LOVED BY ALL

WHERE DOES IT HEAD: - To a certain extent like Farah Khan (who made Om Shanti Om), Zoya Akhtar too draws upon her insight into the Hindi film industry and gives us a gem called Luck By Chance. This film is an insider's perspectives into Bollywood right from frame one. A ten on ten for the opening credits sequence, which takes you behind the arc lights and the glamour of showbiz. Followed by the credits come Sona (Konkana Sen) who arrives in Bombay with her dreams of becoming a film star. Wide eyed but ambitious, she does whatever it takes, to make it. She lives on her own in a rented residence - a luxury for most in this full of life city and spends her time with a diverse crew of loyal friends whose lives are also intertwined with Bollywood, each one in search of a bigger dream. Vikram (Farhan Akhtar) the protagonist has just moved to the City leaving the comforts of his parents Delhi Home. He is a mover, he is used to getting what he wants and is smart enough to know when to demand it and when to manipulate it. He is young and handsome, and full of promise. Sona begins to enjoy Vikram's attention and affections; they develop a romantic relationship. Rolly (Rishi Kapoor) is a successful though superstitious producer who only works with the biggest stars. He is making a prospective blockbuster launching the nubile Nikki, the 18-year-old daughter of 70's superstar, Neena (Dimple Kapadia). The hero of the film, Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan), is Rolly's favorite superstar. He was launched by Rolly and went on to become a huge draw at the box office. The wheels of fate indeed continue to spin favorably for Vikram, as elsewhere in the industry, havoc spreads on the sets of producer Rolly's new film. Vikram is called in for an audition and uses this opportunity to the fullest. The film is about a slice of Bollywood life, in which luck plays a huge role. Luck By Chance is a current tale set in a world desperate to escape its own reality. THE RIGHT: - The highpoint of the film are its performances. There are some lovely little moments like the star daughter in a super short skin-tight outfit struggling to touch her producer's feet without splitting a closure. But what makes Luck By Chance compelling, is the layers beneath the laughs. Both Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen are complete naturals before the camera, just as Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia prove that vintage never does lose its flavour, does it! The taunts are gentle, the tone is warmhearted, yet firm. It shows that showbiz is a clinically cruel place. This is a world where fortunes change every Friday and as a dance director tells Sona, once you are successful, you belong to no one. This is a world in which privately, even a successful producer like Rolly weeps because a superstar whom he created, won't return his calls.But most importantly, the characters are completely real: lively and flawed, even as the end is bracing

THE WRONG There are parts of Luck by Chance that may not translate to outsiders and in long stretches, the film gets slow and clunky. But, you've got to cruise along patiently, since success and self-identity are things that cannot be attained in a split second. Not in reel or real life.

WHERE TO HEAD: - Watch Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen grow from nobody to somebody in an industry which is harsh, brutal, nasty and non-compromising, and you are sure to get your paisa vasool

BACK TO SQUARE ONE

“The rein of fear”. No, it is not a new Hollywood caper, it is what 2008 will be remembered as, if at all. While our country was attacked in a blatant and brutal manner, the story of fear within the film industry started much earlier, and that too cloaked in the corporate garb. It was like a alien attack from Mars on the unsuspecting mortals of bollywood. The corporate tentacles moved fast and ruthlessly without caring if any one was crushed or killed. The giants moved around with huge bags stuffed with what seemed to be like endless amounts of money, sharp teeth and a hunger which defied logic.
The hearts, souls and minds of a few stars were the first victim, their hefty demands the price for their loyalty. Money was literally thrown all over without knowing what they were doing, where their money was going and what their money would yield.
“There is a answer for need, but none for greed.”
Over time it was as if a industry which had so far run on passion had suddenly gone blind, lost its senses. Then fate stuck its first blow. Film after film met its doom at the box office. The industry was sent staggering.
As if that was not enough, the global recession, the biggest financial depression since 1929 raised its hood. It was as if a villain had adopted Shar Rukh Khans dialogue and was saying”Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost” The industry had no chance to wake up to the new challenges, effect some kind of damage control. Suddenly the giants were seen reeling and looking for cover. Soon the flow of money stopped and desperate heads of the corporate world were looking for ways out but it was too late. The end of 2008 almost saw the beginning of the end.
It was during this dark hour that two good films brought some light back into the industry. ‘Rab ne bana di jodi’ and ‘Gajini’ released towards the end of 2008 which were very big hits and gave the industry a new lease of life and some reason to rejoice
The worst though is still not behind us. The financial crunch is reaching critical proportions. A large number of films have stopped mid way. New films are not being launched, shooting schedules getting postponed.
It is said that there are some lessons for which one has to pay a price. The price of greed has been paid, hopefully the industry will remember the lesson for the future.

why do we greet with a namaste?

Indians greet each other with “Namaste”. This welcoming is for all – people younger than us, of our own age, those older than us, friends and even strangers. There are five forms of formal traditional greeting enjoined in the shaastras of which “Namaskaaram” is one. It refers to paying homage as we do today when we greet each other with a namaste.

Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural principle or an act of worship. However there is much more to it than meets the eye. In Sanskrit “Namaha” literally is interpreted as ‘na ma” (not mine). It has a spiritual connotation of reducing one’s ego in the presence of another. The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet another, we do so with namaste, which means “may our minds meet”, it’s a form of extending love and humility. The spiritual meaning is even deeper. The life force, the holiness, the self or the lord in me is the same in all. Recognizing this oneness we salute the holiness in the person we meet. The gesture is often accompanied by words like “Ram Ram”; “Jai Shri Krishnna” ; “Hari Om” etc….indicating the recognition of this holiness.

When we know this significance; our greeting does not remain just a superficial gesture or word but paves the way for a deeper spiritual union with another in an atmosphere of love and respect.