphasized.

As much as the story took its liberties, the end couldn’t have been anything else. Magneto had to turn against humans and Xavier had to end up in a wheelchair. The problem is that the ending looks rushed and hardly spends much time on the ‘why’ of things, and that too parting ways when their mentor, Xavier was badly hit.

First Class also differs from its predecessors since it doesn’t rely excessively on special effects or high octane thrills associated with this genre. Still, it has people flying, disappearing, a bit of fire, ships and people levitated, etc., all without a minute being wasted. It offers enough to satiate action-hungry fans. In all, it’s a worthwhile watch.

Rating 7/10: Quality acting and a fresh story!

Movie Review: The Hangover: Part II (English) 129

2011-05-30T19:23:00.002+05:30

Precisely two years ago, ‘The Hangover’ had swept the audience off their feet with its cleverly written humor and making a sequel is a humongous challenge. But Todd Phillips and his team seem to have run out of ideas and merely copy-pasted the first film. Essentially, the cast and the conflict are retained and only the setting is changed.

So, what are the changes? Vegas tuns into Bangkok; the tiger is now a drug dealing monkey; istead of the groom, the bride’s teenage brother goes missing; it’s an old monk instead of an abandoned baby; Stu falls for a stripper then, now err, ahem, let’s leave it unsaid; Stu’s girlfriend was mean back then and it’s his father-in-law belittling him now; spiked drink then, drugged marshmallows now; the list is endless.

Stu is all set to be married to Lauren (Jamie Chung) in Bangkok. Not wanting to face another disaster, Stu limits the celebrations to a bachelor brunchand keeps Alan away, only letting him in later, albeit reluctantly. After a ‘just one drink’ night by the bonfire, the suddenly wake up in a seedy hotel in Bankok’s bylanes. Like the first film, the rest of the story is about finding their friend and making it to the wedding.

Those who have seen the first will find nothing new in the second and newbies may miss out on humor having roots in the original. The film does have some genuinely funny moments, like Alan’s dinner speech and Stu’s song on the boat, but those come between long lulls. The lack of surprise is covered up with explicit scenes and dark stuff like chopped fingers and a guy losing pulse that are unfunny.

The cast is the same and their roles don’t change much. Zach Galifianakis as Alan, the weirdo is still the star, but hasn’t he become predictable? Remember his similar role in ‘Due Date’, again by the same director? Bradley Cooper continues as the more balanced Phil and Ed Helms is still awimp who manages a show of temper towards the end. Ken Jeong has a bigger role as Mr Chow that has been played over the top.

Even if the movie makers were granted a benefit of doubt that the audience expected too much, it doesn’t absolve them of the responsibility to come up with something good. They could have experimented with Doug in a bigger role or getting Alan married. And Bangkok is not ‘some asian city’ as they call it when it is a bustling metropolis.

Per se, it doesn’t really hurt to watch it since it’s better than many braindead comedies. But in giving it a chance, you could be flirting with disappointment.

Rating 4/10: Lazy piece of work that reeks of mediocrity

Corruption, Lokpal, Strikes & Aam Janta

2011-05-11T00:53:00.001+05:30

India is unique and so is our reactivity to similar situations albeit packed differently and so does the media. If two major mass movements in the recent weeks were to be considered a representative sample, there is enough cause for concern.

On one hand, there was a carefully orchestrated fast by a self-styled Gandhian and ‘cap’ped crusader Anna Hazare that fit into the slot between India’s World Cup win and the domestic cricket mela, read IPL. On the other had, were Air India’s pilots striking work to demand a probe into allegations of corruption in the national carrier.

Head-to-head, a lone septuagenarian going on a fast against almighty Government to get them to bring in a supposed panacea evokes more public sympathy than a bunch of well-paid and high-flying folk striking work. It didn’t matter that the two were fighting or at least claimed to fight the same devil, ‘Corruption’!

Thanks to email, SMS, facebook, twitter et al, Anna Hazare was propelled from being the reformer of his village in Maharashtra to the national stage. To the regular educated, internet literate middle class that is hassled by sundry bribes on streets to news about big scams, what Anna promised was a dream-come-true; especially since it suited our laid-back mindset where all we had to do is click ‘like’ on facebook.

One need not elaborate on the evils of corruption or the pains that one has to go through for simple things that people in developed nations can access so easily. It could be a ration card, a driving license, a minor traffic offense, shipping or receiving a parcel at a train station, verification for a passport, just to name a few. One has to have ‘jugaad’ at the right places or push a few bucks to walk away from any of these situations.

But, why does this worry the middle class alone? The rich have tons of money that gives them power to change ministers and governments. The poor are regular voters and can change political fortunes. It’s the middle class that pays bribes with a sense of helplessness but is ever ready to criticize politics without bothering to vote.

Nearly everyone was carried away by the hysteria that surrounded Anna’s fast and that the results came out so soon. But, a bit of digging around this topic, about the man behind it and racking one’s grey cells brings up a lot of issues. While I have relied on the internet to gather facts, let the naysayer not discount it; for he/she has been relying on the very same media to eulogize Anna and the panacea he peddled.

Firstly, we are a democracy. Before we call our politicians evil, we must remember Aristotle’s famous words “Every country gets the government it deserves”. If one alleges that the wrong bunch is in power here, it is because we Indians voted themto power.

If one were to extend Aristotle’s logic further, only a corrupt set of voters can elect corrupt governments. So, what do voters accept as bribes? It could be free liquor, few currency notes, cheap rice, free electricity and sometimes televisions or laptops! Phew! Would the Lokpal register cases against such voters? Anna, do you have an answer?

There’s another bunch that prefers to use the polling day as a holiday or an extended weekend. When one does that, the moral right to question electoral results is lost. Also, it is up to us to ensure that our names are in the electoral rolls. It takes a bit of effort, yes; but it is surely worth it. Better still, if someone feels one can do better, go on and get your hands dirty and contest the polls. To change the system, get into the system first!

Secondly, continuing on the principles of democracy, the idea of a super-government consisting of self certified good guys who have been ratified by elite intelligentsia that is unconnected with common man’s issues is ludicrous. This, in itself undermines the power of the people and their ability to govern themselves effectively.

If Bharat Ratnas and Nobel Laureates of Indian origin are to be the jury, how could we rely on a Lata Mangeshkar or an Amartya Sen or VS Naipaul being keen to help or being able to choose the right guy? How can we be sure that this elite bunch has the welfare of ‘aam janta’ as their mission? Remember Lata Mangeshkar’s reported opposition to the proposed Peddar Road flyover just because it would disturb her elite abode?

And what about the credibility of the self-elected err self-nominated members of the civil society? More than a decade ago, Anna Hazare was sentenced to 3 months in prison for defaming a minister and none is clear about the legal process that was followed to pardon him. Coming to the Bhushans, having two members of the same family is in itself dubious. The CD controversy is the icing on the cake. What do these guys really want?

Anna transformed his village and became its presiding deity. While this piece good work gets the publicity it deserves, another piece of information reported less often is that his village doesn’t have elections! So, how do they pick their village headman? Answer: consensus. But, how can sentient beings not have even an iota of dissent unless such dissenters are snubbed by ‘someone’ who doesn’t believe in democracy?

Third, protests like these are acceptable in a dictatorial regime or under severe oppression. It worked wonders when Mahatma Gandhi did it to liberate India from foreign forces. But, in a well functioning democracy, fast unto death is black-mail.

Comparing him with Mahatma Gandhi is weird in itself. In fact his style of authorizing goons to beat up drunkards who fail to heed his diktat as his way of curbing alcoholism in his village is questionable. If that were to be true, one can only wonder what he could do to urban folk to visit pubs. This would make the ‘Ram Sene’ guys look like toddlers!

The biggest problem with Anna’s campaign was his “my way or the highway” approach. His solution to the problem is clearly flawed and will create a mess bigger than any democracy can handle. But, there was no room for dissent or an exchange of ideas. In the absence of a debate about Jan Lokpal Bill’s efficacy, his protest itself didn’t have the principles of democracy at its heart. Wonder what more goof-ups the Bill has in store.

Now, let’s talk about our ill fated national carrier. The questions that Air India's striking pilots are asking are very pertinent. But, they're unlucky that they don't have the media backing them, unlike Anna’s. Barring an odd piece of coverage or a debate, nobody is talking about the issues. The only thing everyone talks of is to privatize it! And, in all 10 days of the strike, why didn’t any of the anti-corruption crusaders even speak a word?

Is Air India really so bad? In my opinion, there isn’t much that the other airlines are offering that is better than what Air India does. In fact, the latter has better food, keeps its schedules and its flights are mostly full too. But, guess what, for some strange reason, it is unglamorous to fly this as compared to Kingfisher or Jet Airways.

Even if Air India’s pilots had not raised the issue this way, some of its commercial actions definitely looked fishy. Good time-slots and routes that Air India flew on were cancelled. Those were promptly taken up by its competitors. The merger of erstwhile Air India and Indian Airlines itself didn’t look convincing.

But, why didn’t any crusader raise a voice against this? Was it not worth their time or was it too trivial? If it was not worth their time, then they aren’t fighting the cause. And if the allegations were too trivial, then how can they ask common people to trust them?

And why didn’t people bother to react to the issues that were raised? Well, it’s again our typical middle class Indian mindset of not being bothered by anything that doesn’t affect us directly. In fact, these were just two events that were drawn out for illustration and there could be many related events. The point is that as long as selective apathy exists in the system, we cannot really expect a paradigm shift in the political system.

For an endnote, we should be happy that India, despite all its flaws is not a Libya or Egypt or some banana republic ruled by drug-lords. We are far away from the Scandinavian standards of clean governance or human development; but we need to get there sooner or later. But the million dollar question is: ‘how?’

A nation like ours that is overpopulated and battered by invasions and plundering over centuries has not only lost its material wealth but also its culture. In our nation, we have got used throwing garbage on streets, urinating and defecating and expecting the government to clean it up. We don’t care about traffic lights until there is a cop there.

So, what our nation needs is loads of self discipline. We need to find an ideal mix between our ancient values and scientific ways and discipline of the west to move forward. People must be awakened and empowered enough not to accept cash to exercise their right to vote as citizens or to pay bribes to get things done. Only such an awakened populace can produce leaders that reflect the same ethos and energy.

This must begin with small steps, i.e. through a change of heart. I’d rather wish that those backing movements such as these inspire and educate people to do their bit in actual service rather than asking people to show solidarity by fasting at home. If joining politics sounds difficult, common folk could start by contributing by working in the public sector or working to bring about a change in one’s own surroundings.

Can India do it? Can we help ourselves? Or do we need another avatar of Buddha or Christ or Vivekananda to awaken us from our slumber?

Movie Review: Dum Maro Dum (Hindi) 128

2011-04-26T22:41:00.003+05:30

Possibly Ramesh Sippy’s biggest miscalculation was thinking that Deepika dancing to a sloppily rehashed mix of a cult pothead number would add up to a big opening for ‘Dum Maro Dum’. For one, the song was trashed outright and so was Deepika’s wannabe item act. The launch never brought in the much needed ‘high’.

Obviously inspired in part by reports of murders that rocked India’s beach paradise, Goa a few years ago, the film makes an attempt to pack-in just about everything in two hours. There’s crime, drugs, drama, romance, action and suspense! Busy as they were, concoting this heady cocktail, the filmmakers simply forgot to make it coherent.

Dum Maro Dum opens with the story of a college going, football loving teen Lorry (Prateik Babbar) who loses a schorlarship and misses out on joining his sweetheart who goes to study abroad. His vulnerability is put to use by the drug mafia who convince him to carry contraband in his luggage. A maze of events leads to Lorry being apprehended at the Airport by ACP Vishnu Kamath (Abhishek Bachchan).

Before it can go any further, the film cuts to a flash back by each of its key characters leading to the present timeline. The melee includes a ruthless cop Kamath seeking redemption for his corrupt past, a musician Joki (Rana Daggubati) who quietly pines the loss of his love Zoe (Bipasha Basu), a multilingual airhostess to the drug kingpin Lorsa Biscuita (Aditya Pancholi). Ah, well, what a name for a villain, ‘Biscuita’!

The film succeeds at portraying the muck of the drug world replete with international cartels, rave parties along with some glamour to spice up the screen. A good bit of suspense is created around a shady character that our protagonists are up against. If someone hasn’t revealed it to you yet, I’m sure it isn’t easy to guess.

Where it falters is in the way the story unfolds. While some are indulgent, some take you away from the plot and coming around when the scene ends at the airport. The frequent cuts keep you away from following and empathizing with its characters.

On the other hand, some performances are impressive. Although Abhishek Bachchan is not someone who is a benchmark for acting skills, he delivers a sincere performance. Rana Daggubati who hails from a prominent Telugu filmy lineage thoroughly makes his mark as Joki. The others complement them effectively.

While Dum Maro Dum may not be a winner, it’s not terrible either. Surely, it was a gutsy act on the part of the producers to release it in the thick of the ongoing cricket season. You won’t regret spending a couple of hours on this entertainer.

Rating 5/10: A tale of ‘pot’ sans the ‘high’

Movie Review: Black Swan (English) 127

2011-03-11T21:40:00.000+05:30

When a movie is marketed with Oscar hype, it sure creates a lot of buzz. Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Black Swan’ did manage the hype. But, was it worth the hype?

When a New York ballet company fires an old performer, Beth (Winona Ryder), it opens up a slot for a new lead in for its next production, Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake’. Its Director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) wants his new star to portray both, the Swan Queen Odette, the white swan and her evil-twin Odile, the black swan.

Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a senior ballerina with the troupe is selected for the role. But, Leroy is still not convinced if the uptight Nina can play the sensuous Odile. She has competition in Lily (Mila Kunis) and an overbearing mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) to deal with. The pressure drives Nina to psychotic hallucinations.

The theme was undoubtedly bulletproof. The idea of capturing the emotional roller coaster that an artist goes through in his/ her quest for perfection had the potential to make a great thriller. But, what you get instead is a mélange of backstage jealousy, some risqué scenes between the lead women and a touch of insanity.

It’s strange that a ballet themed flick doesn’t actually show the lead actors performing it any more than Portman waving her emaciated arms with close ups of her woe begone face completely lacking expression. Frankly, there is very little charm about her even as the ‘White Swan’. To her credit, Portman shed 20 pounds and learnt Ballet. But, barring her ‘Black Swan’ avatar towards the end, there wasn’t much to her acting.

Rather, Mila Kunis as the ‘comfortable in her own skin’ Lily, also Nina’s substitute seemed a better candidate if someone really wanted his play to run steadily for the whole season. Incidentlally, Kunis too lost as many pounds as her friend Portman who recommended her to the role. Vincent Cassel shines as the dictatorial director who pushes Nina to do her best and instead pushes her off the edge of sanity.

Having said that, ‘Black Swan’ isn’t in fact bad; just that it falls below what I expected it to be. To make an intense film that combines sheer passion of art with the devilish depths of insanity is in itself a great challenge. Aronfsky has made intense films in the past a la ‘A requirem for a Dream’. This one is decent, but could have been better.

Rating 6/10: Great concept; execution is not worth the hype

Movie Review: True Grit (English) 126

2011-03-11T21:39:00.001+05:30

A brutal murder, an escaped convict and a scorned kin avenging the death had been a running theme in yesteryear India cinema, especially the 70’s and the 80’s. What you get with Coen Brothers’ True Grit is something similar, but with a Western flavor.

After her father was murdered and robbed by his handyman, 14-year old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is determined to find the killer Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Wanting to settle for no less than the toughest US Marshall around, she hires the one-eyed, old and drunken Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) for his apparent ‘true grit’.

They are joined in the quest by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) who wants to take Chaney dead or alive to Texas where he is wanted for another murder. Cogburn and LaBoeuf are keen to do it themselves and keep the young girl away. The vengeful and tenacious Mattie wants Chaney dead too, but not for other crimes; she would rather kill him for her own reasons. It is her ‘true grit’ that we get to see.

The film is based on a 1968 novel of the same name by Charles Portis. A film of the same name made in 1969 starred John Wayne as Cogburn, a performance that won him an Oscar. The 2010 version too bagged ten nominations but won none.

Successful moviemakers Joel and Ethan Coen ensure that there is never a moment where it loses neither its plot nor feels draggy. The sharp dialog packs in a punch; can’t really have a western flick without slick dialog, you see. The story is about guts plus heart; and this one does it without overdone machismo or sentimental stuff.

Hailee Steinfeld who plays the 14-year old Mattie Ross was cast for the role from among 15,000 hopefuls in a nation-wide casting call for a ‘simple, tough-as-nails, young woman in post-Civil War Arkansas’. Her stellar debut performance holds the movie together. The Oscar nomination was thoroughly deserved.

Acclamined Jeff Bridges makes a mark with Rooster Cogburn. Matt Damon’s LaBeouf and Barry Pepper’s ‘Lucky’ Ned Pepper deliver some of the movie’s moments. We get to see very little of Josh Brolin. Probably, a few more minutes about his bad side would have helped the audience appreciate the emotional side of the protagonists.

In all, what you have here is a well made western. It has an outlaw, three gun trotting folks on horseback and a chase through mountains and forests. Worthwhile!

Rating 8/10: A Quintessential western!

Movie Review: Tanu Weds Manu (Hindi) 125

2011-02-28T21:09:00.002+05:30

The movie tagline calls it a celebration of a perfect mismatch. They achieve this by casting a seemingly opposite actors, an unbridled Kangana as Tanu paired with a soft spoken Madhavan as Manu. It promises romance with a bit of comedy.

Keen on arranging a marriage, Manu, an NRI doctor is taken by his parents to meet Tanu at Kanpur. Strage as it may seem, Manu nods a yes to a knocked out Tanu and loses his heart to her. While the families set the wedding ball rolling, Tanu asks a heartbroken Manu to cancel the marriage since she is already in love.

Not keen on choosing another girl, Manu is all set to leave the country. Just then, a wedding invite takes him to Punjab where he meets Tanu by chance. This time though, she plays him on, but asking him to be there when she weds her man. The rest of the story unfolds as it travels between Delhi, Punjab, Lucknow and Kanpur.

But since the title tells us that Tanu would wed Manu, an alternate ending was unlikely. But, going by the endless twists that the movie has, I wouldn’t have been really surprised if Kangana’s Tanu disappeared with a third guy in the end!

But, one can’t really call them a mismatched couple. Though different in outwardly ways, the characters seek something that they find in each other. A rebellious Tanu wanted someone who would accept her with her wild ways while a demure Manu led such a boring life that he wanted someone spontaneous enough to spice it up.

Among the leads, the queen of ‘Girl, Interrupted’ roles, Kangana Ranaut comes across as a natural; her foul lines, brashness and brazenly being a potheaded drunkard are precise. Madhavan as her doormat does fine, but his role came with limitations.

Some of its best comic moments, though come from Deepak Dobriyal’s ‘Pappi’, Madhavan’s friend and sidekick. His comic timing with the ‘Jai Mata Di’ chants when Manu describes his discovery of the true Tanu is hilarious. On the other hand, Jimmy Shergill as the goon ‘Raja’ is overdone and sticks out like a sore thumb.

To sum up, while the first half of ‘Tanu weds Manu’ is thoroughly watchable for the ‘I don’t traverse the beaten path’ style, the second half is extremely boring. I wish the film makers had found a way around to keep it live till the end; but they don’t.

Rating 5/10: An entertaining beginning but a boring second half

Movie Review: No Strings Attached (English) 124

2011-02-28T21:08:00.002+05:30

‘No Strings Attached’ is a rehash of a concept beaten down to pulp a zillion times in Hollywood. Countless movies have played upon the theme of a couple starting off on a strictly physical relationship but end up in love.

Adam (Ashton Kutcher) and Emma (Natalie Portman) play old friends who bump into each other in Los Angeles and exchange numbers. While Adam works on a TV show and is an aspiring screenwriter, Emma works as a resident in a local hospital.

On a drunken night after having found that his ex-girlfriend has hooked up with his father, Adam calls up every girl on his phone seeking the obvious. The next morning, he finds himself at Emma’s apartment. Emma, who doesn’t believe in relationships, has a proposition for him: to use each other as ‘friends with benefits’.

Interestingly, there is film titled ‘Friends with Benefits’ starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis set to release this year. So much so for rehashed concepts.

While the arrangement works well in the beginning, Adam starts taking more interest in Emma, especially getting jealous when he sees her with a fellow resident. Obviously, she doesn’t like it. Nevertheless, the audience is never told the reason for her aversion to relationships. Instead, it tries to thrive by bringing in some comedy.

After things seem to start getting mushy, the couple part ways. But, it doesn’t take too long for Emma to feel for Adam either. Then, when Adam attempts to hang out with other girls, Emma barges in and drives the girls away.

While these flicks have worked in the past culminating in a romantic ending, it gets too hackneyed. Just having different faces and a different location doesn’t really work. Either they had to be too emotional or plain funny; and this falls in between.

You may not regret watching this on a lazy Sunday on TV when you are flipping through channels. But, taking pains to see it on big screen is a no-no.

Rating 4/10: Same old formula with a different garnish!

Movie Review: 7 Khoon Maaf (Hindi) 123

2011-02-20T14:30:00.000+05:30

Incidentally, this happens to be Vishal Bhardwaj’s 7^th directorial effort. And, he makes a great beginning: First shot, a revolver, second, a haggard Priyanka Chopra holding it to her head; third, shots heard and blood on the wall. Ergo, no time wasted in getting his audience warmed up! But if you thought that the title itself is amply clear on what it offers, i.e. 7 murders, wait; there is a bit of it that is left hanging in the end.

Adapted from Ruskin Bond’s short story “Susanna’s seven husbands”, it moves along the narrative by Arun (Vivaan Shah), who secretly admires his benefactor, Susanna Anna Marie Johannes (Priyanka Chopra) as she goes though a series of weddings. It is a tale of Susanna’s tryst with love and disappointment with each of her husbands who meet their doom when they don’t match up!

The men are introduced; there is romance, then repulsion followed by death. The first is a cruel, suspicious and impotent army man ‘Adamkhor Major’ (Neil Nitin Mukesh) followed by plagiarizing rocker addicted to drugs ‘Ek Duje Ke Liye’ (John Abraham). She finds her third in Kashmir, a sadomasochistic poet ‘Musafir’ (Irfan Khan). Three down, she is tired of marriage and just wants to be in love.

Fourth of them is a two-timing Russian spy ‘Amar Prem’ marrying her to be able to stay in India but having a wife back home (Aleksandr Dyachenko). Fifth, a lustful and corrupt cop ‘Pyaar ki Keemat’ who is hell-bent on marrying her (Annu Kapoor). Most lethal of them all is a doctor who plots to kill her ‘Mushroom da’ (Naseeruddin Shah).

The seventh which is supposed to be a suspense (not revealed here) was possibly the only way the story could have ended. Bhardwaj calls him ‘Prem Pujari’.

The problem here is that the movie doesn’t go deep enough into Susanna’s mind. Barring the sixth guy, there wasn’t enough reason to kill them when she could have simply parted ways. But as the anecdote in the story goes about Susanna killing a menacing dog on her way to school, murder was the only problem solver she knew.

Set in Panchgani, the setting is a large farm-house where horses are bred and has its own chapel. Since the locale is rather secluded, it offers the right scenery for a period flick. The mansion is stuck in stuck in a time-warp as is its narrative forcing the film-makers to voice-over or show news-clips of events to mark the timeline.

Clearly, 7 Khoon Maaf is not a thriller. There is not much of suspense either! She isn’t a femme fatale either. When wronged by all wrong men she falls for, she embodies the quote ‘hell hath no fury as a woman scorned’. But she was strong enough not to give up hope in her hunt for love or to turn herself in for murder. The men too found her charms irresistible ignorant of the fate that awaited them!

The leading lady deserves applause for portraying a complex character driven by passion. Aging from twenties to sixties, Priyanka Chopra looks her part, but her expressions hardly change; probably because her quest for love remained a mirage. Her best is when she laughs menacingly saying ‘this time I will drink his blood’.

Her men had to crunch in as much as they could in the few minutes they had. Annu Kapoor is showcased well as Irrfan Khan and Naseeruddin Shah emerge second best. Neil Nitin Mukesh and John Abraham were just about okay. The Russian was forgettable. Vivaan Shah delivers a fine debut performance.

Supporting cast had meatier roles. Usha Uthup as her maid, Shashi Malviya as jockey, Gunga and Harish Khanna as the butler make their presence felt. Ruskin Bond has a cameo and Konkona Sen Sharma is seen in a guest appearance.

Priyanka Chopra has established herself as a serious and multi-faceted actress. But what doesn’t clinch the deal for this flick is that it lacks flow. Also, it hesitates to show murder brutally and relies on flash-backs, slow motions, et al. A bit of editing could have saved it. Nevertheless, for what it is worth and with songs like ‘darling’, ‘bekaraan’ and ‘awaara’, ‘7 Khoon Maaf’ makes for a decent watch.

Rating 6/10: Good acting finishes up with a lame ending

Movie Review: Patiala House (Hindi) 122

2011-02-17T11:44:00.002+05:30

A Punjabi family in London, father scarred by racial discrimination, child not allowed to play a sport. Haven’t we seen it in 2002 in ‘Bend it Like Beckham’? But the drama in this flick is more akin to the 2005 golf drama starring Shia LaBeouf, ‘The Greatest Game Ever Played’. Just watch them both as the game ends; you’ll notice!

Rishi Kapoor plays Gurtej Singh Kahlon, a patriarch who runs his large joint family with an iron-fist and holds a sway over the Indian dominated suburb of Southall where racists are kept at bay and Indian cricket victories are celebrated with fanfare.

Akshay Kumar plays his son, Gattu who has sacrificed his dream of playing cricket for England in the fire of his father’s stubbornness. The rest of his family follows suit. Enter a silver lining in the form of a spirited Simran (Anushka Sharma) and her brother, the Patiala House now dares to think of a way out.

So, what does this movie offer? There’s plentiful drama, family values that conflict with young dreams. You also get to see Hard Kaur singing Bhajans and a 34-year old getting to debut for the national T20 team simply based on a selector who’s seen his backyard bowling. Laughable premises in a quintessential Bollywood drama! But, to its credit, you don’t see a father yelling ‘Chak-de-Phatte’ to his son in the stadium.

But the film is however not about cricket. Coherent with the theme, it focuses on the father-son conflict arising from a generation gap and change in circumstances. But, the filmmakers exercise just enough caution not to show an England vs. India match, thus avoiding a possible double-whammy, and central theme losing focus.

In fact, after a bucket-load of lame comedies, it is good to see Akshay Kumar in a serious role after a long time. He deserves applause for aptly playing man who lives as a shadow of himself but with the fire still burning bright within. Anushka Sharma has surely developed since her ‘Rab-ne’ days especially after ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’.

Should you watch this movie? Not if you are paying through your nose for an evening show in an up-market multiplex. But for Akshay Kumar’s performance and Anushka’s undeniable screen presence, you can give it a shot when it hits the small screen.

Rating 5/10: Family drama served in a ‘Patiala Peg’!

Movie Review: Yeh Saali Zindagi (Hindi) 121

2011-02-10T16:38:00.003+05:30

By calling itself ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’, the film projects itself as a new age bollywood flick with an attitude. Its masala is heartily delivered to you through its well written dialog. As it manages to trap you and times confound you with its myriad twists, its likeable characters mouthing smart-but-raw lines engages you. The songs too are decent and complement the film.

The film has multiple plots crisscrossing each other. One is about Arun (Irfan Khan) an accounting whiz who is hopelessly in love with a Priti (Chitrangada Singh) who sings in hotels for a livelihood. But she is in love with Shyam who is set to be married to the daughter of a Minister. On the other hand, there is Kuldeep (Arunoday Singh) who seeks domestic bliss from wife Shati (Aditi Rao Hydari) but can’t part ways with a well paying life of crime.

Things get complicated when a jailed former henchman of the Minister arranges a kidnap that goes wrong. The story then gets into a spiral of deceit and corruption. What puts you off is its motley of characters each of whom is introduced with a narrative. Contrived as its characters and twists may seem, you give up trying to make sense of it and enjoy the flow.

Despite it having a good amount of bloodshed, the film is not violent. Though dealing with goons, the movie can be funny! The good thing about it is that it doesn’t give you a heavy head and you may as well enjoy it again, for its dialog, if telecast on TV anytime in future.

Shot around Delhi, it is nice to see that movie makers in the recent years have shed the Mumbai obsession in their films, especially if it had anything to do with goons, guns and money. The new flavor that these films carry is surely ringing in the moolah.

Among its leads, Irfan Khan steals the show as the despondent lover, ready to give up all for a woman who doesn’t love him! And he does it willingly! Chitrangada, well, all her roles seem the same! Abhimanyu Singh who made his mark in Aisha and Mirch was probably too sophisticated to play a goon. Still, it’s good work! Pretty Aditi Rao Hydari had little else to do except slap Kuldeep and be served with his lip-smacking recipe to tranquilize her!

Gangsters, corrupt politicians, financiers with shades of grey aren’t usually a fertile ground for a new story. It is where directors like Sudhir Mishra make up for it by bringing in too many characters, especially quirky ones, forced twists and raw dialog. But made on a modest budget, ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ is watchable and would make a decent choice for some weekend fun.

Rating 6/10: Irfan Khan excels as the film’s smart dialog entertains!

Movie Review: Biutiful (Spanish) 120

2011-02-10T16:37:00.003+05:30

It isn’t uncommon to see misery and human suffering attracting attention of critics and the jury. Alejandro González Iñárritu’s earlier film ‘Babel’ addressed the same theme across borders and this time it is someone’s downhill journey. While I felt ‘Babel’ was a pointless tale of pain, Biutiful gets it right by his character a motive and putting hurdles along his way.

Titled as the way the Spanish spell Beautiful, it is a two and a half hour drama on the last days of Uxbal as he seeks to tie up a few loose ends before his cancer kills him.

Swimming in the filth of Barcelona’s underbelly, Uxbal is a middleman for employing illegal immigrants, helps them sell their wares and goes out of his way to help some of them. In brief, he is a thug but a good man at heart. But, does he do so because he knows he is dying?

Uxbal takes up most of the screen-time. But there is not a moment when you feel that Javier Bardem (seen in ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’) is not Uxbal. In what is a first Oscar nomination for a character in an entirely Spanish film, Bardem brings out the character’s anguish and helplessness as a single father seeking some closure. That includes arranging care for his kids, bridging ties with his estranged wife and helping people amidst a life of crime.

The film has reportedly taken more than 3 years to make from when it started being penned. Probably the best thing about its script is that its characters and situations emerge out of dialog and visuals rather than relying on narrative. Be it his cancer, or his wife prostituting for drugs, lives of illegal immigrants, corrupt cops and what drives Uxbal.

The setting, bereft of glamour or anything cheerful is carefully chosen to reflect the mid of its central character, its tiresome length and overdose of visuals wear you down. Also, a few scenes showing Uxbal speaking to the dead were completely avoidable.

If you can assure yourself that you would watch the film without being affected by its misery, the film is worth watching. Never mind the empty seats around; this isn’t a commercial flick.

Rating 7/10: Watch out for Bardem’s acting and the way the script unfolds itself!

Movie Review: 127 Hours (English) 119

2011-02-02T19:47:00.002+05:30

Danny Boyle became a household name in India with ‘Slumdog Millionarie’. As much as it attracted criticism for typecasting India, his skills at filmmaking accumulated accolades. Boyle teams up yet again with the Maestro, AR Rahman, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and producer Christian Colson for ‘127 Hours’.

Shot on location at Utah, it is based on true account by Aron Ralston in his book ‘Between a Rock and Hard Place’. The film deal’s with the protagonist’s ordeal for more than 5 days after a fallen boulder crashed on his arm and trapped him in an isolated canyon. The lack of food and hisdwindling water can made it worse. James Franco (Harry Osborne in ‘Spiderman’) plays Aron Ralston’s part to perfection.

The movie doesn’t dwell on whether Ralston did or didn’t do something right. Rather, it is his varying emotions that take the centre-stage. Amidst therocky hopelessness around him, he reminisces his family, draws recollects his last best moments with the passersby he had just met, his thirsty thoughts traveling to the half-filled drink bottle in his car, keeping his spirit alive and finally, garnering the courage to redeem himself.

The biggest challenge in a solo film is zero opportunity for dialog. The writers make up for it by interspersing it with recollections, wishful thoughts and self recorded videos. That said ‘127 Hours’ excels at dramatizing the events visually. Cutting between character’s point of view and close up of the expressions and then putting in some detailed slow motion shots, the camera work is simply mind blowing.

To its credit, its portrayal of events has a ‘thumbs up’ from the real-life Aron Ralston! But, turning what could have been a great documentary on TV into intense drama on the big-screen marks Danny Boyle’s achievement. AR Rahman’s ominous music contributes to intensifying the drama. And, itsediting has drawn applause too.

Goodies apart, ‘127 Hours’ may not be suitable for all audiences. A certain scene (not discussed here) without which the story wouldn’t have been complete could be termed ‘gory’. But if you think you can stomach it, this flick is not to be missed!

Rating 8/10: Well made! Highly intense and at times disturbing!

Movie Review: Tees Maar Khan (Hindi) 118

2011-01-01T03:38:00.000+05:30

After two successive hits, ‘Main Hoon Na’ and ‘Om Shanti Om’, the bare minimum that you expect from Farah Khan is a pop-corn entertainer or at least a fare that you can tolerate for a couple of hours. Well, that didn’t happen with ‘Tees Maar Khan’.

If it were so bad, one would wonder, did she keep up with Akshay Kumar’s track record of mindless comedies especially those with Katrina which raked in moolah? No way! She just took his comedies to an all time nadir sure to fail miserably at the Box Office.

While Farah Khan stands to take all the blame for being the Director, in fact, Shrish Kunder seems to be errant. Juggling writing, editing, lyrics and production proved to be too much for Kunder whose previous outing with Akshay, Jaan-E-Mann had flopped baldy. She probably had a tough time melding family and business.

Based on a 1996 Peter Sellers starrer, TMK is about Tabrez Mirza Khan (Akshay Kumar) who calls himself semi-Robin Hood, for he steals from the rich but gives not to the poor. Obviously, catching him is a tough act for cops. He is hired by conmen Johari Brothers (Raghu and Rajiv of ‘Roadies’ fame) to steal a train full of antiques.

To accomplish this, he masquerades as a Hollywood Director Majoj Day Ramlan and stages the act of making a film. He casts an Oscar-obsessed star (Akshaye Khanna) and his B-grade wannabe actress girlfriend Anya (Katrina Kaif) and deceives an entire village into accompanying him thinking that they’re acting out a crucial scene.

Although the premise itself may not be a bad thought, considering that it worked for an earlier film, incoherent scenes, poor dialog, taste-less humor et al lead to the most worthless two hours of your life. Farah the Choreographer excels with songs Sheela-ki-Jawani and Wallah-Re-Wallah, but they do too little to keep the sinking TMK afloat.

For the filmmakers, disability, color or gender preferences seem to be source of their humor. While one was a joke on a dark robber being visible only when he smiled, the others included Siamese twins who seem to talk simultaneously and a villager with a skin condition being cast as a Briton. Three villagers dressed in Pink act effeminate and a cop-duo chasing Khan are shown to be amorous.

True, brainless comedies often work, but TMK seriously undermines audience intelligence. If Farah Khan and Shirish Kunder thought casting a hit pair, copying a foreign film, a couple of songs and silly gags are all that movie should have, they’ve been caught on the wrong foot. To keep your sanity, just stay away from this flick.

In the closing credits, the film-makers are seen awarding themselves. Let them, for they won’t be able to lay their hands on the real stuff anyway!

Rating 2/10: Worthless flick that reeks of Overconfidence! Keep Out!

Movie Review: You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (English) 117

2011-01-01T03:37:00.001+05:30

A bunch of dissatisfied characters exploring new relationships; does that sum-up this flick? Yes, as is the case with most other Woody Allen films. But then, does it work? Nah, not this time around, at least. You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger lacks the wit that marks his work. If ‘Annie Hall’ is his gold-standard, this one is way too mediocre.

Helena (Gemma Jones) is dumped by her rich husband of forty years Alfie (Anthony Hopkins) who’s seems to have forgotten that he’s aging too and chases a young gold digging hooker Charmaine (Lucy Punch). While Helena seeks solace in the words of a phony fortune teller recommended by his daughter Sally (Naomi Watts).

Sally, an art major is stuck in a bad marriage with Roy (Josh Brolin) and falls for her employer Greg (Antonio Banderas) who’s hitting on her protégé Iris (Anna Friel). Roy, a former doctor and one-book wonder with a writer’s block starts to take an interest in neighbor Dia (Freida Pinto), a musicologist who’s already engaged.

Going by the trend of his recent films being based in Europe, this entrée is set in London. But, barring the accents of its British cast, black Taxicabs and Shakespeare quotes in the familiar Woody Allen narrative, there is little else to tell it apart from his regular New York based films with the big-city-n-lost-souls theme.

The stellar cast is let down by a bad script and half-hearted directorial effort. No wonder Anthony Hopkins and Josh Brolin merely sleep-walk through it. Still, Antonio Banderas in his brief role and Lucy Punch do sparkle. Freida Pinto had little else to do other than to eternally dress up in red and keep her obsession in the West alive.

Where it falters critically is when it merely skims the surface rather than engage the audience to take an interest in its characters. Lacking the drama that is normally expected of this genre, it ends up being a mélange of affairs. In the end, you don’t really care as to what happens to whom! This ‘stranger’ is quite forgettable!

Rating 5/10: Not the best of Woody Allen; passable at best!

Movie Review: Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (Hindi) 116

2010-12-09T19:08:00.001+05:30

When I saw the station ‘Masterda Surya Sen’ on Kolkata Metro sometime ago, little did I know about his history or the fact that he was a freedom fighter! That our mainstream history text books don’t talk about it makes this a little piece of history obscure. Revisiting history for the third time, Ashutosh Gowariker brings to the big screen, Manini Chatterjee’s book Do or Die on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930.

Abhishek Bachchan portrays Surya Sen, a revolutionary who along with his associates puts together a band of patriotically motivated teenagers and trains them for a planned synchronized attack on key bastions of the British Raj in Chittagong. They are assisted by two women, Kalpana Dutta (Deepika Padukone) and Pritilata Waddedar.

Some of the scenes, mostly shot in Goa are well done, including those in the aftermath of the attack on the cantonment in which the young revolutionaries are hunted down in the jungles is particularly moving. Despite losses, the protagonist masterminds an attack on the European club; the ripples of which reached London’s powers that be.

To his credit, the filmmaker didn’t make a mockery of the story, a la Ketan Mehta’s Mangal Pandey: The Rising. But rather than plain enactment of history, the audience would have wished to know more about the persona of Masterda, his motivation for the freedom struggle and his choice to rope in impressionable teens.

Despite best intentions, ‘Khelein Hum..’ neither has excitement of ‘Lagaan’ which was also an anti-gora period flick, nor the management lessons that it packed in. In reality, putting together 64 boys against a powerful empire was no mean achievement!

Surya Sen’s character surely deserved better than a clean shaven Abhishek Bachchan mouthing lines sans passion. Deepika deglamorized, was no less stunning, but the script didn’t have much for her; the romance between the lead pair seems forced too.

Best performances come from the likes of Sikander Kher who played Nirmal Sen and others who played Ganesh Ghosh, Ananta Singh and Ambika Chakraborty. Those who played Englishmen were horribly miscast; the lesser said the better.

Although this is among Gowariker’s least lengthy movies, a bit more scissor-work was needed. Sohail Sen’s music is bland when pitted against the memorable tracks that marked Gowariker’s earlier hits. The breathtaking cinematography too is missing.

So, if this all about a lengthy tale with bad acting and not many melodious songs, then why watch this movie? That’s because, Gowariker, in a way, pays tribute to those martyrs of a little known story and there is a sense of sincerity in the way the story is told. If you have three hours to spare, you may give this history lesson a chance.

Rating 6/10: Never mind bad acting, we get to learn about a little known story!

Movie Review: Unstoppable (English) 115

2010-11-30T23:01:00.001+05:30

Coming from director Tony Scott whose work amazed us in ‘Top Gun’, ‘Unstoppable’ marks his second film following ‘Taking of Pelham 123’ to feature trains that also starred Denzel Washington. While Washington got busy battling a devious market manipulator played by John Travolta in the earlier flick shot on New York metro, Unstoppable pits him against 777, an unmanned runaway train in Pennsylvania.

Frank Barnes (Washington) is an old railway engineer on his way out on compulsory retirement is paired up with a newbie conductor Will Colson played by Chris Pine, last seen in the latest Star Trek rehash of 2009. Despite getting off a rough start, the duo has to put aside their differences to stop a speeding train laden with hazardous cargo.

The flick is loosely based on a real life incident in Ohio in 2001 where a 47-car CSX train left the yard unmanned and could only be stopped after it clocked 66 miles.

For the film, CSX becomes the fictional Allegheny West Virginia Railroad, top speeds cross 70mph as against 47 managed by CSX. While none were injured in the real incident, the film had to have its actors bloodstained! The dangerous elevated curve wasn’t there and the filming location doesn’t really have precariously placed oil tanks! Obviously, lots of stuff gets thrown in to make it a fast paced action thriller.

The story did have a lot of real stuff, like the driver stepping out to adjust a switch, train cars with molten phenol, the portable derailer failing, cops nearly hitting the fuel cap, another train with a veteran and a newbie latching on to slow the train and finally having a staffer to jump on the slower train to take control.

While Denzel Washington delivers usual stuff expected of a veteran that he is, Chris Pine takes the cake for having performed all his stunts on his own, a commendable feat. Camera work is well done and when put together by some neat editing the million tons of steel on the run gives the adrenalin rush. Forget the technical mumbo jumbo though on dynamic brakes or reversing traction; it’s a plain no-brainer action flick.

Although there isn’t much that you would expect for a story or a diabolical villain that gets beaten in the end, ‘Unstoppable’ gives you just as much entertainment as a ride in an amusement park. Though not giving you something for you ponder over for days, it does make a fine entertainer, never mind the many plot holes. If you are looking for a couple of hours of pastime worth your money, be sure to give this a try!

Rating 6/10: The typical Hollywood action staple!

Movie Review: Robot (Hindi) 114

2010-11-29T22:39:00.001+05:30

There is nothing that Rajni Can’t is just one of those myriad SMS and email gags that go around. Although Rajnikant’s antics really need no introduction, this time, his usual stuff is delegated to an android in his latest entry, ‘Robot’.

Dr Vaseekaran, a robotics scientist, played by a professorial looking Rajnikant has worked for a decade developing a mechanical soldier for the Indian Army who is christened by his mother as Chitti also played by Rajni. Busy as he has been, he hardly has time for his lady love Sana (Aishwarya Rai), tad old to play a college girl though.

For Vasi to realize his dream, Chitti needs approval by an agency that is chaired by his mentor Dr Bohra (Danny) who rejects Chitti out of sheer jealousy and that the Robot cannot feel emotions. Now upgraded, Chitti starts to feel emotions. Predictably the Robot falls for Sana, putting the creator and his creation on the warpath.

Romance apart, the plot draws heavily from ‘I-Robot’ (2004) where it was about the Artificial Intelligence server finding creative interpretations to Asimov’s 3 laws of Robotics. Something similar was also seen in last year’s ‘Eagle Eye’. Probably to avoid complication, or to make it palatable to romance-happy Indian Audience, the plot here is different. I’m also told that the story is based on a 70’s Tamil novel.

A Rajni starrer that its, one can expect the usual overdose of drama. But, in his professorial role, this time, he chooses not to defy laws of Physics! It’s the android that takes the centre-stage and the film doesn’t cut corners to make it seem realistic. The believable special effects have surely has taken Indian film-making to the next technological orbit; although with a little help from the folks from Hollywood.

AR Rahman’s average fare is a let down. The story often breaking into a song-dance sequence every few minutes is hardly amusing. Of these, ‘Kilimanjaro’ deserves a special mention for its choice of Machu Picchu as the shooting location. Curiously, the song is named after a mountain located a third of the globe away!

Coming to casting, the average age of the lead pair is close to 50! Food for thought, huh! Those playing Rajni’s sidekicks stick out like a sore thumb as they shamelessly call themselves scientists on screen and are hell bent on sabotaging the project and dish out woefully subterranean humor. The script definitely needed a lot more work.

Thus said, it’s only fair to say that this is a review of ‘Robot’ and not that of ‘Enthiran’. It’s possible that a lot of humor and dialog must have been lost in translation.

Rating 6/10: Path-breaker for special effects in Indian Cinema

F1 2010: Team Orders & Title Math

2010-11-08T00:56:00.011+05:30

Vettel's win at

Brazil

this Sunday with Webber following him in a Red Bull 1-2 sealed the Constructors title for Red Bull by a decent margin. But the race to the drivers’ title is still open and set to go down to the wire at Abu Dhabi on the following Sunday. It is the first time in F1 history that four drivers carry title hopes into the final race.

Despite Red Bull having comfortably won as a team, the fact that it is Ferrari's Fernando Alonso who is leading the points table for the Driver's title while his team just stands third throws up a possibility of a repeat of the 2007 season. Three years ago, McLaren which treated its drivers equally saw the Alonso-Hamilton battle leading to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen seizing the title by a whisker.

Surely, the Scuderia is clear about the choice of driver to throw their weight behind. This time, they are doing it with Alonso; the disgusting team orders fiasco at Hockenheim is just the evidence. The pittance of a penalty on Ferrari is nothing more than a slap on the wrist by the FIA. What a shame!

If Alonso wins this year's title, with a margin less than 7 points, Red Bull would turn out to be sore losers for having followed the rule book to the tee leaving them licking their wounds while rivals Ferrari & Alonso celebrate their title. But, Alonso’s possible third title can get him in the league of all time greats, albeit on a crutch!

Hockenheim must have had a dampening effect on Massa who, after recovering from the near fatal crash at the Hungaroring last year returned to the grid with resilience. Had he won, both Alonso & Massa would have had a win apiece. Some inspired racing from Massa following the win would have altered the course of the 2010 title chase!

With reigning Champion Button out of mathematical contention after Brazil, this leaves 4 drivers in the running with one last race at Abu Dhabi left. Alonso leads with 246 with Webber & Vettel at 238 & 231 followed by Hamilton lagging at 222. With Hamilton 24 points behind, this is practically a three horse race as of now!

So, how does the math work out for the title contenders?

For Alonso, (i) a win at the Abu Dhabi GP or (ii) a 2nd despite Webber winning can seal the deal. The more complex ones arise when he (iii) finishes 3rd or 4h with Webber 2nd or worse even if Vettel wins; (iv) finishes 5th with either Red Bull drivers not winning; (v) finishes 6th with Webber 3rd or worse & Vettel 2nd or worse; (vi) comes 7th or 8th with Webber 4th or worse & Vettel 2nd or worse; (vii) ninth with Webber 5th or worse & Vettel 3rd or worse (viii) tenth with Webber 6th or worse, Vettel 3rd or worse, despite Hamilton winning and lastly (ix) doesn't score a point with Webber 6th or worse, Vettel 3rd or worse and Hamilton not winning.

Webber, can have a shot at reaching his career peak if he (i) wins the race and Alonso is 3rd or worse; (ii) second with Alonso 6th or below & Vettel doesn't win; (iii) third with Alonso 7th or below & Vettel doesn't win; or (iii) fourth with Alonso 9th or worse and Vettel doesn't win and if he (iv) comes 5th and Alonso ninth or out of points finish.

Vettel can clinch the title and be the only the second German driver to win a Formula 1 title if he (i) wins the race with Webber 2nd or worse & Alonso is 5th or worse; or (ii) comes 2nd with Webber 5th or below & Alonso 9th or worse.

Hamilton only has an outside chance as the only way he can win his second title is when he wins with Alonso scoring a naught at Abu Dhabi and Webber finishing 6th or worse and Vettel ending up 3rd or worse.

A glance at the possible outcomes seems as if the odds are in favor of Fernando Alonso. But, one can never predict technical shenanigans or other racing incidents that may spring a surprise. Let just hope that the best of them wins!

Movie Review: Rakht Charitra I (Hindi) 113

2010-11-04T20:37:00.000+05:30

Rakht Charitra I is the first of the two part saga on politics of the 90’s in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh riddled with factionism and revenge killings. With his latest entry, Ram Gopal Verma is back to what he knows best, gangsters and violence.

Supposedly a biopic of a slain politician from the region, the movie traces the entry of young Pratap Ravi (Vivek Oberoi) into the path of violence from where he steps into politics. The killings begin when Pratap’s father falls out with local politicians Narasimha Reddy & Nagamani Reddy leading to his murder and his brother death in a fake encounter. Pratap goes on to avenge the deaths by killing the Reddy duo.

Politics beckon him when actor turned politician, Sivaji Rao is on the look out for someone who can take on the sons of Nagamani Reddy, Bukka and Puru, the latter running for the State Assembly. Despite attempts by Bukka to sabotage the elections, Pratap wins the seat. What follows next is to be seen in the forthcoming flick.

Predictably, this flick is all about Bloodshed and an ominous background score. Well, the humming of the movie’s name in the background has an uncanny resemblance to the ‘Govinda’ humming seen in Verma’s Sarkar. The killings which include driving a drill bit into the head or guillotine with a Surgarcane cutter can be quite unsettling.

Some good acting holds the movie together. While Vivek Oberoi doesn’t put a foot wrong as the protagonist, it is Abhimanyu Singh who takes the cake for his portrayal of the brutal and despicable Bhukka Reddy, the key antagonist of the first film.

Usual screen baddies, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Ashish Vidyarthi et al too make their mark. Radhika Apte as Pratap’s love interest and consort has not much of a role except for looking wide-eyed as the politics unfold in front of her. Shatrugan Sinha’s portrayal of NTR’s likeliness is also noteworthy. The second movie releasing later this month would feature Tamil star Surya as the protagonist’s arch nemesis Suri.

With Bollywood audiences already having changed preferences from violence to comedy, this doesn’t come as a typical movie goer’s weekend entertainer. Not having an item song that is typical to this genre could have had its effect the film’s marketing.

If not for anything else, those keen on having a glimpse of the region’s politics in the not so distant past, can give Rakht Charitra a try.

Rating 5/10: Ram Gopal Verma is ‘Brutally’ back!

Movie Review: Raajneeti (Hindi) 112

2010-06-10T10:44:00.001+05:30

Raajneeti was undoubtedly among the most awaited films of this year. Coming from a director known for skills at political thrillers that are unabashedly brutal, this one is no different. While violence and killings may not suit everyone’s palette thus bringing on some criticism, one cannot deny it the credit for a fast paced script and in-your-face approach. The galaxy of actors makes sure that you don’t get bored either.

It begins with the incapacitation of Bhanu Pratap, the leader of Rashtrawadi Party that brings out the battle between cousins in the open. It is Prithvi (Arjun Rampal), the son of Bhanu’s brother seen batting the ambitions of Bhanu’s own son Veerendra (Manoj Bajpai) who is miffed at being overlooked for the party president post. The latter then befriends a youth leader Sooraj Kumar (Ajay Devgn) who becomes his man Friday.

The scene is now dotted with political murders. Following his father’s killing, Samar (Ranbir Kapoor) vows revenge and engineers a string of killings and political moves including a marriage of convenience with Indu (Katrina) just to see his brother Prithvi win. But unknown to them and to Sooraj is that the latter is their step brother, born out of the affair between their mother and leftist Bhaskar Sanyal (Naseeruddin Shah).

To a large extent, the tale seems to have its roots in the Mahabharata. While Rampal & Ranbir play Bhima & Arjuna, Katrina is Draupadi. With Ajay Devgn being Karna, his mother is Kunti and her brother Nana Patekar, Krishna. The antagonist Manoj Bajpai is the obvious Duryodana. Parallels to The Godfather can’t be ruled out either as Bhim and Arjun here are in a way similar to Mario Puzo’s Sonny and Michael Corleone.

Contrary to the extent that the promos had projected her role, Katrina didn’t have much to do. An eye candy in the beginning, a political pawn in between and a grieving widow who turns victorious in the end is all about it. In effect, Jha has come out clean from allegations of her role being based on a leading political matriarch.

The most commendable effort here is in Production design, chiefly in making political rallies look realistic. Following this are the script and editing that only slip up by adding a song in between that is sorely a misfit. The strength of its story is also the fact that Raajneeti doesn’t take sides or make moral judgments. The occasional ‘yeh raajneeti hai’ (this is politics) aptly describes the settings and puts events in perspective.

If the political drama regularly seen in the media is not good enough for you, or if you are keen on watching it all summarized in 3 hours, Raajeeti is the film for you.

Rating: 7/10: Fast paced story and credible performances make it worthwhile!

F1 Race Review: Spanish GP 2010

2010-05-11T12:58:00.001+05:30

Since the season opener at Bahrain, Saturday qualifying has dominated Sunday’s race results with rain or incidents making any difference. This weekend’s race at Catalunya with its known difficulty in passing wasn’t an exciting prospect either. In the end, although it was Mark Webber of Red Bull who won, it was local hero Fernando Alonso and his second place that was a treat to the Red-dominated grandstands.

With great pace all weekend, it all looked as if Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel would repeat their Malaysian Red Bull 1-2 feat. While Webber won his third race in 143 starts without incident, it was Vettel’s RB6 that exposed their vulnerability with front wing issues and loss of braking in the closing laps. His third was definitely a lucky one! Nevertheless his use of engine braking in the closing laps was a phenomenal feat!

Both the Red Bulls had made a perfect start leaving Lewis no room to pass, things stayed put till the first round of pit stops. At the exit, Lewis smartly put a back-marker between himself and Vettel at Turn 3, thus splitting the Red Bulls. Vettel lost out further, this time to Alonso as he pitted again for fresh rubber. It was only Lewis’ unfortunate tyre burst on lap 64 that handed a comfortable second place to a slower Ferrari.

Michael Schumacher would be reasonably pleased with his weekend as he went faster than team-mate Nico Rosberg in Qualifying and the Race for the first time in his comeback year! But this was bad news for championship leader Jenson Button who after his trouble-ridden pit-stop, fell behind Schumacher. Button stayed bottled up behind the legend, slip streaming him and lining up for a pass that never happened.

Force India never had a better season! After a brilliant fifth place at Sepang, Sutil followed Massa for a splendid seventh, thus taking his personal tally to 16 points and his team’s tally to 24 and a sixth place in team championship. At this rate, expecting a podium at the Indian GP next year could actually be a possibility! Indian driver Karun Chandhok on the other hand retired on Lap 28 with Suspension failure.

In the championship chase, Jenson Button still leads with 70 points and is followed closely by Alonso at 67. The Red Bull drivers Vettel and Webber follow with 60 and 53. While Schumacher lags at ninth with 22, his younger team-mate Rosberg is fifth with 50. Guess who follows Schumi? It is Force India’s Adrian Sutil & Vitantonio Liuzzi! For the team title, it is still a three-horse race between McLaren, Ferrari & Red Bull.

SEBI Premier League 2010 - Most Valuable Player "MVP" Ranking

2010-05-07T13:48:00.004+05:30

After the successful completion of the first ever SEBI Premier League during April 02-04, 2010, the Rank List for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the year is now ready!

The points have been calculated after taking into account Batting scores, Wickets Taken, Strike Rate, Bowling Economy, Man of the Match Award, Captaincy for either a winning or a losing side, Wicket Keeping and selection in Playing XI have been accounted for.

While there were 108 players named by each of the 6 teams which is 18 per team, only 83 have been a part of the playing XI. Hence, only these players have been counted for this ranking. Also, those who were a part of the playing XI may have been ranked lower since they did not get an opportunity to bat or bowl owing to the situation of the game!

At the top two ranks of the table have beenbagged by players from the Futures team, Sanchit Jain with 312 Points; followed by Nitin Singh with 261. Following them is the Higest Run getter during the SPL, Sagar Bhavsar from the Options team with 234. Following them, Pankaj Bagheria, Joydeep Naskar and Pradeep Kumar complete the top 6 list!

In all, Only one player crossed the treshold of 300 and only a total of 3 crossed 200. Of the 83 that comprise this list, only 13 players crossed the magic number of 100. At a lower cut off of 50, there were 29 players who made it through.

Click on the image-link Below for the 'Big-picture'... Cheers!

Movie Review: Antaheen (Bengali) 111

2010-05-05T00:46:00.002+05:30

Romance and relationships has been the preferred theme for world cinema for years. While most mainstream commercial Bollywood flicks succumb to a song and dance routine, the alternate and regional cinema that has still been holding the fort for good stories. Antaheen from the East, the National Award Winner of last year is one of those.

Rahul Bose plays Abhik, a dutiful IPS officer and a fitness freak who seeks an emotional escapade in cyberspace as he chats with journalist Brinda (Radhika Apte), both using pseudonyms. Following an arms haul, Brinda seeks an interview with Abhik who denies it while blaming the media on sensationalizing issues. The cyber lovers don’t hit off well in real life initially but go on to discover each other’s better side.

Cyber lovers and acrimonious real life selves are not new to filmdom. The Tom Hanks – Meg Ryan starrer ‘You’ve Got Mail’ immortalized more than a decade ago, when people actually preferred pseudonyms vis-à-vis today’s relatively realistic interactions over Facebook or Skype. While the trendsetter had a romantic ending, the lesser known film makers of ‘Antaheen’ preferred to turn this tragic, and stayed true to its title.

Complementing the protagonists, the tale of endless search is told through its peripheral characters too. Sharmila Tagore plays a single woman who lives in her own world and has brought up her orphaned nephew Abhik. Kalyan Ray, Abhik’s wise and middle aged cousin and Aparna Sen play an estranged couple who still manage to keep their love alive. Meeta Vasisht plays the scorned wife of the rich antagonist Mehra.

One couldn’t have asked more from its cast chosen well and have played it to perfection. Be it the brainy and honest cop, a feisty but sweet Journo, a lone caretaker aunt, the sophisticated builder with a hint of an evil streak, the estranged urban middle aged couple whose love seems to grow when apart or the wife who hasn’t forgiven her husband for the accidental death of her daughter years ago!

A possible irritant though are rampant product placements. There is nothing subtle about advertisers yelling from the rooftops selling include a cellular network, wireless broadband, internet trading, portfolio management service, a soft drink and a shampoo! Can’t help but pity the small budgets that force filmmakers into such compromises.

Editing takes the centerpiece here. You can hardly find a scene that can be argued out of its place. The use of voice-over is clean and simply pulled out of conversations than spoken thoughts. Sound could have definitely been improved with sync-sound adding a realistic touch. Camera work though is keeps the locales mundane and has repeated shots of indoors and cityscapes. Blame it all on smaller budgets arty flicks.

To top it all, the climax has the desired effect of a sense of void; most recent parallel seen in ‘Bridge to Terabithia’. If you are in a mood for appreciating a well made movie, with some lovely songs, check this one out. With subtitled versions easily available, appreciating regional cinema just became easier! So, go ahead and pick up the DVD!

Rating 8/10: Poignant storytelling, apt casting, acting and great editing!

SEBI Premier League 2010 Results

2010-04-03T19:38:00.024+05:30

CRICKET

Finals - April 04, 2010 at 1200
Futures won by 9 Wickets over Swaps
Swaps scored 111/10 followed by Futures 115/1
Man of the Match: Nitin Singh (Futures) for 46 runs including 4 sixes off 33 balls & 2 wickets. Highest Sixes in a match.

Man of the Series: Sanchit Jain (Futures) for a total of 121 runs that includes 2 half centuries & 6 wickets in 3 matches. He is the highest wicket taker in SPL

3rd Place Match - April 04, 2010 at 0900
Options won by 26 Runs over Equity
Options scored 131/2 followed by Equity 105/3
Man of the Match: Sagar Bhavsar (Options) for his 78 from 35 balls, the highest individual score in a match in SPL and for taking 1 wicket

Overall Team Rankings
1. Futures - won the Finals
2. Swaps - lost the Finals
3. Options - won the 3rd place match
4. Equity - lost the 3rd place match
5. Bonds - higher of the last two on NRR
6. Index - lower of the last two on NRR

Highest Cumulative Run Scorers
Sagar Bhavsar (Options) - 133 runs from 3 matches
Sanchit Jain (Futures) - 121 from 3 matches
Nitin Singh (Futures) - 111 from 3 matches

Highest Cumulative Wicket Takers
Sanchit Jain (Futures) - 6 scalps in 3 matches
Prasenjit Dey (Options) - 5 from 3 matches
Manoj Kumar (Swaps) - 4 from 2 matches
Yogesh Evney (Futures) - 4 from 3 matches

Most Runs in a Match
Sagar Bhavsar (Options) - 78 off 35 balls against Equity
Peter Mardi (Swaps) - 50 off 27 balls against Equity
Sanchit Jain (Futures) - 50 off 32 balls against Index
Sanchit Jain (Futures) - 50 off 40 balls against Swaps

Most Wickets in a Match
Sanchit Jain (Futures) - 4 victims from Index
Prasenjit Dey (Options) - 4 victims from Index

Fastest 50 in match
Sagar Bhavsar (Options) - from 23 balls against Equity
Peter Mardi (Swaps) - from 27 balls against Equity
Sanchit Jain (Futures) - from 32 balls against Index
Sanchit Jain (Futures) - from 40 balls against Swaps

Most Sixes
Nitin Singh (Futures) - 5 from 3 matches
Sagar Bhavsar (Options) - 3 from 3 matches

Most Fours
Sagar Bhavsar (Options) - 21 from 3 matches
Sanchit Jain (Futures) - 19 from 3 matches

Group A Leaderboard
(1) Futures: 2 wins - 6 points
(2) Options: 1 win - 3 points
(3) Index: 0 wins - 0 points

Group B Leaderboard
(1) Swaps: 2 wins - 6 points
(2) Equity: 1 win - 3 points
(3) Bonds: 0 wins - 0 points

League Matches

1. Futures won by 70 Runs over Index
Futures scored 117/2 followed by Index 47/10
Man of the Match: Sanchit Jain (Futures) for his 50 off 32 balls & 4 wickets

2. Equity won by 70 Runs over Bonds
Equity scored 82/5 followed by Bonds 81/4
Man of the Match: Pankaj Bagheria (Equity) for 22 runs off 21 balls & 1 wicket

3. Futures won by 23 Runs over Options
Futures scored 121/5 followed by Options 98/4
Man of the Match: Nitin Singh (Futures) for 25 off 10 balls & 1 wicket

4. Swaps won by 2 Runs over Bonds
Swaps scored 73/2 followed by Bonds 71/6
Man of the Match: Peter Mardi (Swaps) for 31 runs off 21 balls

5. Options won by 7 Wickets over Index
Index scored 91/7 followed by Options 94/3
Man of the Match: Prasenjit Dey (Options) for 4 wickets

6. Swaps won by 8 Wickets over Equity
Equity scored 84/5 followed by Swaps 85/2
Man of the Match: Peter Mardi (Swaps) for 50 runs off 22 balls

BADMINTON

Singles: Anita Tejraj (Swaps) won over Meetu Agarwal (Futures)

Doubles-1: Anita Tejraj & Harini Balaji (Swaps) won over Meetu Agarwal & Asha Shetty (Futures)

Doubles-2: Sarika Kataria & Shalini Shah (Futures) won over Surabhi Gupta & Preeti Pathak (Swaps)

(Detailed Scores Awaited)

Team Winners: Swaps
Team Runners-up: Futures

TABLE TENNIS

Singles: Sonia Khosa (Index) won over Anita Tejraj (Swaps)

Doubles: Sonia Khosa & Doel Ghorai (Index) won over Anita Tejraj & Chaitali Karate (Swaps)

(Detailed Scores Awaited)

Team Winners: Index
Team Runners-up: Swaps

CARROM

Singles: Kavya Chand (Index) won over Surabhi Gupta (Swaps) Scores 12-7

Doubles: Surabhi Gupta & Peeti Pathak (Swaps) won over Medha Sonparote & Barnali Mukherjee (Index) Scores 12-4

Team Winners: Swaps with 5 points
Team Runners-up: Index with 3 points

PRESENTATION

Awards for Winners and Runners-up were given away by the Chairman and Member Abraham at 1520 hours on Sunday April 04, 2010. ED Vaidy thanked the officials of the MIG Club including the Umpires and the Scorer, the organizers and event coordinators.

Awards were distributed to the winners of the singles and doubles events in women's Badminton, Table Tennis & Carrom. Following them were the winners of 'Man of the Match' Award from each of the 8 matches. The ceremony culminated in the awards for the 'Man of the Series', teams standing Third, Second and the Champions!

PHOTOS

http://picasaweb.google.com/ssvikas/SPL2010

CREDITS

My team 'Options' for being a great team; everyone at the event who encouraged our Amateur Commentary; my fellow Commentators Mukul Shukla who made things interesting with his chaste Hindi and Vishal Gupta for the first day; guest commentators Joydeep Naskar & Pradeep Ramakrishnan for their in-depth analysis; Scorer Sudheesh for patiently giving us updates with the details at regular intervals; the organizers Sanchit Jain & Aparna for pushing me to do the commentary & Pradeep Kumar who wanted me to click pictures too; Nila Hariharan for the nice Camera; Suryakumar for enthusiastically and painstakingly putting together all the statistics; Colonel Bhandari for bringing in the requisite discipline and most importantly, all the players of all teams who braved the Summer heat and made it interesting with lots of action!

SPL Team "Options" Posters

2010-04-01T00:02:00.008+05:30

SEBI Premier League is hotting up... with just a few hours to go for the matches to start, the excitement has built up already...

Here are some posters from my team - "Team OPTIONS"...

And these are some Wallpapers...

Disclaimer: The posters and wallpapers are teasers for the intra-organization sporting friendlies, chiefly cricket. While these posters may have drawn inspiration from the creativity used in the movies that these scenes belong to and the artists who originally created them, they have been only used for informal recreation purpose and in no way intends to infringe on the copyrights of their respective owners.

F1 Race Review: Bahrain GP 2010

2010-03-15T23:51:00.001+05:30

A procession from start to finish! This was precisely how a discerning Formula 1 fan would describe Sunday’s season opener at Bahrain. FIA may have been working towards cutting costs and improve the show, but on ground, things seem to work otherwise! Barring the engine incident that forced Vettel to drop to fourth, allowing the Ferraris of Alonso and Massa to charge ahead to victory, it was largely uneventful.

As did races in Monaco or San Marino that historically ran sans overtaking, this race too was rather decided in the Saturday qualifier. While Vettel bagged the pole, Massa and Alonso followed him. While Hamilton started fourth, his team-mate and defending champion was down in eighth. Schumacher seemed to repeat the feat of his 1991 debut in his return race by bagging P7 again. Great co-incidence, but a bad result!

The Bahrain International Circuit had changed a bit this year. With the endurance version of the track being used, the twisty second stint sent lap times touching two minutes. Concordantly, the laps are down from 57 to 49. The other, but more prominent change was seeing Michael Schumacher in Silver and his DVAG cap is in silver too! Ferrari fans would have found it too confusing to find him on grid but not in a Ferrari!

The day belonged to the Ferrari that finished with double the points as McLaren that ranks second. Red Bull was technically unlucky; first, it was webber’s oil smoke that caused panic in the first corner followed by Vettel’s faulty spark-plug that ruined his possible win. Button and Rosberg drove well but lacked the pace to do better.

Indian fans had it bittersweet on Sunday. While Indian racer Karun Chandhok started last and retired only after a lap, Force India had better luck. Vitantonio Luzzi braved a wing-adjustment failure and still came home ninth for two points. Sutil had a better grid position but lost out in a second corner contact with Kubica’s Renault. But, his 1:59:393 on the last lap was the second best overall, demonstrating Force India’s Force!

Apart from hard racing, the events that captured the limelight at Bahrain were the 60th year celebrations; yes the series began six decades ago at Silverstone. Yesteryear champions like Sir Jackie Stewart, Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nigel Mansell, Jody Scheckter, Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen driving around the track. Adding to Bahraini glamour, there would be an F1 ‘Walk of Fame’ soon at the circuit!

The championship is obviously wide open; but with a 7 point premium for wins this year, Alonso has gained a great lead over Massa with 25:18. Hamilton follows third with 15 and Vettel has 12. Schumi has 8. Ferrari have jumpstarted their season with 43, the highest possible in a race. McLaren and Mercedes follow with 21 and 18.

Will Red Bull recover? Wait for the answers in the race down-under in two weeks time! But, if things go the way it is now, expect to see slower processions of expensive cars running cautiously to preserve their fuel, tires, engines, gearboxes and what not! Well, Bernie, do you want F1 to be an endurance race or one where you race for victory?

F1 Season Preview: 2010

2010-03-12T15:29:00.002+05:30

The sweeping rule changes of last year yielded nearly unexpected results and emergence of new heroes in Brawn Mercedes and Jenson Button. This year, the field is wider with 12 teams including new teams as well as return of old names. The season would run on 19 tracks; the last time a season saw as many tracks was in 2005. The new inclusions aimed at widening the global footprint of the pinnacle of motor-sport.

The famed Michael Schumacher has come out of retirement to race again. Fans would now witness 4 world champions battling it wheel-to-wheel in Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari with no refueling strategies to help them. Placing a higher premium on wins this year, the pointing system has been revised to 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 down to tenth.

Schumacher may be 41 now, but is as fit as ever with regained focus. His decision to race for Mercedes was as if he were returning a favor for having helped him prior to his F1 days. Obviously, the Brawn factor had its biggest pull. With a fellow German Nico Rosberg, Schumi would be leading a German line up for a German team. Surely, we would all miss seeing him in red and hearing the Italian anthem at the podiums.

In what looks like another national theme, World Champion Jenson Button has taken the coveted No.1 to the British marque McLaren where he is joined by fellow Brit and former Champion Lewis Hamilton. After an uneventful Renault stint, the double World Champion Fernando Alonso is back in contention for the title as he joins Ferrari. Recovering from his Budapest accident, Felipe Massa returns to partner Alonso.

After having tasted success last year, Red Bull too isn’t far behind in the title battle as Sebastien Vettel may stand a chance to the title in the Austrian team partnered by Webber. Old name Lotus returns to grid backed by Asian aviation ace Tony Fernandes and has old face Trulli who was out of a race seat after Toyota left and Kovalainen.

New team HRT will feature our very own Indian driver Karun Chandhok who has seen reasonable success in GP2 and will be partnered by someone with the second most popular surname in F1, Bruno Senna, the late Ayrton Senna’s nephew. The other new team is Richard Branson’s Virgin that fields Timo Glock and Luca di Grassi.

The saddest part probably will be lack of engine variety. 2010 would only hear roars of Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Cosworth engines. Imagine, a team called BMW Sauber will be powered by a Ferrari heart! Cosworth powers as many as 4 teams.

Rule changes have prompted teams to lengthen their cars to accommodate the extra fuel load, owing to the refueling ban. The two tire compound use still mandatory, drivers must plan their tire degradation versus multiple stops. The races could get tad longer with every ten kilos of fuel reportedly adding three tenths to a lap.

On tires, teams get only 22 sets per weekend, 12 primes and 10 options. Q3 Drivers on Saturday must carry the same tires to the starting grid as they set their qualifying time on. And, engine changes now attract a ten place penalty for two races. Learning from last year’s debacle where third drivers fumbled when pushed directly into a race, they can now drive on Fridays, provided they use the regular driver allocations. \

The Korean GP is the fresh entrant this year as the Korean International Circuit at Yeongam prepares for its first F1 run in October. Returning into the calendar is the exciting Canadian Giles Villeneuve circuit. While it’s a relief that the historical Silverstone has got a new lease of life, this year would miss a piece of history as it doesn’t race on French soil. But, rejoice as the Japanese race returns to Suzuka.

The race schedule with Indian timings and an extract from the official entry list for 2010 is below. Mark it in your calendars and enjoy the show on Star or ESPN. While cricket and IPL3 is first priority in cricket loving countries, I’m sure that this year’s Formula 1 would be as exciting. Wear your seatbelts for the first race this Sunday! Cheers!

Formula 1 Calendar 2010 Time in IST

1 Bahrain GP 14-Mar 17:30
2 Australian GP 28-Mar 11:30
3 Malaysian GP 4-Apr 13:30
4 Chinese GP 18-Apr 12:30
5 Spanish GP 9-May 17:30
6 Monaco GP 16-May 17:30
7 Turkish GP 30-May 17:30
8 Canadian GP 13-Jun 21:30
9 European GP 27-Jun 17:30
10 British GP 11-Jul 17:30
11 German GP 25-Jul 17:30
12 Hungarian GP 1-Aug 17:30
13 Belgian GP 29-Aug 17:30
14 Italian GP 12-Sep 17:30
15 Singapore GP 26-Sep 17:30
16 Japanese GP 10-Oct 11:30
17 Korean GP 24-Oct 11:30
18 Brazilian GP 7-Nov 21:30
19 Abu Dhabi GP 14-Nov 18:30

Teams and Drivers

McLaren Mercedes
1 Jenson Button (GB)
2 Lewis Hamilton (GB)

Mercedes Benz GP
3 Michael Schumacher (D)
4 Nico Rosberg (D)

Red Bull Renault
5 Sebastian Vettel (D)
6 Mark Webber (AUS)

Ferrari
7 Felipe Massa (BR)
8 Fernando Alonso (E)

Williams Cosworth
9 Rubens Barrichello (BR)
10 Nico Hulkenberg (D)

Renault
11 Robert Kubica (PL)
12 Vitaly Petrov (RUS)

Force India Mercedes
14 Adrian Sutil (D)
15 Vitantonio Liuzzi (I)

STR Ferrari
16 Sebastien Buemi (CH)
17 Jaime Alguersuari (E)

Lotus Cosworth
18 Jarno Trulli (I)
19 Heikki Kovalainen (FIN)

HRT Cosworth
20 Karun Chandhok (IND)
21 Bruno Senna (BR)

BMW Sauber Ferrari
22 Pedro de la Rosa (E)
23 Kamui Kobayashi (J)

Virgin Cosworth
24 Timo Glock (D)
25 Lucas di Grassi (BR)

Aralutiru/ Araluthiru (Mungaru Male) Lyrics Translation/ Meaning

2010-03-10T13:17:00.003+05:30

Songs from "Mungaru Male" have not only enchanted kannada audiences but have gone on to win hearts across linguistic barriers. In fact, music knows no such barriers. On popular requests by blog visitors, another hit song from the movie that was immortalized by Shreya Ghoshal is here translated into English. So, listen to the songs as you read the meaning here.. Cheers!... Translation/ Explanation/ Meaning by Nithin Neelakanta & Vikas SS

Aralutiru jeevada geleya, snehada sinchanadalli
(Keep blooming oh friend for life, in the sprinkle of friendship)
baadadiru snehada hoove, premada bandhanadalli
(Don’t wither oh flower of friendship, in the bondage of romance)
manasalle irali bhaavane
(Let this feeling remain in your soul)
midiyutilrali mouna vene.. heege summane..
(Let the rhythm of Veena play on silently, Just like that, as it does now)

hakkiyu haadide tanna hesaranu helade
(The bird has sung, without telling its name)
sampige beeride kampanu yaarigu kelade
(The champak flowers have spread their fragrance, without asking anyone)
beesuva gaaliya hakkiya haadina nantige hesarina hangilla
(The billowing wind and the song of the bird don’t seem to name any kind of relationships)
namageke adara yochane
(So, why do we need to think about it)
beda geleya nantige hesaru yaake summane
(Oh friend, lets not call this a relationship, why at all?)

Araluthiru Jeevada Geleya...
(Keep blooming oh friend for life...)

maatige meerida bhaavada seletave sundara
(The strong pull of feelings, that exceeds words, is so beautiful)
nalumeyu tumbida manasige baaradu besara
(The soul that’s full with joy, will never face sorrow)
baala daariyali bere yaadaru chandira baruvanu namma jote
(Although separate in life paths, the moon comes along with us)
kaanuvenu avanalle ninnane
(and I shall see you through him)
irali gelaya ee anubandha, heege summane
(Let this bond continue oh friend, just like this)

Araluthiru Jeevada Geleya...
(Keep blooming oh friend for life...)

Movie Review: Karthik Calling Karthik (Hindi) 110

2010-03-04T18:46:00.000+05:30

Following the success of “Rock On” and “Luck by Chance”, Farhan Akhtar seems to have taken a serious plunge into acting. The self professed ‘method’ actor dons the role of a troubled man batting his ambitions, emotions, and himself in debutante Vijay Lalwani’s supposed thriller. While it defies its genre, KCK scores brownie points for Farhan’s believable performance, oodles of romance and some songs.

Karthik Narayan (Farhan) works for Construction Company where his colleagues take credit for his work and boss (Ram Kapoor) abuses him openly. Notwithstanding that he is a CA and an IIM topper, his timidity renders him obscurity, to such an extent that his crush Shonali (Deepika Padukone) is unaware of his existence. Well, considering that it was such a small office, this premise is actually ridiculous, nevertheless.

When suicide seemed to be his only option, things change for good when a mysterious morning caller claiming to be Karthik advices him on repairing his life. In no time, he has a better job in the same company and is romancing Shonali. The transformation from introversion to boldness is neat. Without resorting to overdone machismo, Farhan’s portrayal of guarded optimism makes the Karthik believable.

An hour into the movie, things are going is good. So, it’s time for a conflict. Shonali learns about the calls and convinces Karthik to visit a psychiatrist. So you know, what comes next. The caller suddenly chooses to pull the plug on Karthik’s good life. With no job, woman or savings, he travels to a blind destination and lives his life in a blissful world without phones, in a performance that convinces you to pity him for his plight.

As much as I would have loved to be critical about its plot-holes, it would be difficult to do that without revealing the suspense, if at all there is any. Towards the end, you know what is in store but wonder what would fill up the rest of its minutes. If this was supposed to be the suspense, then lo, we really have a thriller! Repetitive dialog and unemotional dubbing, the bubonic plague of Bollywood flicks figures here too.

A stunner Deepika romancing an average and shorter Farhan is definitely not my idea of on-screen romance. But, this ironically is its strongpoint. Acting seems to be an insurmountable challenge for Deepika, who is at her worst in the scene where she breaks up with Karthik. The mean phone in the film has rather bettered her. Ram Kapoor who has taken time off from playing ‘brother’ on Swayamvars has done well too.

To his credit, Farhan Akhtar’s twice as much effort to justify two Karthiks in the movie’s name is commendable. But it still comes across a love story but not a thriller. I’m not really recommending it, but if you still want to watch it, I’ll say, don’t expect too much.

Rating 5/10: A predictable romantic flick but not a thriller!

Movie Review: Up in the Air (English) 109

2010-02-24T00:52:00.001+05:30

In times of recession, a movie about a guy who fires people for a living is not exactly anyone’s idea of entertainment! But, the devilishly charming Ryan Bingham, played by George Clooney just does that, making things oddly comical. Enjoying around 300 days onboard, at lounges and hotels, he laments the 40 days at home between trips.

When he isn’t firing, Ryan peddles his ‘Baggage free’ ideals at motivational lectures and occasionally has a ‘good time’ with fellow travel buff, Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga) who hit off on a common ground of loyalty card vanity. As Alex calls terms herself as a feminine version of Ryan, the twosome often plan their sojourn across America.

Things change when greenhorn Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick) leads his company to a new policy of firing people via internet. Ryan is grounded and dismayed at the prospect of missing his secret ambition of 10 million frequent flyer miles. Adding to his woes, his boss Craig Gregory puts Natalie under Ryan’s tutelage to lean the business!

Natalie and Ryan are opposites; while the former hates airports and loves to get back to ‘home and family', Ryan loves his unreal life but wants to fire people ‘with a personal touch’, allowing the story its exploratory flight-path of mutual self discovery of emotional connections, love, family and propriety. While it is easy to portray such themes in gloom, Up in the Air is light hearted, sprinkled liberally with humor while keeping up its pace.

Though, at first, it comes across as a movie on Ryan and his miles, it’s not! His conflict is rather within himself, his fear of intimacy, family and commitment. Clooney actually makes you feel for the middle aged and lonely Ryan who fires people but is really not a grown-up within. To their credit, the filmmakers have worked well to create seemingly unreal characters but still leaving enough to imagination and things to relate to!

Natalie and Alex have their issues too. While the Anna Kendrick plays a pretty, uptight and ambitious girl whose nervousness is situations is comic relief. Poor Natalie is eventually dumped over an SMS. Vera Farmiga as Alex adds her own shades of grey; she has a stable family but seeks out some fun. Do our characters get what they want? Typical to Hollywood style, some answers are direct while some are subtle.

To bring out the best from those ‘fired’, the filmmakers actually cast people who had recently lost jobs! Their brief was to look into the camera and say what it felt like being ‘fired’! Portraying multiple locales without actually filming there was intelligent production design. The Airport scenes were crisp and realistic. One of the best scenes is Ryan’s slick passage through the security check, portraying a seasoned business traveler.

Coming from the Oscar nominated directed by Jason Rietman of “Juno” fame, Up in the Air, adapted from a novel of the same name by Walter Kim is worth watching!

Rating 7/10: Crisp script and comical moments are its miles!

Movie Review: My Name is Khan (2010/Hindi) 108

2010-02-18T14:40:00.000+05:30

Ever since its release, reviewers and audiences have been busy comparing MNIK with Forrest Gump. So, is it true? Definitely Not! While Forrest Gump was an extraordinary lifetime journey of a low-IQ-nice-guy, MNIK deals with the mending of a relationship smothered by typecasting of communities in the aftermath of terror attacks. The protagonist’s condition, Asperger’s Syndrome adds a third angle to the story.

Born with social interaction disability, Rizvan detests anything yellow or loud, but is gifted with the ability of repairing appliances. Events lead him to the US where he falls in love and marries the vivacious Mandira. Things change post 9/11 when Mandira’s son is killed in the communal hatred for his last name ‘Khan’. She now hates Rizvan for giving them the last name. It is now up to Khan to regain his lost love!

While being sentimental, MNIK packs in a message that every Muslim is not a terrorist, and Khan wants to tell this to the US President. Too many obstacles are thrown in, including a hurricane, terror suspicions, imprisonment, et al. But northing bothers our undaunted hero who even simplistically offers to repair the Air Conditioner in the prison! Ah yes, he also teaches us about pronouncing “Khan from the epiglottis”.

Religious tolerance is a hackneyed Bollywood theme. But, MNIK does it with a lot of heart. Khan lives by his mother’s principles that no religion is bad, but it is people who are either good or bad. His sincere journey touches hearts, admonishes hardliners and pines to re-unite with Mandira who now finds strength in hatred and prefers it to the weakness of love for Khan. The SRK-Kajol pairing here is simply beyond words!

Coming from a director best known for ‘loving your parents’ family movies, Karan Johar has carefully blended his ‘relationship’ skills with stronger themes of religion and disabilities, all into one film. Considering that SRK is one the producers, I won’t entirely believe that his airport security drama was not a publicity stunt! The producers must also thank the politicos for giving a nitrous boost to the release and its profits!

What makes MNIK tick is its cast. While King Khan is probably the best ‘emotion’ actor, adding Kajol to the combo makes it a killer. Tannay Chheda of Slumdog fame as the young Khan has some resemblance with SRK and Zarina Wahab as his mother is apt. Jimmy Shergill as Khan’s brother is decent but Sonia Jehan is outstanding in her role as the professor sister-in-law of Khan who identifies his condition and helps him.

Some of the songs like Sajda are Tere Naina make Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s work worthwhile. The songs don’t interrupt the flow either; a credit to the editors. Filming locations are the glossy as usual but those one that is over the top is the little Georgian town that propels Khan to Stardom. While it is undeniable that MNIK has an overdose of drama, it has packs in a lot of little moments that touch your heart. Try it out!

Rating 7/10: A warm love story; neat performances & a message of goodness!

Movie Review: Ishqiya (Hindi) 107

2010-02-04T00:16:00.000+05:30

If the promos were to be believed, this could have been one of the best made movies of the year. Who could predict that a movie that starred the immensely talented Naseeruddin Shah, Vidya Balan and Arshad Warsi along with the ‘Vishal Bharadwaj’ tag could only turn into a movie which you would call nothing more than ‘Okay, decent’. Nevertheless, as music adds much needed spice, it’s still worth your money!

The film opens with Krishna (Balan) in bed with husband Vidyadhar Verma in playful pillow-talk. As Krishna addresses Verma as ‘Jahaanpanah’ on screen, the audience was quick to append it with ‘tussi great ho’; remember “3 Idiots” anyone? Cut to next scene, a blast. Cut again to Khalujaan (Shah) and Babban (Warsi) fleeing with stolen money seeking refuge at the now widow Krishna’s village home near Gorakhpur.

The story builds on as Krishna unleashes her femme fatale charms to tame the duo to toe her line. Vidya Balan playing her part to perfection uses her ‘desi’ sensuality to the fullest while also displaying shades of bravado firing the shotgun when needed. As with Vishal Bhadwaj’s movies, Ishqiya too has a rustic setting, foul mouthed characters and a hinterland heart. This flick deals with Kidnapping near the Nepalese border.

By interval time, the narrative just warms up enough to suggest that the trio now plan to kidnap a rich businessman for ransom. Khalu and Babban jump into agreement, given that their booty stands stolen and has to be repaid while on the other, they’re taken over by lust and love for Krishna who manipulates their passions, so much so that Khalu junks his old lover’s photo & Babban ditches his pal to make love to her.

The film-makers may have planned their hard-sell on the plank that Krishna’s role is in shades of grey. Femme fatales have done well for themselves all through history, be it Cleopatra, or in Bollywood, “Karz” or “Aitraaz”. But expectations fall flat towards the end as Krishna turns into nothing more than the clichéd vengeful Indian wife. Well, being apologetic was the last thing that one could expect out of a Vishal Bhardwaj film.

Making things worse is the hurried rush of scenes towards the end; as if a student just realized that he only ten minutes left with half the paper still to go. Climax is contrived and destroys the original ‘femme fatale in grey’ thread. But, its brilliant songs such as Rahat Fateh Ali khan rendition ‘Dil to Bachcha Hai’ and Singhs Sukhwinder & Mika’s ‘Ibn-E-Batuta’ work like a balm. Try it out and you won’t regret watching it.

Rating 6/10: Well intentioned but hurriedly delivered; good acting & songs!

Movie Review: Chance Pe Dance (2010/Hindi) 106

2010-01-21T13:17:00.000+05:30

Chance Pe Dance is a hackneyed story based on ‘reality shows’, the 'happening' stuff these days. Following the moderately successful “Ishq Vishq” and box office failure “fida”, this is the third of Ken Ghosh – Shahid Kapoor combos. While its budget permitted it to hire stars, it sorely loses out on juvenile script and shabby execution.

The story is about Sameer, a Michael Jackson devotee and a starry eyed struggler who fights his budgets by toasting bread with an iron, and has a broken fridge for a cupboard. Then there are failed auditions and dodging the landlord for rent. He nearly lands up with a music video but is displaced by a star-son. In the process though, he gains the smiley Tina (Genelia) a choreographer as his friend.

While the movie is themed on Dance and occasionally demonstrates its stuff, lame songs and an underused Shahid make a dumb movie dumber. Impracticality continues and a director who just saw Sameer dance casts him 'hero' in his next flick. But wait, the movie has just started and how can it be so goody-goody already? Then, the predictable happens. His production knocks him off for a talent hunt instead.

Till now you just had fun and drama is due to kick-in. A now jobless and homeless Sameer now decides to live in his car. Wait, did I say 'car'? A guy juggling borderline poverty drives around his four wheels! The only silly reason for the car was that the script wanted to have its 'hero' living in a car! It doesn’t end here. He takes up a job teaching school kids to dance while using their bathrooms for ablutions.

Trying to reach out to teens, they had to show have some child drama like the kids wining the inter-school dance competition, all due to Shahid. Though clichéd, the scene where his pupils part with their lunchboxes to feed their hungry and penniless teacher is touching. These lows also give an opportunity to the lead couple to show some chemistry, with a little help from Tina’s brother played neatly by Zain Khan.

It attempts to include humor, but this Augean mess of a movie leaves you curse your choice of movie. As you endure its painful length and poor editing, you turn into a hapless victim of reality TV drama transferred to a larger screen. Substantiating the accusations of imitating King Khan, Shahid does a 'my mom’s dream’ speech that even touches his rigid father. No prizes for guessing the obvious ending.

So, is there anything at all that is worthwhile in this? Barring Genelia’s freshness and some teen stuff, there is nothing. The dances are boring; Shahid retains his Kaminay hairdo and six-pack abs are now passé. Shahid’s forte is about cute looks and dance moves, both of which are untapped fully. So, take my advice, save your time and money; forget that this movie ever released; applies to die hard Shahid fans too!

Rating 3/10: Juvenile! Grab your ‘chance’ to skip this ‘dance’

My Mumbai Marathon 2010

2010-01-17T21:52:00.000+05:30

Undoubtedly my favorite event in Mumbai, this was my fourth tryst. Twice in dream run, I chose to step out of the dream run the 21km Half-Marathon last year. This year too, I was keen to repeat it, albeit with no training in months and some extra pounds.

Around 37,000 people ran the event this year. While the daunting full marathon had its usual suspects from Africa as its undisputed winners, around 11,000 people ran the half-marathon and twice the number in the dream run that combines glamour and fun! It also has a lot of celebrities coming down to add color to the happenings around.

As an improvement from no official runners, to dream run teams in the past, this year saw a 140-strong team from SEBI led by Member Abraham who finished his half-marathon in little over two hours. While the majority ran the dream run, there were around 10 of us for the half-marathon and one in the full marathon!

Lining up for the start, my humble goal was to finish it in 3 hours. The first run on the famed Bandra-Worli Sealink was great. Its dominating pillars & cables flowing on either side with the sun rising on the left were inspiring. The only hitch was that there were no water booths on the Sealink. I did have a chat about this with an official who said that many had complained about it and that it would be set right next year.

After crossing the 12km my legs let me down. Don’t blame them; just blame my lack of practice! If a calf sprain wasn’t sufficient, my micro-bounce Adidas shoes bruised me. Well, invariably, I had to revise my target to reach the finish by 1030hours, after which I wouldn’t get a timing certificate. Injury or not, the Marathon is about pushing oneself and testing our spirit and guts against the distance, isn’t it? So, I went on.

From here on, it was here that the spirit of Mumbai that kept me going. Be it the little kids on Pedder Road who distributed glasses of Tang, urchins assisting volunteers in distributing water or many residents of the posh South Mumbai distributing biscuits and cheering runners. A bit of encouragement sure helps in running a little more.

As the end approached I wondered whether reach by 1030hours. Sadly though, I reached one-a-half minutes later than that. Some rotten luck! As I limped from finish to the medical camp, I sure thought about the lesson of the day i.e., to wake up and regain fitness. Can I do it in two hours next year? I don’t know, but now, I’ll try! The pleasure-pain that my legs still have is a polite warning that says “Dude, keep fit”.

The climax was the gathering at the Standard Chartered family marquee where the SEBI team was treated well, considering the contribution to charities this year. Our senior officials accepted a memento from the organizers for this. Now that the running bug has bitten, I’m sure we can put together a stronger running team next year!

2010 Bollywood Predictions

2010-01-11T12:49:00.000+05:30

Here’s my brief take on 2010 releases in the first half:

“Pyaar Impossible” (08th Jan): Sure flop. It’s anybody’s guess that casting Uday Chopra in any role other than the chatty mechanic he played in Dhoom would be a flop. Priyanka Chopra is a great star wasting her talent in a movie that would bomb badly.

“Dulha Mil Gaya” (08th Jan): Badly Routed. It may have Shah Rukh Khan and other second rung stars like Sushmita Sen and Fardeen Khan. No signs of this getting lucky.

“Red Alert - The War Within” Releasing 15th Jan: Flop. Well, which was the last Suniel Shetty movie that worked well? And a B-grade Sameera Reddy? Forget this!

“Chance Pe Dance” releasing 15th Jan: Can Work: Audience suffering from poorer choices around will give this Shahid Kapoor – Genelia Starrer a thumbs up. No matter what its quality would be, it would score over its rivals releasing that week.

“Veer” releasing 22nd Jan: Will recover its bucks. Imagine Salman Khan wrote the script a long time ago and adjusted it to the current circumstances. Though I don’t think the movie would have much to say, I’m sure it’ll do well among his loyal fans.

“Rann” releasing 22nd Jan: May Work. Senior Bachchan has already created waves for shooting a 13 minute long sequence without re-take. No wonder what his abilities are, it comes with the unpredictability of the ‘Ram Gopal Verma’ tag. Since it targets issues and has a good cast including Ritesh Deshmukh & Paresh Rawal, it may work

“Road to Sangam” releasing 22nd Jan: Critics Only. While Paresh Rawal starrer Rann may work, this one with Om Puri in the cast will possibly work well among critics. As it appears, it’s a movie of the hackneyed ‘unity in diversity’ theme.

“Prince” releasing 29th Jan: Super-flop. Vivek Oberoi cannot really carry a movie all by himself and there are none others here that can either! Absolute waste of budget!

“Teen Patti” releasing 12th Feb, Can work! It may not set the BO on fire, but Amitabh Bachchan, Ben Kingsley and R Madhavan are respectable names for delivering hits.

“My Name Is Khan” releasing 12th Feb. Will Work! The most popular screen couple Shahrukh Khan and Kajol is together again as Karan Johar dons the director’s hat. Forget the gyan that it may offer, it will set the BO on fire in India and Abroad.

“Road, Movie” releasing Feb 26th. Arty stuff that Will Surely Work! Well received at the Toronto International Film Festival, this stars Abhay Deol starrer and is directed by Shyam Benegal’s nephew Dev Benegal. Also starring Tannishtha Chatterjee & Satish Kaushik it deals with a touring cinema in the desert. Watch out for this one!

“Athithi Tum Kab Jaaoge” releasing Feb 26th, Low Chance! Starring Ajay Devgn, Konkana Sen Sharma and Paresh Rawal, the story is about an unwanted distant relative. You may bet your money on Paresh Rawal, but I won’t give it a chance.

“Kites” awaited for April 16th, Will Work. This Hrithik Roshan, Kangana Ranaut and Barbara Mori starrer Romance / Action / Thriller directed by Anurag Basu has already made news for its alleged romances. But Hrithik Factor will make it tick.

“Raajneeti” releasing May 25th, Definite Hit. Katrina works best at the BO. When you have her cast as a great looking saree-clad politician, brace yourself for a big hit. Also starring are Ajay Devgan, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Viviek Oberoi, Arjun Rampal and is political drama directed by Prakash Jha of ‘Gangajal’ & ‘Apaharan’ fame.

“Raavan” clashing with Raajneeti on May 25th; Will Work! This one stars Abhishek as the modern day Raavan with ageing damsel Aishwarya Rai as Sita and Govinda as Hanuman. Coming with the ‘Mani Ratnam’ tag, it has sure chances of success.

Movie Review: Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008/English) 105

2010-01-11T11:05:00.000+05:30

Though having been a movie buff for a long time, I hadn’t watched much of Woody Allen’s movies till recently when “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” was telecast on Zee Studio that opened my eyes to this gem of a movie and the great man behind it. It went without saying that I followed this up watching “Match Point”, “Scoop” and “Hollywood Ending”. The sheer beauty of storytelling without the frills runs through them all.

In this movie, he dissects relationships and lays bare the feelings, physical, emotional and circumstantial that affects romance. The trick is to watch it without making value judgments. Love could blossom in the most unpredictable situations and between unlikely partners. And, in the end, it could all be just so transient!

Set in a summer at Barcelona, the story traces the two months spent by two friends Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson). While Vicky is interested in Catalan culture in which she was doing her masters, Cristina looked for a change of scenery after giving up on a short film and breaking up with a boyfriend. Despite similar views on most issues, the duo had absolutely divergent views on love!

The girls bump into an artist Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) at an art gallery. Later at dinner he propositions them for a weekend of fun at Oviedo. Shot to precision, this is my favorite scene. As the offer is made, the two girls react differently. While Cristina finds Juan Antonio interesting, Vicky detests the idea of following him to Oviedo. But, strange as things turn out, Vicky and Juan Antonio make love eventually.

Vicky is drawn to the artist who still loves his ex-wife Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz, Oscar winner for a Supporting role) who believes that only unfulfilled love can be romantic and had stabbed Juan Antonio. As the days pass, Cristina and Juan Antonio’s are in love and start living together. Vicky then gets married to Doug, her betrothed but her life has changed forever after what she’d experienced in Oviedo.

Maria Elena re-enters the scene. Though having gone green over Juan Antonio initially, Cristina and Maria Elena start their own romance with Antonio joining in later. They discover that Cristina was the missing ingredient in their romance. Though the going is good, Cristina is soon over with Juan Antonio and Maria Elena and falls out. Vicky then tries to take Cristina’s place and ends up getting shot.

In the end, the girls Vicky and Cristina leave Spain, Vicky back to Doug and Cristina back to nowhere ad the artist couple break up. All are back where they started. And you are left wiser to world cinema. Well, if you wondered why Barcelona? The city offered to support the budget if it were short there. Hence, Woody Allen’s original draft for San Francisco was changed to fit Barcelona. The result is a masterpiece.

The story, screenplay and performances are amazing. The Oscar wins and nominations say enough already. It’s a testimony to the superiority of art over high budgets. If you are in a mood for some classy cinema, I recommend this for your DVD collection.

Rating 8/10: Wins you over with its narrative; a must watch!

Movie Review: The Shining (1980/English) 104

2010-01-11T11:04:00.001+05:30

One of those old classics among thriller/ horror genre! Nearly three decades old and over two hours long, the only thing that can keep you glued to the screen is Jack Nicholson’s mesmeric performance while the eerie setting of a lonely hotel in the hills, everything around covered in snow and an untold story of death complete the picture.

Jack Torrance (Nicholson) a writer doubles up as a school teacher to make ends meet. When a position opens up as a caretaker at the Overlook Hotel in the mountains that closes down for the entire winter, Jack grabs the opportunity knowing fully well that a decade ago, one of his kind failed to handle the solitude and murdered his two daughters with an axe and then drowned his wife before shooting himself.

Joining Jack in his sojourn are his wife Wendy (Shelly Duvall), a fan of horror flicks and son Danny (Danny Lloyd). The little boy though seems to have visions of Overlook’s past and flowing blood. A casual chat with Chef Hallorann (Scatman Crothers) reveals that he too like Danny can foresee things and know unspoken words, a skill that is called “shining” here and is adequately demonstrated at significant turns in the film.

The long winter soon gets on Jack’s nerves as he is seen to be visibly stressed by his work and the loneliness of winter. As is must in horror flicks, he soon starts talking to the dead who tell him that he was always the hotel’s manager and compel him to ‘correct’ his son and wife who seem to guard themselves from the ominous. Hallorann, meanwhile envisions the happenings from Miami and flies down to save them.

While Jack Nicholson is an accomplished performer par excellence, Danny Lloyd thoroughly shines in his role. Be it his conversations with the imaginary Tony or his curious cycling around the hotel, chance encounters with the dead girls, his visions of death and the spooky humming of ‘Red-Rum’ which is read backwards as ‘Murder’. Shelly Duvall as the mom already looks spooky and is a fine fit for her role.

Based on the book by Stephen King, Stanley Kubrick the experienced Horror director makes sure that “The Shining” has its moments. Danny’s cycling scenes, sudden appearance of ghosts, conversations with them and the silent emptiness of locale are done well. The chase sequence in the snow-laden giant garden-maze is apt too. Despite its length, the performances will keep you glued to it. Worthwhile on DVD!

Rating 7/10: An old thriller; Jack Nicholson & Danny Lloyd make it worthwhile!

Movie Review: Paranormal Activity (English) 103

2010-01-11T11:03:00.000+05:30

This was supposed to be a movie that scared many in the Western world. If you have seen those advertisements, you can’t miss the audience yelling in theatres. But for all its hype as a realistic scary movie, honestly I wasn’t scared one bit watching this one. The likes of “Ring” or “Grudge” and their sequels were far scarier actually.

The story is about a young couple Micah (Micah Sloat) and Katie (Katie Featherson) who seem to be experiencing the paranormal in their house. Strange footsteps, banging on doors, faucets and lights going on and off doors opening and closing by themselves compel Micah to capture it on camera to better understand the events.

What is worth appreciating is that it has entirely been shot on Handy-cam on a shoe-string budget of USD 15,000. Having already become a successful, the ROI figures would have just gone tizzy. As long as you don’t mind the shaky & grainy pictures and unedited sound buzz and that you only see 6 human faces throughout its near 90 minute runtime, it oozes of creativity and confidence and it scared people too!

So, what makes Paranormal Activity work? It’s the thought of just two people living all alone in a luxuriously huge American house. People can relate to Micah and Katie who are not stars but just commoners; the idea is to make audience feel “hey, it could’ve been us”. Then comes the western obsession with exorcism, ouija boards and yeah ‘demonologists’ to solve their problems despite their tech advances!

I was told that this was to be boring in the beginning with scariness picking up slowly as the story progresses. But, barring those odd scenes of doors moving and strange sounds punctuating it, you wait endlessly for something concrete. When something really happens towards the end, you’re done with your endurance. I saw two of its 3 alternate endings, which were at best unsetting, but not unexpected.

There is however no worthwhile explanation offered for the phenomena happening there and you have to be content with the abrupt ending leaving you tad cheated. And No, it’s not a real story; but, director Oran Peli has definitely made a wonderful effort at keeping it realistic. Ah yes, you have to give it to the director for casting the duo who have such great chemistry. And what more, Sloat doubles up as cameraman too!

If this movie doesn’t work in India, I won’t really be surprised. In countries like ours, the sheer number of people living in a neighborhood can scare ghosts away! But, if you’re looking for a break from the lame Bollywood fare of this week, try this flick. But yeah, if are a tad weak hearted for horror or sleep alone at home, better beware!

Rating 5/10: Commendable effort & realistic feel; nothing too scary!

Movie Review: The Lion King (1994/English) 102

2010-01-11T11:02:00.000+05:30

One of those 90’s classics that I had enjoyed during my schooldays was a beauty to watch again recently. Though the story is just an odd family drama where the less capable brother overthrows the king by deceit while his son runs away; only to return years later to undo the injustice and regain his throne. Where “Lion King” excels is getting this story out of animated animals and put in a way that kids would love.

Pride Rock in Africa is where the earth is green and animals live in peace in the reign of the great lion Mufasa (James Earl Jones) who is assisted by an old wise monkey Rafiki and a loyal bird Zazu (Rowan Atkinson). Plotting with the hyenas, Scar (Jeremy Irons) causes a wildebeest stampede and kills Mufasa while Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas/ Matthew Broderick) takes the blame for putting his father in fatality’s way.

Consequently, Simba runs away to a distant land where he grows up in the company of Timon, a meerkat and Pumba a warthog, characters so lively that their “Hakuna Matata”, the no-worry song is one of its biggest hits with its infectious positivity. In a chance encounter with his former playmate and destined lover Nala reminds him of his unfinished business at home. Wiser now, Simba returns to claim his due!

Made in times that can nostalgically be remembered as the days when animation still had the old artistic beauty with just the right mix of CGI. “Beauty and the Beast” and “Anastasia” too come from a similar time and won accolades for their Music. Though its sequels or games weren’t too appealing, the original is still a masterpiece. You can’t just miss those adorable characters, each filled with life and character!

No description of “Lion King” can be complete without a befitting praise to its songs. While Hans Zimmer won the Oscar for the best score, Elton John’s Can You Feel the Love Tonight in the credits is its best song. The judicious mix of African vocals in “Circle of Life” the deep darkness of “Be Prepared” and childish fun of “Can’t wait to be king” keep ringing much after the movie is over and even after years pass by!

With its short runtime of just over an hour, it doesn’t take away much of your time but doesn’t at all fail to take you into itself. Neatly edited, there is never a time that you get bored with it. Though technology has moved light years after Lion King, I’d still say that if you have missed watching it back then, better run and grab the DVD!

Rating 8/10: A fine animated story with lively characters and lovely music!

Movie Review: 3 Idiots (Hindi) 101

2010-01-07T15:16:00.000+05:30

Coming from the director of the “Munnabhai” series, on the face of it, 3 idiots is a complete paisa vasool comedy. As with his earlier flicks, it has benign intentions at heart, and some lessons for the system. Vis-à-vis a goon do-gooder there, you have an enigmatic genius here who seems turn everything that he touches into gold; which includes smiles, encouragement, healing, love, creativity, tears and some hard lessons.

The system under attack here is similar to that in Aamir’s previous masterpiece “Tare Zameen Par”: Education as he steps up his ire from schools to professional colleges that emphasize on cramming and bagging ranks. One of the gags says: “if you don't run, you'll be like a broken anda”. Facing the attack is the fictional Imperial College of Engineering, modeled on the famed IITs and shot on campus at IIM Bangalore.

Drawing inspiration from Chetan Bhagat’s ‘5 point someone’, it tracks the lives of its 3 protagonists Ranchhoddas Chanchad or Rancho (Aamir Khan), Farhan Qureshi (R Madhavan) and Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi) through their college days, their battles with the dictatorial Director Viru Sahasrabuddhe or ViruS (Boman Irani) and a dabbles into Rancho’s love interest and ViruS’ daughter and a doctor, Pia (Kareena Kapoor).

3 Idiots also tackles issues such as pursuing a stream of education against one’s own creative interests or heart’s calling, teaching a hard lesson to ragging seniors and an odd lesson to slimy nerds. While he goes about things, he gets Pia to fall for him too. Rancho’s bold methods irk ViruS, the similar antagonist from Hirani’s Munnabhai. Of course, as must all movies end, Rancho opens up ViruS’ eyes towards the end.

The funniest scene in undoubtedly is the one involving Rancho modifying Chatur’s speech. While it had to praise ViruS for his ‘chamatkar’ (miracles) in the college, the modified ‘balatkar’ (rape) brings out the reality. With Omi Vaidya delivering it to rote perfection, you’d be rolling on the floor laughing. Here, don’t also miss Hirani’s lesson that mugging up without understanding is ‘balatkar’ of knowledge.

While it’s not all perfect, there are times when the drama is overdone, especially the delivery scene on a TT table! But considering its other goodies, overlooking this is quite easy. The best goodie comes in the form of editing wherein it weaves the past and present events as Farhan and Raju accompanied by a vengeful Chatur try to unearth the whereabouts of the ‘real’ Rancho who disappeared during the convocation.

Aamir Khan is synonymous with quality films. It’s another thing though that I found last year’s "Ghajini” purely average and it turned out to be a hit. But, with 3 Iditots, his sole release for this year, Aamir, in my reckoning is back to his glory days of “Tare Zameen Par”. If the rave reviews and BO collections are to be believed, 3 idiots is a Smash-Hit. If you have still not seen this meaningful laugh riot, rush now for a bite of its gyaan.

Rating 8/10: Intelligent Script plus Munnabhai-esque fun = a sure entertainer

2009 Movies: The Year that went by

2010-01-06T12:26:00.002+05:30

Though this year had many a big release, somehow, I was able to write reviews for only 13 of them. Here is my take on the best and worst of the year!

The one that takes the cake for being the most worthwhile movie-going experience is James Cameron’s “Avatar” that simply redefined the boundaries of imagination. 2009 in a way belonged to Hollywood releases as “2012” romped home with pots of moolah. With these now being released in Hindi, Telugu & Tamil simultaneously, domestic audience seems to have become more welcoming towards Hollywood releases.

For Bollywood, it’s actually a close call between “Dev.D” and “3 Idiots”. Though I loved the latter for its exceptionally intelligent script and a captivating performance by Aamir plus its comic timing, I would still stick my neck out and give my prize for the best 2009 Bollywood movie to “Dev.D”. One can’t deny its sheer creativity. No matter what the politically correct critics may say, I feel Anurag Kashyap’s in-your-face style stands out!

Following them, two other movies make it to my list of decent entertainers. “X-Men Origins” story of the Wolverine stood out for exceptional special effects and action. The “Curious case of Benjamin Button” had its own curious way of telling a story as Brad Pitt aged backwards. The movie’s title also helped journos when a Button won the Formula 1 title this year, the scribes were quick to call it “The curious case of Jenson Button”.

Continuing with Hollywood success stories, “Twilight” and its sequel “New Moon” drew flak from critics but created a sensation among teens. “Terminator Salvation” was average for me but adrenalin junkies loved it. Thriller “Jennifer’s Body” that sounds sleazy for a title was average too. Critically acclaimed and poverty obsessed “Slumdog Millionaire”, technically a 2009 release in India brought long due laurels to AR Rahman.

Where my views and the Bollywood BO contradict, there’s a yawny “All the Best” and south-style action “Wanted” that raked in good money. “De Dana Dan” that I was glad to miss also did well. A pointless “Wake up Sid” and a poor thriller “Raaz 2” also worked out well. If ever there was a Razzie for Indian movies, Himesh and his flop “Radio” would surely grab it up. Akshay-Deepika starrer “Chandni Chowk to China” also bombed badly.

While Ranbir starrer “Rocket Singh’s” quiet success and his commercial hit “Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani” that I missed watching catapulted him to the star of the year status, his estranged girl Deepika fared poorly with an average “Love Aaj Kal” and a hopeless “Chandni Chowk to China”. Those bagging credit include the Senior Bachchan for his kiddie “Paa” and Aamir Khan for his student genius in “3 idiots”. For the lead ladies, yet again, it’s Katrina who’s ruling the box office followed by performer Kareena.

Movie Review: Avatar (English) 100

2009-12-21T17:25:00.000+05:30

First, he gave us slimy “Aliens” that Sigourney Weaver battled hard as Ripley. Then the cult hit “Terminator” that created a new benchmark for science fiction and followed it up with the smash hit sequel “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” which initiated many in my generation to Sci-Fi and admiration of Hollywood. “Titanic” mesmerized fans of both SFX and Romance genres while it pushed the envelope for elaborate production design.

More than 12 years after “Titanic” comes the most awaited movie of the recent years “Avatar” in which James Cameron has created a whole new Planet Pandora replete with new creatures, predators and humanoid aliens that in every way are beautiful! Well, it did cost him more than 300 million USD to make it and another 100 spent on promotion, but the spectacle that you see on the gigantic IMAX screen in 3D is beyond words!!

Set in 2154 and 4 light years away, humans are now exploiting ‘Pandora’ an earth-like moon orbiting a gas giant in Alpha Centauri for an expensive and rare mineral appropriately called ‘unobtanium’. Coming in their way are the indigenous Na’vi who need to be relocated from their ‘home-tree’ that sits on a deposit of unobtainium.

RDA, the company has already tried its best to convince the Na’vi to move. They have taught them English and tried offering infrastructure. But, being content in their natural settings, the Na’vi have no interest in what the humans have to offer. English plus business: doesn’t this remind you of European colonization in some sort?

The air on Pandora is toxic to humans necessitating the wearing of gas masks outdoors. To get around this, the researchers led by Dr Grace Augustine played by good old Sigourney Weaver have developed an alien-human hybrid ‘Avatar’ that can be mentally controlled by the brain of the person whose DNA was used to build it. Here, the idea of jacking into a computer generated digital-self will surely remind you of “The Matrix”!

The death of his researcher brother in the Avatar program leads to his paraplegic ex-Marine brother Jake Sully joining up the Avatar program. Played by Sam Worthington of Terminator Salvation fame, Jake is happy using his Avatar that gets him to use his legs. Soon, he befriends the tree living Na’vi and its huntress princess Neytiri. Learning their ways during the day, Jake returns to debrief his trigger-happy boss, Colonel Quaritch.

Soon Jake begins to appreciate the harmony and spiritual connection the Na’vi have with nature and falls in love with Neytiri, much to the dismay of Quaritch who attacks the home-tree. Though the script was written a decade ago, I believe Cameron has subtly hit out at the recent American battles for oil that the administration justified in dubious ways. For those who say the script is poor, take this quote from Jake Sully “When people are sitting on stuff you want, you make them your enemy”. Thought provoking indeed!

Visual effects are Avatar’s forte as it creates a new world before you. Filmed in blank sets with motion capture, the actors had to act out without ever knowing what it would look like on screen. Sensors on the Actors’ body and spots on their faces picked up moves and emotions bringing the CGI characters to life. To bring his actors up to speed, Cameron took them to jungles in Hawaii to bring them up to speed on jungle life. 60% of Avatar is CGI with only 40% being real footage. What you’re left with is a WOW!

While you may not see Zoe Saldana as Neytiri anywhere in its 162 minutes, the nimble ballet trained actor worked hard to make her character so endearing and realistic. The scenes where she trains Jake in the art of war are its best, be it bonding with the Ikran that seems like a flyer straight from ‘Jurassic Park’ or riding Pa’li the hairless horse.

The biggest blame that Avatar can take is that its story is too predictable. Man recruited to fight, falls for the local culture and turns his guns around; just as you saw in “The Last Samurai”. But, making Avatar cool are its special effects that seem so real in IMAX 3D.

Emotion seekers and script blamers can’t really deny the story’s soft side when you see the Na’vi suffer human attack and they die fighting for nature we have scant respect for. For one, Na’vi lived for everything we don’t. Politically too, the battle takes a dig on the suffering the Native Red Indians went through in the country that Hollywood comes from.

On Music, James Horner’s score doesn’t really stand out and has his ‘Troy’-esque feel. Probably, a score that doesn’t stick out as a sore thumb is good enough in a movie that’s all about special effects. As for Cameron and Horner, this is their third venture together after ‘Aliens’ and ‘Titanic’ with the latter giving him his first and only Oscar honors.

As a director, James Cameron doesn’t need a critic’s recommendation. He dropped out of college and drove trucks, but Cameron is the super benchmark movie maker with truly gifted imagination and commitment to translate his dreams to the screen. You simply can’t ask for more from a sci-fi movie at least for a few more years to come!

The least I can do with my review is to give it a 10/10. What are you waiting for? Go pull out your newspapers or log on to the web, check show times for 3D and book your tickets now! An IMAX would be even better. Believe me, it’s a bang for your buck!

Rating 10/10: I’m Speechless! Simply redefines cinematic experience!

Movie Review: Jennifer’s Body (English) 99

2009-12-15T16:28:00.001+05:30

The name of the movie surely sounds seedy; but has nothing to do with overt skin shows and explicit adult content. Ah, but when you cast an actress of the order of Megan Fox, it does enough to set the screen on fire though the film is nothing spectacular. Here, it’s not about being unappreciative of thrillers but it’s always important to have a storyline that keeps up the suspense, the scenes flow well is dark enough to spook you out.

School hottie and cheerleader Jennifer played by Megan Fox, the sole USP of this movie and Needy being best friends. When the two visit a bar to listen to a new band called ‘low-shoulder’, a mysterious fire leads to events that change their lives. The band sacrifices Jen thinking her to be virgin that she is not, leading the devil to take over her body. The succubus now needs flesh to stay youthful and stars preying on the boys.

JB is supposed to be a film of the dark comedy and thriller genres. But amidst all the teen action, a female to female kiss and a succubus that looks ravishing, there is nothing remotely comical in the movie’s intensions. Usual thrillers scare you with a cocktail of a viewer’s hidden fears and everyday situations. But, JB is about seduction that ends with the boy turning into dinner. But, isn’t a succubus supposed to make love before it kills?

After thralling audiences in the Transformers series, Megan Fox was a wonderful choice to play someone who has an irresistible exterior with the extra attitude while the devil lurks within. The movie definitely belongs to her, upping its ratings. While Fox took all the stress of looking pretty throughout, Amanda Seyfried has done well as the nerdy Needy, the buddy who nurses a long pent up frustration against a domineering Jennifer.

Though JB is a thriller unworthy of an Oscar winning scriptwriter Diablo Cody, it’s not bad either. There are some genuinely scary scenes and special effects that make the experience worthwhile. Though not released in India as yet, check out the DVD! And, if you think that Megan Fox’s tryst with the supernatural ends with this, wait for the ‘Jonah Hex’ releasing Mid 2010 that has bounty hunters, voodoo and armies of the undead.

Rating 4/10: Just your average thriller with a demon babe!

Movie Review: Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (Hindi) 98

2009-12-14T18:16:00.002+05:30

Coming from the writer of movies like ‘Khosla ka Ghosla’ it was expected that Rocket Singh would have in core, a simplistic protagonist driven by values put in an unforgiving world leading him to come up with intelligent solutions driven by honesty albeit with a twist. Directed by Shmit Amin of ‘Chak De’ fame, the movie lives up to its expectations, especially those hinged around Ranbir, script writer Jaideep Sahani and its Director!

Fresh out of college and low on marks, Ranbir, the young Sardar lives on the principle of ‘number kam hai, dimaag nahi’ and believes firmly in his skills of persuasion. His belief leads him to join the sales team of AYS, a computer assembly and service company. Tough benchmarks set by his street-smart sales manager Nitin and boss Puri and revelations of corporate corruption bring the honest youngster down to earth with a thud.

Sympathizing his helplessness, receptionist Koyna played by Gauhar Khan minus the charm from her Miss India days, gives him a lead. He soon discovers that the profit on delivering those computers on his own gets him more money, he recruits his porn obsessed colleague Giri to assemble them for a share in profit. An insult by Puri, leads him to expand his own ‘Rocket Sales’ business based on values, secretly within AYS.

Going the Khosla ka Ghosla way and living on the essence of goodness and heart that movies like the Munnabhai or its likes thrived on, Rocket Singh sells his way by being a decent entertainer with realistic characters. The sales struggle, typical office environs, simple office parties, hard nosed bosses, etc make sure that the movie does not lose its touch of reality. Nevertheless, sermons on goodness tend to bore you at times though.

Neat script apart, Music doesn’t have emphasis. Even the song ‘pocket mein rocket’ is not seen in the film. Other pitfalls include the seemingly long first half. Talking of his look, was it really relevant to turn Ranbir into a Sardar for the story? I don’t think so. Probably the makers of the movie wanted the young star to wear different look this time Or, were they keen on not making this movie look like ‘Wake up Sid’ part two! Any guesses?

Ranbir Kapoor proves yet again that he is completely capable of carrying a movie on his shoulders. Taking to his roles as a fish to water, his talent is undeniable. Debutante Shazahn Padamsee doesn’t have much to do in the movie. In supporting roles, Naveen Kaushik as the sales manager with the long side-burns and the role of Giri are very well scripted. In all, Rocket Singh sells itself to you as ‘values’ for the money you spent!

Rating 6/10: Scores with its simple story and its core of honesty!

Movie Review: The Twilight Saga: New Moon (English) 97

2009-12-14T17:19:00.000+05:30

If you thought the first ‘twilight’ was a sleepy teen-romance, new moon sleepwalked itself to another level. Continuing from the first flick, Bella and Edward are deeply in love. With Bella turning 18, she starts to have nightmares about becoming old, while her lover remains as youthful as ever. Reluctantly, she attends the party which the Cullens have organized for her where she accidentally cuts herself and Jasper can’t resist blood.

Edward becomes increasingly concerned about her continued vulnerability and his family leaves Forks. Soon our pretty lady finds solace in the adoring Jacob Black who later turns out to be a werewolf. The rest is a triangular love story and the tale of who saves Bella from the vengeful vampire Victoria. At this point, one wonders, can’t Bella really find ‘normal’ boyfriend or does she have an inclination for abnormal stuff?

New Moon introduces the well dressed Volturi, the law enforcers among vampires who have lived on for thousands of years. While this may look creative for an idea in a book, there is a glaring lack of depth in the treatment of characters. Worthy of mention though is the talented 15 year old Dakota Fanning as ‘Jane’ the Volturi vampire who can cause feelings of pain. It’s anyone’s guess that her casting would keep younger teens happy!

Before you can write twilight off, the bland New Moon does have a few sparks. Taylor Lautener who was just a silly long haired kid in Twlight turns into a well-chiseled Werewolf. The only efforts on visual effects are seen in the human-werewolf transformations and camera angles for chase sequences are also neat. Sadly, it doesn’t do much to redeem the damage done by its weak script and sleepy performances.

Criticism apart, the books and the movies are equally successful though the meat of the story in all the four books is only good enough for one movie of two hours. But, when the movies are raking in the moolah from ticket sales to souvenirs, owing to its teen craze internationally, why bother to change anyway! Here though, the audience count on a Friday night at a leading multiplex was a mere 14! Definitely not worth it!

Rating 3/10: For all its hype, New Moon suffers with a weak story & sleepy pace!

Movie Review: Radio (Hindi) 96

2009-12-07T17:49:00.000+05:30

“What did you think you were doing?”, “Are you crazy”, etc. were some of the reactions when I said that I saw Himesh Reshammiya’s ‘Radio’ on the big screen this weekend. While buying the tickets, even the box office staffer said “Go for Paa instead, it’s a good movie”. But, my curiosity to see this composer turned singer turned actor’s indomitable spirit to fight the odds and his detractors led me to sit through this apology of a movie.

Vivaan Shah (Himesh) is a popular RJ on Radio Mirchi who solves romantic tangles and of his callers; but his own life is in a mess following a divorce from Puja (Sonal Sehgal). However, neither accepts it well and harbor feelings for each other. Meanwhile, he runs into a free spirited Shenaya (Shenaaz Treasurywala) which develops into a meaningful bond. Both the women love him, as Vivaan refuses to acknowledge it or believe in love.

It’s well known that Himesh can’t act! Furthermore, he has dumped his hinterland audience to tap urban youth with references to Facebook, coffee conversations and RJ talk. Its tag line “It’s complicated” seems inspired from the relationship choices on Facebook. I could never imagine anybody turning this playful phrase into a whole two hour movie! But, none of the youth stuff is capitalized and bears no effect on the story.

‘Radio’ comes to you in chapters, about 18 of them. While most are poorly scripted, some come with bits of intelligent dialogue sprinkled in between. Old time VJ Shenaaz who’s started to look old now makes a decent effort to be sweet and adorable and is the better one amongst the three leads. Sonal Sehgal’s effort is bearable. However, given Himesh’s constipated expression throughout, there was nothing to save the movie.

The masala in the story includes a weirdly comical Punjabi and Parsi family of Shenaya whose family can never get their dish antenna fixed despite the Punjabi father being a senior cop. Probably Himesh didn’t want his characters to buy dish antennas sold by his mentor Salman’s competitors Shahrukh or Aamir. Paresh Rawal in his cameo as the forever-in-doubt ‘Jhandu Lal Tyagi’ makes a feeble attempt to tickle your funny bone.

To its credit, you don’t feel cheated when you watch ‘Radio’. That’s because you watch it with expectations which are around zero or probably in the negative territory. In the end, you may come back humming a few of its songs ‘Teri Meri Dosti Ka Aasmaan’ or ‘Rafa Dafa’. ‘Mann Ka Radio’ or rather ‘Gham ka Radio’ played repeatedly in the first few minutes makes it feel like a nail being drilled into a head and ‘Damaadji’ is horrendous.

With just 19 people strong audience, that too on the opening weekend speaks for itself. Some of us in there took pleasure in mocking at Himesh in every other scene. So, you know what to expect! Wait, before you think you can write off his filmi career, our Nasal star is all set to strike back again with ‘Kajraare’ later this month, ‘Ishq Unplugged’ in post production for 2010 followed by ‘Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekkh Mudh Mudh Ke’!

Rating 2/10: Himesh, for God’s sake, stop acting and stick to composing!

Movie Review: Twilight (English) 95

2009-11-23T17:49:00.000+05:30

While we saw Twilight being released only this Friday in India, the audience in the Americas, Europe and South East Asia saw its sequel, ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon’ and another sequel is already under production. The first of these, based on the four book series on teenage vampire romance by Stephenie Meyer thrilled teens precisely a year ago in the West. Had they forgotten that Hollywood has a sizeable market here?

Seventeen year old Isabella Swan moves to live with her father in Forks; a town near Washington State's coast after her mother is remarried. Being cute, as most thriller actresses are, many boys eye her. But, she is drawn towards Edward, the lone guy in the mysterious Cullen family teens. Initially Edward seems to detest her, but soon, both get talking. Love blossoms when he saves Bella from a crash with his bare hands.

Curiosity and intrigue draws Bella to Edward whom, she discovers is a vampire. But, he is a vegetarian one, in the sense that he consumes only animal blood! Soon we are introduced his vampire family led by Carlisle Cullen, whom the town knows as a doctor. The Cullen family encounters the nomadic vampires who are keen to snack on Bella, thus bringing us to the climax of the battle between the good & bad vampires.

Though I haven’t read the book, I felt that key drivers in a vampire romance would be intense passion, some lust blended with thrill seeking teenage innocence as Bella falls for Edward. But, when you see Kristen Stewart and Briton Robert Pattinson, at best, you stop at saying ‘yeah, they are a cute couple’. With the emotional metamorphosis that leads Bella to Edward completely missing, what’s left seems liked a rushed up story!

Some of the characters that could have done with more depth are that of the nomadic vampire James who hunts Bella or the hunter’s consort Victoria. In the end, when you see Victoria watching over the lead couple, the viewer just doesn’t seem to care since these characters were hardly allowed to develop. Another character that deserves sympathy was Chief Swann, Bella’s father who almost had nothing to do throughout.

As you sleepwalk through the story, some sporadic moments make it worthwhile. The speedy tree climbing scenes and romance in the meadows are decent. Twilight also highlights another dilemma of a movie maker. Since romances and thrillers are not a natural combination, filmmakers are somehow stuck between the two and deliver the best of neither. The lack of blood and gore helps the romance but loses on thrills.

Although the movie has made more than half a billion dollars globally, including DVD sales, it lacks the spark. The teen romance plus a lot of low light special effects in blue-grey tint messes up on poor script, lack of character development. Maybe, just the scary thought of a lone girl in the company of a family of vampires probably kept the movie ticking. Despite all its misses, I’d say that you won’t really regret watching it at home.

Rating 5/10: Special effects, pretty faces & some romance; nothing striking though

F1 Race Review: Brazilian GP 2009

2009-10-20T20:40:00.000+05:30

We have a new World Champion! Jenson Button has just done it for debutants Brawn GP. A team whose future was in the grey not too long ago is on top of the table with Button tasting success which long eluded him. The ex-Ferrari strategist and team boss Ross Brawn must be the proudest man in the F1 Paddock! While Webber, Kubica and Hamilton celebrated their podium, the limelight was on the Brawn Garage!

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration if I said that Brazil always gives us some great race to watch out for. In addition to it being among the last few races on the calendar leading to championship battles, the anti-clock circuit with its ups and downs and rain surprises is a thrill to watch. The enthusiasm of sport crazed Brazilian goes without saying too. Sadly for them, they are yet to see a Brazilian F1 Champion after the Ayrton Senna’s time!

Talking of his attempts to win at Interlagos, old Rubinho is plain unlucky. In his 16 starts at Brazil, he has simply never won a race at home. In the race this Sunday, he was running fourth with 9 laps to go while a slow puncture spoilt the slim outside chance he had if he could score a podium and keep the gap between him and Button less than 10. Compatriot and recovering Felipe Massa was content waving the Chequered Flag.

While Saturday’s qualifying was washed out by the rain, Rubens Barrichello made the best of it by grabbing Pole. Beside him was the eventual winner Mark Webber who drove a flawless race to a second win on Sunday. Debutant Kobayashi made his mark holding off experienced drivers, though at times being a bit aggressive. Poor Raikkonen had brush with flames as fuel from the fuel hose of his fellow Finn Heikki in the pit lane.

Coming to the Bottom line, was Button a deserving Champion? After all these years, initial skepticism from his dad, an early entry at the age of 20 and then a playboy image, Button has seen the worst before making it this year. As the jubilant Button sang the good old Queen’s song, “We are the Champions” a favorite of many F1 drivers, the world saw its 31st Champion, 10th one for the British. Way to Go Jenson Button!

As much as the battle for the title may be over, the race is still on for the second place. Just two points apart, young talent Sebastian Vettel would be seen battling the Veteran Barrichello in the freshly built Yas Marina Circuit at Abu Dhabi. Owing to my travel schedule, possibly, there would be no review of the race from me. Though unlikely, I’ll still try to watch the last race of 2009, before the 6 month lull leading to 2010.

Well, here’s one from me now. Yours truly would, most likely, be visiting the Sepang International Circuit this weekend to witness the Malaysian Moto Grand Prix LIVE! With Valentino ‘Doctor’ Rossi having a 38 point lead, it would be awesome to witness the legend take his seventh Premier Class title on two wheels! Having gone there, I should squeeze in time for Pit-walks, autographs, bike shows and some Go-Karting too!

Coming Soon: Test Drive Reports

2009-07-21T15:12:00.002+05:30

Adding to the reviews of Bollywood/ Hollywood movies and Formula 1 races that I keep writing, I plan to add a section on Automobile Test Drives!

As much as my reviews have helped my friends make their movie choices, I hope the reviews on cars can add similar value too.

However, for this to achieve fruition, please contribute to the discussion through the comments section! Lets see how things work out in the days to come...

Cheers!

Travel to Mysore

2009-07-07T11:19:00.000+05:30

Mysore is well connected by Roads & Trans & by Air (Bangalore). The weather during July - August between the comfortable band of 28°C to 20°C with occasional rainfall. The City is in the relatively safe seismic zone II. Sufficient greenery, lakes and a hill add to the charm of the capital of a yesteryear Kingdom.

By Air: The closest Airport is the spanking new ‘Bengaluru International Airport’ on the northern outskirts of Bangalore. Upon landing, take the Red Volvo air-conditioned buses to either Kempegowda Bus Station at Majestic by BIA-9 or Satellite Bus Stand on Mysore Road by BIA-2. Details of Travel from Bangalore covered below.

By Train: Mysore has direct trains from Mumbai (weekly, starting on Tuesdays) and from Tirupati, Chennai, Mangalore, Secunderabad, New Delhi. Since most long distance trains go to Bangalore from where, one can travel to Mysore. The track distance to Mysore from Bangalore is 139km which the daily Shatabdi Express originating in Chennai completes 1:50 hours. Tippu Express Superfast does it in 2:20 hours; other express trains take 2:55 hours and passenger trains take longer.

By Bus: The Bangalore and Mysore are 146km apart. People preferring to travel by Volvo buses to Mysore may board the same from Kepegowda Bus Station at Majestic while the ordinary non-stop buses are available from the other bus stand. While the former take a little more than 2 hours, the latter takes a little more than 3 to accomplish the journey. Roads come into Mysore from Coimbatore and Kerala from the South, Mangalore from the West and Hubli/ Hassan from the North.

Tourist Attractions: Chamundi Hill and the Chamundeshwari Temple, The Mysore Palace, Jagan Mohan Palace and Art Gallery, Zoo & St. Philomena’s Church at Mysore; KRS Dam, Brindavan Gardens & Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in the nearby Mandya District Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and Tomb, Sangam & Nimishamba Temple at Srirangapatna. Nature enthusiasts can explore Gopalaswami Betta, Bayalukuppe, Coorg, BR Hills, Bandipur, Ooty that are a few hours away. History Enthusiasts can explore the ancient temples of Somanathapura, Belur and Helebidu from the Hoysala Era also a couple of hours away.

Movie Review: Terminator Salvation (English) 94

2009-06-28T14:14:00.001+05:30

Mess is what one creates when an extremely successful franchise is striped off its core elements and goes high on firepower. The fourth installment thus comes to you, sans its icon, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Disappointing from the word go, you are left waiting for a coherent story to evolve. Probably, the lack of imagination has something to do with the absence of James Cameron, who it seems neither blessed nor cursed this film.

2003, Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a convict on a death row agrees to give up his body to medical research. Cut to 2018, John Connor (Christian Bale), is leading his men against a Skynet base where finds the machines developing a Terminator with a human tissue exterior. The mission ends in a blast leaving him the sole survivor. Command tells Connor that that his name is No.2 on the Skynet hit list with No.1 being Kyle Reese.

Connor initially doesn’t realize the importance of Reese but, from his mother’s tapes, he soon learns that the now teenager Reese is the one that Connor would send into the past to protect his mother and to father him. Marcus meanwhile makes contact with a downed pilot who brings him to the Resistance base. While treating an injured Marcus, the men realize that he a Cyborg with a metal endoskeleton sneaking into their base.

Now, John is faced with either distrusting Marcus as he is a machine, and on other, to trust him, as he could be his only chance to rescue Reese from the clutches of Skynet. The climax of the story, not revealed here, is replete with humanoid Terminators, Hunter-Killer hovercrafts, giant human collectors and eel-like Hydrobots with the highlight being the cameo of the CGI of a youngish Schwarzenegger as the freshly developed T-800.

For a fact, most moviegoers have been fans of this franchise for the role portrayed by Arnold and to Cameron’s imagination of bringing together the concepts of a holocaust, robots taking over, time travel, etc as far back as 1984 when the first Terminator hit the screens and when it was reprised in 1992. The third, released in 2003 sorely missed Cameron but somehow managed decent business with Schwarzenegger’s presence.

Differing from its predecessors, the narrative is not set in the present day but nearly a decade into the future. The neat special effects in shades of grey amplify the hollowness of the future where people eat stale coyote to survive. Also notable are the rich tributes to its predecessors, including a duel with a severed Terminator, grabbing of shotgun and quotes such as “I’ll be back” and “come with me if you want to live” among others.

Comparisons aside, fast paced action is the forte of Terminator Salvation. If mindless firepower, robots, high speed bike chases suit your taste, you probably won’t regret watching it. However, all of its two hours sum up into nothing more than a video game set in the future. As much as I wanted to deride this disappointing movie, I have still given it a chance with 4 on 10 for its legacy value, among the ‘just average’ flicks.

Rating 4/10: High on octane and also on boredom

Goodbye Michael Jackson

2009-06-27T15:07:00.004+05:30

It's sad to know that the Legendary King of Pop is no more. The news of his passing must have come as a shock to so many of us who grew up listening to his music and possibly, it must have been the first among the English hits we heard as kids.

In the world of music, I guess he was among the few firsts to be a songwriter, composer, singer and a dancer par excellence. Hundreds have followed his trends. Also, many Bollywood & Regional movie music and dance is painted with his 'inspiration'.

Folks, forget for a moment that he was allegedly involved in pedophilia or that his private life was in a mess during the later part of his life. What's important is that he made great music!! May his soul rest in peace!! May his music live on!!

F1 Race Review: British GP 2009

2009-06-23T17:07:00.000+05:30

F1 Race Review: British GP 2009

Mad Max seems to be stealing the show these days rather than the cars and drivers themselves. The controversial budget cap rule conjured by Max and Bernie seems to have pushed the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) over the edge, threatening to form a breakaway series! Remember my 2007 write-up titled ‘Illogical Rule Changes in F1 for 2008’. This is precisely what happens when rule-making is devoid of logic!

What is the controversial cap? 2010 onwards, teams that run within USD40 million enjoy technical liberties like flexi wings, etc while those that don’t conform to this cannot, thus leading to a two tier F1. Eight teams including Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, both Red Bulls, Brawn and Renault and BMW are against this, claiming that lack of technical upgrades undermines the raison d'être in Formula1. Meanwhile, Bernie hopes for a compromise.

Coming to the race weekend, this may well be the last race at the historical airfield of Silverstone. It’s really sad that the very track that saw the first ever F1 race on May 13, 1950 will no longer figure in the calendar. Already, the 2008 season missed the French race Magny Cours, the very country where grands prix were born. Well, if FOTA were to really have a breakaway series beginning 2010, I wish Silverstone figures there!

Cooler temperatures led to tyre heating issues on the Brawns, giving Vettel and Webber the opportunity to charge ahead. Starting from Pole, Vettel drove in Shumacheresque fashion, losing the lead just once to Webber while pitting; the latter, who actually started light lost his chance to fight for a win as a minor hitch in qualifying, for which he blamed Kimi, led to the Aussie losing the Pole and settle for a Second at the chequered flag.

Brawn meanwhile had to be satisfied with Barrichello’s third and Button’s sixth places. Ferrari meanwhile, showed resurgent form at Silverstone with Massa and Kimi finishing fourth and eighth. The curious thing to note though was that Ferrari was the only team running KERS in the race, with McLaren and BMW having nearly given it up. Maybe making top teams waste USD50 million on this was FIA’s idea to save costs!!

Rosberg and Trulli at fifth and seventh were the remaining point scorers. Force India though seems to have been improving these days. Fisichella drove impeccably to finish tenth. Lady luck seems to be eluding our tricolor team from the points. Well, considering that Williams and Force India are the only existing teams to have made unconditional applications for 2010, Mallya’s dream of a podium could come true pretty soon!

Despite a lowly sixth, Button still leads with 64 points for the Drivers’ title followed by Barrichello at 41, Vettel at 39 and Webber at 35.5. Brawn GP has crossed the hundred-marker and stands atop with 105 with Red Bull 30 odd points behind. Big names Ferrari and McLaren are at fourth and sixth. Pragmatically speaking, none of the defending or past champions, be it the drivers or teams stand a realistic chance for the 2009 title.

As the storm clouds gather on continuity of F1 in its present form 2010 onwards, Button seems to care no more as he now just needs three more wins. Though Newey’s Red Bulls are charging ahead, there seems to be little semblance to ‘battle’ for the title. Meanwhile, till the next race at Nurburgring on July 12, do pray for sanity to dawn on Mad Max and Bernie so that we can see legends Ferrari & McLaren continue in F1.

Movie Review: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (English) 93

2009-06-12T17:31:00.001+05:30

Genre: Sci-Fi / Action / Fantasy

A decent Hollywood movie coming around after quite a long time! The marvel comics’ fictional characters from the X-Men trilogy are already popular with movie and comic fans. Set as a prequel to the trilogy, the story is centered on the origin and the life of the mutant James Howlett/ Logan/ Wolverine and his skirmishes with his half-brother Victor Creed. With not a minute wasted, rest assured that this will be an interesting watch!

Beginning in 1845 Canada, young and sickly James Howlett witnesses his father being murdered by Thomas Logan who is later revealed as James’ father. Fleeing home, young James and brother Victor, both wolf-like, indestructible and immortal mutants fight in the American Civil War, both World Wars and the Vietnam War. Their skills attract the attention of Major Stryker who recruits them into specially set up all-mutant Team X.

The team’s mutant members include shooter Agent Zero, a mercenary, a teleporter, an invincible muscleman, a technopath among others. Tired of violence and inhuman acts meted out by the group, James leaves to retire into the quiet of the Canandan woods as a lumberjack. But, the violent past just doesn’t end as Victor returns to finish off Team X; instead murders James Logan’s lover, thus putting the latter on the path of revenge.

Stryker convinces James, now Logan to accept a bio-metallurgical reinforcement so that he can avenge his lover’s death. The element is the virtually indestructible adamantium which now makes Logan, now Wolverine’s bones and claws razor sharp and deadly. As the story unfolds, Stryker is also busy readying Weapon XI, a mutant-super-soldier that combines abilities of all other mutants being researched at the secret facility.

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine holds the movie throughout and plays the part to perfection replete with the intensity we have been familiar with in the other X-Men movies. Liev Schreiber as the brother of the protagonist and interchangeably an adversary and ally plays his part menacingly well. Of course, there are other weird mutants designed to keep the make-up man busy on the set. Ben Kingsley’s cameo is cherry on the cake.

Shot mostly in Australia and New Zealand, the movie locales chosen well and the special effects ensure that your interest is kept alive throughout. Although there are action sequences that beat logic by any stretch of imagination such as Agent Zero reloading his guns in mid-air and Gambit fighting off bullets with a sword, this is just passed off as creativity. Remember, the movie is both Sci-fi and Fantasy!

Rating: 7/10 – Watch it for Special effects, gripping script & Hugh Jackman!

F1 Race Review: Spanish GP 2009

2009-05-12T17:27:00.000+05:30

The month of May this year marks the fifteenth anniversary of the infamous accident at San Marino that took the life out of legend Ayrton Senna. This month, Working Title films begin making the official documentary of the yesteryear Champion’s life. Also among other events, in the run up to the Spanish race, the FIA has ruffled the feathers of major manufacturers threatening to create a two-tier Formula1 involving budget caps.

As has been the case in the last 8 races, the pole-sitter has won it again at Catalunya for the ninth straight time. While the Qualifier on Saturday was full of drama in itself with Button starting his flying lap two seconds before the chequered flag came down and emerging ahead of Vettel for the pole, the race on Sunday was even better! Rubens Barrichello got the better of Button at start and just lost the race to the latter in the pits.

Though Button was lauded for his fourth win from five this year, the race really belonged to poor old Barrichello who continued with a 3-stopper as he watched his team change it to two stops for Button. In what seemed like a reminder of his Ferrari days when he remained in the shadow of the legendary Schumacher, the Brazilian has threatened to quit if he sniffed of any favors being shown to Button. Better luck next time, Rubens!

Slimy McLaren had things going their this May after they were let off with a suspended race ban after admitting to foul-play in Australia during the safety car period, for which they were under investigation. Sometimes, it gets really difficult to find sanity in FIA verdicts! But the race day really didn’t belong to them. While Kovalainen retired with a gearbox failure, the defending champion Hamilton was marginally out of points at ninth.

Ferrari had a mixed weekend after Kimi fell out with hydraulic failure; their only respite was Massa in fourth until fuel miscalculations led them to lose two places finishing sixth. But atleast, they seemed to have the pace. The beneficiary here though was Alonso who finished fifth in his home race. Force India had another bad weekend with Sutil retiring in a first corner incident and Fisichella ranked last among the fourteen classified drivers.

Four wins & a podium give a Button a lead with 41 points. Barrichello and Vettel follow with 27 & 23 as Webbers moves into fourth with 15.5. Big names Lewis & Alonso have 9 each and Ferrari’s aces Massa & Kimi just have 3 apiece. Brawn GP leads the team table with 68, nearly thirty ahead of second placed Red Bull. Toyota stands third with 26.5 and McLaren fourth with 13. Ferrari is down at Seventh and Force India last!

As ‘Brawn Supremacy’ seems to be the order even at the traditional European tracks, Newey designed Red Bulls are making their mark too. With Ferrari demonstrating resurgence this time, McLaren surely don’t want to be left behind either. The next race comes two weeks hence at the oldest and picturesque seaside venue, the principality of Monaco; replete with close barriers, no overtaking and crashes. So long until then!

F1 Race Review: Bahrain GP 2009

2009-04-28T11:43:00.000+05:30

Phantasmagorical, that’s the closest word that I could find to describe Button’s season! Three races from four coming from a team that didn’t know its future a few months ago! For all the money that Honda poured through its two wind tunnels last year, Ross Brawn is present at the right place and time to reap the benefits. Will this winning spree go on till they win both titles? Won’t the bigger teams catch up? The questions linger…

Starting at P5, Button moved to third at start. After the lightly fuelled Toyotas pitted early, the race was firmly in Button’s hands, except for a minor electrical issue that gave him a burn on his left leg. Having won his first race under the safety car and the second red flagged, this was a fine win under racing conditions, that too not from pole. Vettel too drove a long first stint and battled degrading tyres to get to bag a second for Red Bull.

The Toyotas started high but finished with Trulli on third and Glock at seventh behind Kimi. With an improving car and driving prowess to complement it, Lewis made an impressive start and finally came in fourth. Barrichello didn’t have his best race, had to stop thrice and had to be happy with fifth. While Massa floundered, the best that Kimi could do was a sixth, the 3 points saving the Scuderia from having its worst ever run.

Force India had a far better race this time with Fisichella and Sutil finishing P15 & P16. They can take solace in the fact that they finished higher than both big budget BMWs. The aero upgrades seemed to have somewhat worked for them and they battled well in the mid-field. Despite the searing late-April temperatures, nineteen cars finished; the one that didn’t was Nakajima whose Williams gave up on lap 49 with an oil pressure issue.

Three wins & a podium give a Button a lead with 31 points. Barrichello and Vettel follow with 19 & 18; both Toyota drivers are into double digits. Champs Lewis, Alonso & Kimi are languishing with just 9, 5 & 3. Big names Kubica & Massa are yet to score. For the teams, Brawn has the early lead reaching 50 from just four races with Red Bull at 27.5 Toyota a point further behind. Dear Ferrari is down at ninth & Force India is still at zero!

After the four eventful flyaway races that have toppled the Formula1 pecking order, the teams now move to the more traditional European races. With teams playing catch-up after the double-decker diffuser ruling last week, the Spanish race two weeks hence should reflect the true pace of most cars. While the old warhorses aim to regain lost glory, Brawn & Red Bull should now think of saving theirs. So long until Spain!

F1 Race Review: Chinese GP 2009

2009-04-20T18:01:00.000+05:30

Another rainy race with all the necessary surprises! For Force India fans, this was a race where Sutil could have scored 3 points, shed the null record and genuinely get ahead of a historically great Ferrari. Sutil sadly crashed out five laps to go, dé•jà vu Monaco 2008. The day’s hero though was winner Sebastian Vettel, the ‘Baby Schumi’. Webber joined to make it a Red Bull 1-2. And, Button kept his podium run going for third time in a row.

The FIA verdict removed doubt on the double-decker diffusers used by Brawn, Toyota & Williams that seemed to give them an edge. While the three could breathe easier, others got back to drawing boards with Ferrari saying that the decision will mean ‘fundamental’ changes. McLaren played early-bird and got a revised aero; but that was just enough for Lewis. A ‘zero’ Ferrari on the other hand dropped off KERS to boost performance!

Among other developments, the paddock will now miss Ron Dennis as the McLaren Boss. Well, given his slimy repute, some would actually be too pleased with his absence. All said and done, the man’s genius of elevating himself from being a humble mechanic to a multimillionaire with McLaren is undeniable! He is behind the team’s 7 constructors’ and 10 drivers’ titles and 162 wins including those by Prost, Senna, Hakkinen & Lewis.

Shanghai Saturday threw its own surprises with Brawns not being runaway hits as it was in the first two races. Adrian Newey designed fast but fragile Red Bulls finally seemed to show some pace with Vettel’s pole and Webber’s P3. McLaren made it to Q3 for the first time with Lewis bagging a P9 and for Ferrari, Massa lost it out in Q2 itself. Fernando Alonso made his mark with his P2 running light. Brawns on the other ran heavy.

The drenched race started behind the safety car for nearly five laps. At full speed, cars were seen running off tracks but overtaking maneuvers by Lewis on many and by Webber on Button were impressive. In the end, with questions on reliability, Red Bull has finally won a race, that too a 1-2 in their fifth F1 season. It’s another story that they were overshadowed by ‘junior’ Toro Rosso at Monza last year, courtesy the talented Vettel.

The Bulls were followed by the Brawns, Button and Barrichello and then came the McLarens of Heikki and Lewis. Timo Glock and debutante Buemi took the final points. The stars featured nowhere: Kimi finished tenth, BMWs twelfth and thirteenth and Felipe retiring with an electrical failure. The day could have almost belonged to Sutil, had he hung on for five more laps and bagged 3 points from a back of the grid small team.

As far as Championship standings go, Button leads with 21 followed by teammate Barrichello at 15. Vettel springs from nowhere into third with a 10 and Glock is fourth with a 10 too. For the teams, Brawn leads with 36 followed by Red bull at 19.5, 18 points courtesy China; Toyota is close behind at 18.5. Big name McLaren just has 8. Ferrari at 0 after three races is seems like a repeat of 1992! So long until the next race at Bahrain!

F1 Race Review: Malaysian GP 2009

2009-04-05T18:54:00.000+05:30

F1 Race Review: Malaysian GP 2009

If the last race was eventful on track, the events that followed exposed McLaren’s dirty underbelly yet another time. Imagine supplying false data to mislead the Stewards on Trulli’s overtaking under the safety car! Aptly, Lewis lost his 6 points and poor old Trulli’s third was restored. McLaren hasn’t learnt a thing after the Stepney-gate scandal that led to a USD100million fine and a lot of shame two years ago! Finally, justice is served!

A week later, at the hot and humid Sepang Circuit, Brawn flexed their muscles again to put Button on pole for the second consecutive time. Although rain played truant all long, strategist Brawn proved his mettle by keeping his driver in the right place at the right time leading to his second consecutive win in a Red flagged Race. Sadly, with success come ego problems; seems that there is trouble between button and his race engineer!

On the track though, drivers battled the weather, changing from inters to wets and then to inters and then wets. Those like Lewis, Massa and Alonso who made it up through the pack during the race, didn’t gain much when the rains got worse, the safety car came in and the red flag followed. Those like Glock and Heidfeld who stayed there bagged podium places. Force India drivers repeated their consistency at P17 / P18; the bottom!

What is a Red Flag and why were half points awarded? When the race is stopped, it has to be restarted with a 10 minute warning, and drivers had to finish nine more laps for the mandatory 75% of race to be complete for full points. If not, you just get half. Although Button won his second consecutive race of 2009, he just gets 5 points in a race that he could have easily won at the chequered flag with full 10 points if it were for a restart.

FOM really needs to rethink on having races at 1700 local time at tracks where there is no lighting. The two hour limit could have been extended as the race conditions better towards the end. But alas, how could they do it when the sun was going down? Bernie, if you are listening, put a stop to the excessive pleasing of your Euro fans. They can get up a coupe of hours earlier to catch the races! A restart could have been a lot better.

The points table just seems to be going bananas. After a very long time in F1, drivers and teams have decimals! Button leads with 15 followed by his teammate at 10. The Toyota drivers Trulli and Glock follow with 8.5 and 8. After the Australian shame, Lewis Hamilton gets a 1 for his seventh place. For the teams, Brawn Mercedes leads with 15 followed by Toyota’s 16.5; good leads considered that those at third just have 4 points!

11 drivers have now scored points with 9 yet to go. It’s not just the Force India drivers that are there, but both Kimi and Felipe are sitting with a naught. Vettel, Kubica and Kovalainen are among the other prominent zero scorers. Two races down, reigning constructors’ champs are at the bottom of the table! If these trends are to be believed, we are headed for a season full of surprises! Hold your breath till F1 gets to Bahrain.

F1 Race Review: Australian GP 2009

2009-03-30T16:54:00.000+05:30

Honda must be kicking themselves! Ross Brawn surely was the happiest man in the paddock when his investment turned out not just quick testing times, but bagged the front row on Saturday and finished 1-2 at the chequered flag on Sunday! For the drivers Jenson Button and Reubens Barrichello who almost saw their exit from F1 after Honda pulled out blaming costs, this dramatic twist must have seemed more like a daydream!

A brand new team ending with a 1-2; the last time this happened was in 1954 at Reims in France when the eventual Champion Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling finished a tenth of a second apart in their Mercedes. It’s just different in the sense that there was a third Mercedes that blew its engine. Four Alfa Romeos achieved a similar result in the first ever F1 race at Silverstone in 1950 where Champion Nino Farina led a 1 to 4 finish.

Many thought that Brawn GP was good only in testing! It isn’t unusual for smaller teams to run light and post good times so as to attract sponsors. Brawn’s might was visible on Saturday when it topped the sheets in all three Quarters. Massa who had underplayed their chances for Ferrari started at P6 with Kimi in P7. McLaren seemed lost on Saturday with Lewis not setting a time in Q2 and starting at a lowly P18 after a gearbox penalty.

The race on Sunday was Pole to Finish for Button, barring two safety car distractions. But, Barrichello initially dropped places after anti stall kicked in at start. Vettel edged ahead into second with Kubica and Massa in tow. Ferrari’s race was in the ruins; the first was with tyre degradation on the option, then mistimed pit stops and safety car periods. While Massa retired for bad suspension Kimi was qualified 16 after his differential failed.

Lewis Hamilton did a zero to hero from 18th to fourth using KERS intelligently. After the finish, third placed Trulli was penalized for overtaking under the safety car, thus passing the third to Lewis. For Button, this was the 200th win for a British Driver and this time it was Brit cars in a 1-2-3. The British fans couldn’t have had it any better! Part credit for this goes to Vettel & Kubica who knocked each other out while running in second/ third.

With Trulli down Toyota found solace in Glock’s fourth followed by Alonso, Rosberg, debutant Buemi and Bourdais finishing in the points. Four teams Force India, BMW, Red Bull and Ferrari go home empty handed. Notwithstanding the surprise result, the race weekend was also marred by doubts over the use of the diffuser that three teams Brawn, Toyota and Williams ran. Teams are now questioning the usefulness of KERS too.

One race done and 16 to go, the leader-board is red hot! At least till the next race on the following Sunday at Kuala Lumpur, Briton Jenson Button heads the table with 1 win and 10 points. Barrichello follows him with 8. The reigning Champion Lewis Hamilton is within striking distance at 6 points. Brawn has made the best possible beginning with 18 points followed by compatriot McLaren with a third of those points. So long till Sunday!

F1 Season Preview: 2009

2009-03-26T14:45:00.000+05:30

After a season that saw the crowning of the youngest ever World Champion, Formula 1 is back with in new season with a never before seen major rule changes. While the Sporting Regulations emphasize reliability and cost cuts, technical changes focus on reducing the aero effect on performance and making overtaking easier. As F1 goes around recruiting newer circuits each year, most traditional rounds are facing the axe.

Key changes include return of slicks after running on grooves for 10 years; emphasizing mechanical grip than aerodynamic grip. While slicks lead to better grip and lap times, this would be offset by reduced downforce. The fast corners would now be a tad slower. The cars now seem cleaner with winglets, barge boards, turning vanes and chimneys junked and look different with a wider front wing and a narrower and taller rear wing.

Towards making technology relevant to what could be used in road cars, F1 cars can now sport KERS, though optional. When used, this recovers the kinetic energy wasted during braking and is released by the driver through a button on his steering. But this comes with a baggage, the weight of KERS system and its impact on weight distribution of the car. On the engine front, these should now last for three races in place of two.

With the FIA coming up with a new rule that will see Drivers’ title go to the one with most race wins and the rest of the field lining up on points, many have raised questions that drivers may ignore reliability. It is yet to be seen whether this rule would stay or go. If this were to have been the rule last year, Lewis Hamilton would have had to wait for his maiden title yet! The request by teams for revision in points system was also junked.

McLaren, the bearers of the No.1 this year have admitted a performance deficit with both drivers complaining lack of drivability. Martin Whitmarsh the new Team Principal is now the man in the hot seat to retain Lewis’ title. Rival Ferrari has kept developments all hushed up as usual. While they seem to be confident about performance, reliability woes still haunt the Scuderia. Maranello has also seen Todt’s departure after a long innings.

BMW too is keeping a low profile a la Ferrari but seems more confident about both reliability and speed. Having already tasted a win last year, Dr Theissen would be pushing his drivers for the title. Also, this could be the only team with a working KERS at the first race itself and possibly a title favorite. Renault again, may be away from its old form. Still, the big constant in these four teams is that they have retained their drivers!

Surprise performances may come from Brawn GP, the new Mercedes powered avatar of Honda after a Management Buyout by Ross Brawn famous for Schumacher’s legendary wins. The Red Bull could unsettle the grid with its different design. Williams and their KERS may also rake in podiums. Force India enters its second season with renewed vigor after their newfound partnership with McLaren for Engines, Gearboxes and KERS.

Now, the calendar: Australian GP begins a little late for the locals at 1700; the rest of the world now needn’t wake up early to catch it. So is the case with Malaysia. The following Asian race at China moves up the calendar from its usual October spot. The teams then move to the logistically convenient Europe/ Middle-East for the next 10 races. Among the older tracks, the French race at rural Magny Cours is conspicuously absent.

With US GP being dropped last year Canada has sadly been dropped too. Next, races 14 to 16 are flyway ones starting with the floodlit Singapore round that was a mega hit last year. This is followed by the return of Suzuka after the last race in 2006 saw Schumi’s engine and his eighth title go up in smoke. With the newly built Yas Marina Circuit staging the finale, sport crazy Brazilians would now miss the season ender.

Amidst what could be an unpredictable and exciting season for motorsport fans, the long 4 week break before the European round and the 3 week break after the British race at Silverstone could possibly be boring. The full schedule for the races this season is enclosed and so is a pocket sized version that won’t let you miss your favorite races. As a Ferrari fan, predictably, I would say “Go Kimi! Go Massa! Forza Ferrari!” Cheers!

Movie Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (English) 92

2009-03-05T16:02:00.000+05:30

Genre: Drama/ Romance/ Fantasy

Not all stories flow the same way! This is one curious case where we see the life of the protagonist move backwards. It isn’t really an uncommon feeling for many of us that we don’t really want to age quicker. Also, it is sometimes funny to wonder what the world would feel like if we started growing younger! Believe me, after watching this Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Julia Ormond starrer, you’d feel better off living life the normal way.

Born an octogenarian geriatric but the size of a baby, little Benjamin is abandoned to the care of an old age home. Unbeknownst to why he looks that way, the growing geriatric thinks that he is one among them, but has the curiosity of a child. Curiously though, as time passes, he doesn’t die as people expect him to but starts getting fitter and younger. The Oscar winning make up guys ensure that Brad Pitt unfolds onscreen in a slow flow.

Romance too starts there when the blue eyed grand daughter of an old woman arrives to live there. The little girl, played by Dakota Fanning’s sister too seems to recognize that Benjamin is mentally her age. Soon, a teen’s mind and a fitter body takes him places as a member of a tugboat crew where he experiments wine and women, courtesy his Captain. By World War II, he has lived through war and has had his first love in Russia.

Returning home, he finds Daisy grown up into Cate Blanchett, a ballet dancer, already in love with another man. Years later and an accident wise, she finds the two to be of the same age; romance blossoms, they live together and have a child. Benjamin realizes that his age trend would make him a playmate to his daughter than a father; he gives up his material wealth, including the old Button wealth for the two and goes globe trotting.

Top class art direction, make up and visual effects make the nearly three hour movie a work of art coming live in a believable way but with a touch of fantasy. Spending five hours on make up each day, Brad Pitt fit into his role seamlessly. His acting and his looks during the younger stint deserve a ‘wow’. Cate Blanchett’s act is as impressive as ever. Others like Tilda Swinton and Oscar nominated Taraji Henson stand out too!

Well, if the movie is so well made, then why not more points? That’s simply because stories just go on through time on screen and lack the zing somewhere. This reminds me of ‘Bicentennial Man’ that had the accomplished actor Robin Williams playing a robot working its way towards becoming human that also has a similar flow. Putting this aside, I would still safely recommend this movie for its story creativity and visual appeal.

Rating: 7/10 – Stands out for Artwork, concept and Brad Pitt’s effort!

Movie Review: Milk (English) 91

2009-03-03T11:31:00.001+05:30

Genre: Drama/ Biography

For those who thought that the US was always a free country, movies like this show the struggle that minority groups have had to put up in order to get their voices heard. If abolition of slavery and acceptance of darker skin took so long to come by, surely, LGBT citizens who were termed ‘queers’, must have found the climb harder, beginning with Harvey Bernard Milk being the first openly gay man elected to a public office.

Being a Biopic, Milk seems more like an intense documentary. Opening in 1978 where Sean Penn who plays Harvey Milk is recording his message that is to be read out in the event of his assassination, the movie unfolds itself amidst the first person narrative. It traces back to 1970 when Milk began his journey from being an Insurance executive to a businessman, activist and a political leader to his election to the San Francisco Board.

Moving into the Castro District of San Francisco, Milk starts off with a shop ‘Castro Camera’ and then moves on to be a successful businessman and also emerges as a champion of gay rights. Milk is shown trying his luck running unsuccessfully for political office thrice, but his popularity was on the rise. His election in 1977 those 11 months in power leads him to introduce bills for gay rights in the city, and also makes enemies.

Towards the end, set in 1978, we are shown Milk and his Mayor being killed by Dan White, his fellow city supervisor owing to obvious conflict between the liberals and conservatives. The internet tells that Milk turned a martyr for gay rights. Well, for all his awards, Sean Penn surely had lots of guts to play gay and kiss men on screen! His keenness for Opera can remind you of Tom Hanks in the path breaking ‘Philadelphia’!

Milk comes across as a neatly made absorbing movie but something still seemed amiss; probably a familiar feature in most biographies or possibly just a disconnect in nativity, from an Indian perspective. Cinematography with a 70’s touch is very well done; the shot of a reflection over a whistle was the best. Sean Penn‘s prosthetic nose and change in appearance to suit the role. But the movie’s length makes you lose track at times.

One curious point! All through the movie, it’s really hard to even find a tinge of feminine glamour or even an occasional pretty face. Worse still for the ladies, the men on screen are shown Gay! So, if you’re looking for usual eye candies on screen, keep away from this one. Considering that fact that the story had to empathize for LGBT rights, the movie makers had no other choice! All that stands out though, is Sean Penn’s amazing acting!

Rating: 6/10 – A decent movie though. Watch it for the amazing Acting.

Payaliya/ Paayaliya (Dev.D) Lyrics

2009-03-03T10:11:00.002+05:30

From the Exceptionally well made movie Dev.D... Amazing music by Amit Trivedi... Searched for these lyrics all over the internet but it yielded no result... So, I listened to it on the comp and jotted it down... Readers, please point out the errors... (I shall add the meaning when I get help with it)

Lyrics now corrected & updated... Thanks "reminiscence" :)

Jaanoon nahin kaise
Jaanoon nahin Kaise
Piya Ghar Jaaoon

Jaanoon nahin kaise
Jaanoon nahin Kaise
Piya Ghar Jaaoon

Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa kahe ke piya ghar jaaoon
Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa....

Paayaliyaa chan chan chan chan shor kare
Mohe piya Ghar Jaoon.....
Paayaliyaa chan chan chan chan shor kare
Mohe piya Ghar Jaoon.....

Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa, kahe ke piya ghar jaaoon
Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa, kahe ke piya ghar jaaoon
Paayaliyaa... ho ho ho ho... Paayaliyaa...

Araj Araj kare Garaj Karajva ko
Kare har pal bechain
Daras daras do, kahe payaliyaan
Aas lagave din rain
soojh boojh bulaave goonj,
Goonj uthave piya ko pukare haye re
Hah, jiya pe chaaye
Jiya pe chaaye chaaye chaaye re

Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa, kahe ke piya ghar jaaoon
Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa, kahe ke piya ghar jaaoon

Asar asar eso basar basar kare
Needein bisar kar de
Janam janam ki preet lutati haai
Sayyan ki milan ko re
Bas, pass bulave Raas
Raas rachave piyako manav haye re
Hah, Mujhe sajaye
Mujhe sajaye, haye haye haye re...

Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa, kahe ke piya ghar jaaoon
Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa, kahe ke
piya ghar jaaoon, piya ghar jaaoon, piya ghar jaaoon

Paayaliyaa chan chan chan chan shor kare
Mohe piya Ghar Jaoon.....
Paayaliyaa chan jhan jhan chan shor kare
Mohe piya Ghar Jaoon.....

Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa, kahe ke
Paayaliyaa Paayaliyaa, kahe ke
Piya ghar jaaoon.. Piya ghar jaaoon

Anisutide (Mungaru Male) Lyrics Translation/ Meaning

2009-02-26T14:54:00.003+05:30

Another super-hit song from same film... Also shot in Coorg, the song portrays our hero's overflowing emotions for the girl he knows he cannot get but loves her intensely.. Sonu Nigam's voice gives the depth to it, and one cant guess that the singer is not a native speaker of Kannada.. Translation/ Explanation/ Meaning by Nithin Neelakanta & Vikas SS

Anisutide yaako indu
(Don’t know why, I’m feeling this way today)
Neenene nannavalendu
(That you are the one for me)
Maayadaa lokadinda
(From the land of Magic)
Nanagaage bandavalendu
(That you have come down just for me)
Aahaa yentha madhura yaatane
(Ah, what a sweet trauma)
Kollu hudugi omme nanna, haage summane
(Oh girl, just kill me once, just like that)
Anisutide yaako indu…
(Dont know why I’m feeling this way today)

1. Suriyuva soneyu sooside ninnade parimala
(The pouring rain is so full of your fragrance )
Innyara kanasulu neenu hodare talamala
(If you’d go into someone else’s dream, it’d unsettle me)
Poorna chandira rajaa haakida
(The full moon went on a vacation)
Ninnaya mugavanu kanda kshanaa
(The very moment he saw your face)
Naa khaidi neene seremane
(I’m the prisoner and you’re the prison)
Tabbi nanna appiko omme, haage summane
(Hold me hug me once, just like that)

Anisuthide yaako indu…
(Don’t know why I’m feeling this way today)

2. Tutigala hoovali aadada maathina sihiyide
(In your flower like lips, there is a sweetness of unspoken words)
Manasina putadali kevala ninnade sahiyide
(The pages of my soul bear only your signature)
Haneyali bareyada ninna hesara
(Thy name that’s not written in my fate)
Hrudayadi naane korediruve
(I’ve engraved it all over my heart)
Ninagunte idara kalpane
(Do you even have a clue about this?)
Nanna hesara kooge omme, haage summane
(Call out my name once, just like that)

Anisutide yaako indu
(Don’t know why, I’m feeling this way today)
Neenene nannavalendu
(That you are the one for me)
Maayadaa lokadinda
(From the land of Magic)
Nanagaage bandavalendu
(That you have come down just for me)
Aahaa yentha madhura yaatane
(Ah, what a sweet trauma)
Kollu hudugi omme nanna, haage summane
(Oh girl, just kill me once, just like that)
Anisutide yaako indu…
(Dont know why I’m feeling this way today)

Mungaru Maleye (Mungaru Male) Lyrics Translation/ Meaning

2009-02-24T16:02:00.004+05:30

One of the best songs of the recent years from the movie that made waves as being the biggest hit in Kannada film history... Lyrics penned by the director himself and shot in the picturesque Coorg in flowing rain, and with Sonu Nigam's voice giving it a magical touch, this surely is a thralling song... Translation/ Explanation/ Meaning by Nithin Neelakanta & Vikas SS

Mungaru Maleye..
(Oh the first Monsoon Rain..)
Yenu ninna Hanigala Leele
(What the magic have your drops done?)

1. Ninna Mugila Saale, Dhareya Korala Premada Maale
(The line you’ve made in the sky, is like the necklace of love to this earth)
Suriva Olumeya Jadimalege, Preeti Moodide
(With the flowing feeling of non-stop rain, Love has bloomed)
Yaava Chippinalli, Yaava Haniyu Muttaguvudo
(In which clamshell, you never know which drop will turn into a pearl)
Olavu Yelli Kudiyodiyuvudo, Tiliyadagide
(Where the bud of love can blossom, has gone beyond my comprehension)

Mungaru Maleye..
(Oh the first Monsoon Rain..)
Yenu ninna Hanigala Leele
(What the magic have your drops done?)

2. Bhuvi Kenne Tumba, Mugilu Surida Muttina Gurutu
(The cheeks of earth are filled with marks of pearl-like raindrops the sky showered)
Nanna Yedeya Tumba, Avalu Banda Hejjeya Gurutu
(My heart is full of, the footsteps of her arrival)
Hejje Gejjeyaa Savi Saddu, Premanadavoo
(The sweet sound of her anklets, the tune of love)
Yede Mugilinalli, Rangu challi Nintalu Avalu
(In the sky of my heart, she sprinkled color and just stood there)
Baredu Hesara Kamanabillu, Yenu Modeyoo
(Her name written like a rainbow, ah what a spell)

Mungaru Maleye..
(Oh the first Monsoon Rain..)
Yenu ninna Hanigala Leele
(What the magic have your drops done?)

3. Yava Hanigalinda, Yava Nelavu Hasiraguvudo
(Of which raindrops, which land may turn green)
Yaara Sparshadindaa, Yara Manavu Hasiyaguvudo..
(Of whose touch, whose soul be readied for seeds of love to be sown)
Yara Usirali Yara Hesaru Yaru Baredaro
(In whose breath, whose name is written by whom)
Yava Preeti Huvu, Yara Hrudayadallararluvudo
(Which flower of love, would blossom in whose heart)
Yaara Prema Poojege Mudipo, Yaru Balloro
(Whose love is worthy of worship, who can fathom?)

Mungaru Maleye..
(Oh the first Monsoon Rain..)
Yenu ninna Hanigala Leele
(What the magic have your drops done?)

4. Olava Chandamama Naguta Banda Manadangalake
(The lovely moon came smiling to my mind’s front porch)
Preeti Belakinalli, Hrudaya Horatide Meravanige
(Lit by the light of love, my heart started off on a procession)
Avala Premadaoorina Kadege, Preeti Payanavoo
(Towards her city of love, the journey of love)
Pranayadoorinalli, Kaledu Hogo Sukhava Indu
(In this fever city of love, for now, go away happiness)
Dhanyanaade Padedukondu Hosa Janmavoo
(I’m grateful to have gotten this new birth)

Mungaru Maleye..
(Oh the first Monsoon Rain..)
Yenu ninna Hanigala Leele
(What the magic have your drops done?)