If My Father was a Politician...

If my father was a politician...

 

Ah! What bright days it could be. Wow! It would be an each day in the valley of corruption. The paradise lay in some green shades of corruption. Before independence our country was at the mercy of British, its rulers and then post independence it's been at the mercy of the rulers, the politicians. However, yes we must agree (and we have agreed to that), after independence a lot has been done for the progress of the country. 

 

We have made progress in several areas be it science and technology, economic field, power generation, atomic energy, political field, but there is one thing that has not been sorted or rather we can say it has made too much progress and that is CORRUPTION!

 

If my papa was a Politician I would legalise CORRUPTION!

 

Corruption is a part of everything from the high level to the low level from the government to the pandus (policemen), be it private schools or builders, name it and corruption exists however the levels of it range. We all know corruption exists in every part every corner, in everything that is to do with us, Indian Humans.

 

An interesting point of view it is and it will continue to be till we don’t accept it in our deeds. We use it in our words we follow it in our deeds then why not even, in our words we accept ourselves as corrupt where the problem is? In the present situation where is the problem? Have we ever looked into what are we missing when in our deeds we do it but in our words we don’t accept it, why? Why, taking the stress, why contradicting ourselves?

 

If Papa was a politician I would legalise it. Where you could bribe officially to the concerned person and they could have their rate card of bribing, but it will benefit the government also at large by giving a very small amount like one percent to the government which they can use for education and offer free education which will result in higher literacy rate all across India and not only Kerala. The benefit of some can be gain for many. Why don’t we accept that this is the most apt thing which could have been accepted, why don’t we trade in deeds the corrupt?

 

We are on an age where copying from the west and irrespective of having so many Government document we have AADHAR card the one card then why can’t we encourage ourselves to go a step ahead with making ‘corruption debit cards’ which you can swipe when a pandu has stopped you from breaking a rule and you could swipe it a percent would transfer to the government and the rest to him. It would be just like a stock exchange perfect demand and supply as per the situation. 

 

Your experience is your experience no one can wear it like skin like how you have been carrying it. A state of let-go in to be, in-tune with corruption; with the totality that there is no separation at all between honest and corrupt, there is no question of doing it is being, corrupt. We all waste time in remembering the rules why not just do and easily do without being ashamed. Being available to what it is. Cultivate corruption when will-we start accepting the ‘corruption rate card...’ What better offer this year you’ll get? Just sit down now. Such harmless transformation becomes “the one” that starts the procession.

—
Shwets :)

Tribute to My Mother :)

I am writing a TRIBUTE TO MOM in association with parentous.com

From the beans in a beanbag to beans on toast, from the black and white to the color in a 7 course roast. I dived into a pool of unrequited love, a womb that played my host. She nurtured a little thing into a 27 year old something, today. That is ‘Me’ and ‘She’ is my ‘Mother.’ The one cliché that still holds her sanctity no breed can match up-to. “Maa ke pairon mein jannat.” they say, this is true. The ONE word that is, yet to be defined in one single word - Mother. God plays the jester here in this Real Life Drama called Life. In my case he (God) decided to shower her with obstacles very few living souls can endure. Not a sob story, but matter of fact - at 21, this young budding girl loses her father, her house, people connive, people hate, people condemn, families drift apart.. In that storm of distress and suffocation, I saw this woman, barely gotten her own bearings straight. No idea how she did and continues her duty, standing there in the middle of this bustle. Stretching her arms out to me, knowing full well, she was set to play my mother, my father, and most of all, my best friend for years to come. She bored a beating heart of size and shape of hers; yet not her and yet not, completely different from her.

The journey we were about to set onto. And so we did. There's no science to it. It is as simple as a grain of salt that starts its journey locked inside a sealed Rupee 20 cocooned plastic wrap, and then sprinkled out one fine day into the dreads of real challenges, to deal with taste. I like to think, she embodies one such grain that created me, a taste.. I am her shadow. As I strolled she was there with me across the difficulties of childhood the adolescence of childhood and the confusion of teenage. She set up an example to me to be. In words, the number of words a dictionary developed with the maximum words will fall short to millions of things I saw, I observed to appreciate her. If I fly high and I fly high, sky touching high, on the bed of roses if I hear any music. She is the one, my Mother is the one.

My mother is complete in every way for me and the reason is because it is she, who has completed me, sees me accomplished. While walking on the terrain of my life, full with ups and downs, I always feel her presence like the soothing breeze, always encouraging me. Not letting me down or under anything, to give me anxiety of any kind. Her talk, her words, her voice’s sound fills me with the nourishment that is like love and peace.

Passing through the salad, through the appetizers, the main course, the desserts, the ice cream, let’s just say, without that one grain of salt at the brink of taste, your entire evening your life could end. Now that’s the real journey... Its cliché to compare her she is like a seven course meal complete in every way possible she is healthy like the salad. It is she who has taught me what it is to be healthy and whole and complete. When I was a kid she never forced me to do something she believed in a very simple policy that she would explain me what she felt was right and I had a chance to discuss with her clearly what I felt if I could convince her with my thought. I would win in this way. She made me who I am. I do I did I will, conquer and she will yet witness all of; as she has been with a smiles an endless smile on her face without imposing a dogma on me.

She is like an appetizer as she inculcated curiosity in me like an appetizer does for food to learn, to live life with a sense of wonder, with the sense of cherishment, etc. She taught me that question yourself when in doubt than questioning outside. She fills me with abundance like the main course is filled with abundance. So many dishes around to fill the appetite; she has filled me with abundance of emotions to fill the appetite of my soul and perform my duties.  

She is filled with warmth of love and care, like a hot bowl of soup in a way. There are times I do not understand her when I do not get things right. Those are the times when she is worried for me. Her way of showing concern, she scolds me! At times she apologizes later, I do get hurt but only till I do not understand her point of view. Just alike if you put hot soup in your mouth its warmth can burn you but then you understand your mistake. She is like a rich wine; she ripens in her wisdom as she grows older, this I have witnessed and I continue witnessing. She herself mentions that as I keep growing she keeps growing too as a mother it is a dual growth which cannot be separated. Just like the grapes from the wine.

Being a daughter the relationship is little complex because I look at her what a woman is. As I am growing up I have reached this stage, to an extent grown up as very another woman who lives her life, differently. I choose between imitating my mother having significant influences in my life. A slice of life on a plate, today I look back, and I see a canvas full of colors and yet the parts that shine are the silver grey, strands of hair in my mother’s hair. The experience and the baggage of duties that we all ignore on a 4 o’clock afternoon napping in our beds while she is up and about preparing the next meal. It is my turn to give back.. But then, we are friends. We're a team. Love is just the beginning. I am her taste, I am what she perceived 25 years ago, in a kitchen - a taste to make her Chef proud.

As an adolescent I might have look down on her my mother and think that other woman are much better. Of course I was not a fully grown woman which I am still not hence took the leverage to, do not understand the challenges and choices that my mother would have faced. It is only when I am becoming her slowly second to second day by day year after year I am one who fully appreciates my mother.

She is colorful like a fruit platter, bringing so many diverse joys together on my plate of life. No one will ever understand what she goes through and what strength she has except for me as I am the only one who knows what her heart sounded like from inside. And in every step I take my eyes wonder, I bow I bend on my knees.

Thank is a word which has a meaning to the core and on the outer surface as well. It is a word that comes to me first for my mother from the deepest core of my senses. Thanks to my mother is a truth that need-not-need a witness to prove. Not boasting about myself but about the motherhood that gave life to a satisfaction a smile as that last piece of salt, it is a great pleasure for me, to start living in this world through my mother’s carving. My mother the dearest will always be by my side wherever I go, wherever I be, this is a permanence to me to her to BE.

Review if Stop the Wedding - Stephanie Bond

I had never read anything by author Stephanie bond before but I will definately read in the future. It was a cute uncomplicated read. Loved the plot and I loved how the author made her character so normal. Annabelle And Clay didnt want their parents to marry each other they go about breaking them up only to find there was a spark between them which they never expected. Loved the line where annabelle mom tell her that the best part of Love is it sustains maintains and above all it remains. It's a cute love story worth a read:-)

GIVING AND LIVING

A story that i came across and want to share with you all " A STORY OF GIVING AND LIVING" A story of a rich Goan landlord who once asked his parish priest - " why does everybody call me stingy when everyone knows that when i die i will leave everything that i have to this church?" the priest said; there was once a pig and a cow in this village. this puzzled the pig. the pig said to the cow, people speak warmly of your good nature and your helpful attitude. they think you are genrous because each day you give them milk, butter and cheese. but what about me? i give them everything i have, i give them the famous goa sausages, bacon and ham. i also provide ingredientsfor sorpotel yet no one likes me. why is that? the priest continued ' do you know what the cow answered? the cow said "perhaps its because i give while i am still living"

MUSIC FOR SOUL

Music has a healing touch, music is used for relaxation, stress
reduction, pain relief and tapping into one soul. There are variety of
instruments or sounds that can be used for making music a window to
our soul.

So what makes this music “healing music?” or “music for our soul”

Music has a way of stirring our innermost feelings and all our five
senses, it helps us in tapping our inner most potential. Music is a
universal language that has the ability to speak to us deeply and
uniquely.

If you've paid much attention to how you respond to a variety of
music, you may have noticed that some music seems to energize you,
some music can move us to deep pain, or spark a special memory of a
time, place, or a relationship. Some music seems to make you relax,
feel less stressed, and feel happier. And some music fills us with
deep spiritual fulfillment.

Let’s take the movie “Mughal – E – Azam” which has a gorgeous love
theme, the melodious music penetrates to us throughout the movie, and
throughout ourselves with its bitter sweetness, generating the beauty
of love and the tragedy of two lovers and the loss of their love.
Another legendary movie “Gumnaam” wouldnt be the same without its
daunting, low, repetitive sounds that makes you sit on the edge of
your seat waiting for someone to attack from somewhere.

One aspect of “healing” music is to stir our feelings, to help us deal
with our negative emotions like, grief, sadness, anger or other
feelings. By allowing ourselves to feel those feelings, the intensity
will eventually lessen and get released, resulting in us being healed.
When we avoid our feelings within us, whether we are aware of them or
not this is one of the wonderful ways music can be incredibly healing.

When you walk down to a mall, you will see a lot of instrumental Cd’s
how can these instrumental Cd’s be used. They are the best way of
relaxation whether we are aware of it or not, music that's relaxing
tends to slow down our heart rates to about one beat per second. If
we're feeling stressful, angry, anxious, or irritable, our heart rates
tend to increase. Music can actually help our heart rates slow down to
a more relaxing pace, changing our physiology. This phenomenon is what
can help me fall asleep more easily. It's what is found with mainly
meditation tapes or other instrumental music.

There is an unlimited ocean of combination of different music how does
one decide which music is made for their soul. As soul is unique of
each of us it is only we who can truly know which music stirs up our
energy and helps us to heal and balance ourselves. Whenever you listen
to a particular beat or a song and you feel each and every cell of
your body filling with ecstasy that beat or music is your music for
soul.

Papa i want you

If i could have a lifetime wish

A dream that would come true

I'd pray to god with all my heart for yesterday and you.

a thousand words cant bring you back

I know because i have tried

and neither will a million tears.

I know because i have cried

You left behind my broken heart and happy memories too

I never wanted memories

I only wanted you..........

DAMAGE CONTROL

Although the ring of money on the box office is fainter than ever before, the seasoned players of Bollywood are finding recession an event they believe should come once in a while!! Surprised? Don’t be! The current slowdown is being seen as a reality check in Bollywood which was long overdue. The world’s second largest film industry is now looking at a more realistic environment, thus making film production cheaper.The current economic outlook has brought some sanity in production budgets, say film industry veterans. Movie making is set to be cheaper by around 30 per cent this year as most of the actors are expected to take a cut in fees or striking innovative pricing deals with their producers which are more variabalised, linked to the outcome of the movie. With the future looking gloomy, producers are now looking at paying a reduced upfront fee or fixed fee to actors. Instead, they will be a given a share in the profits made by the film, as this will lead to 30-40 per cent cut in the fixed fees of all bankable actors,” There are unconfirmed reports that Bollywood actors such as Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan have recently entered into such revenue-sharing arrangements with their producers.A majority of the films made in this year will hit the box office in 2010.In the past few years, the euphoria had led to a overall escalation of costs beyond logical realms. Production, acquisition of talent, and salary costs had shot through the roof defying the logic of return on investment. Stars that were being paid above Rs 20 crore for a movie are now willing to take a 50 per cent cut in their fixed fee.Around 30-40 per cent of planned Bollywood films will not take off this year due to tightening of budgets by corporations, banks and other players, Even if these movies are made, they may not be released as the marketing costs of a movie are on the same lines of producing a movie. Considering that we have double the output of films as compared to Hollywood in a recession time one will have to just wait and watch how low financially the industry will be hit.

BEAUTY - FULL HORROR

It all started with Urmila Matondkar playing a housewife possessed by a spirit in Ram Gopal Varma's Bhoot. Since then, playing Ghosts has become an interesting act for our Bollywood actresses. The new age Bollywood horror cinema is moving away from blood & gore and towards good performance & better cinematography to create world class spooky effects. But when we talk of horror films, one name which was synonym with this genre is the Ramsays. Much before Ram Gopal Varmas of the industry, entire generations have grown up getting a gory kick from the Ramsay thrillers. They had an undisputed monopoly in Bollywood when it came to scary flicks. The Ramsay brothers domination was nearly total. When most of the film makers were reluctant of making a horror movie, the Ramsays kept churning out the creepy ‘omelette variety of ghost capers' from their production house year after year. From 'Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neechey', 'Darwaza', 'Hotel', 'Purana Mandir' to the only 3D horror film till date – 'Saamri', their quest for chills was incessant. From fear-provoking loonies trying to scare us, to some of the hottest actresses, doing their bit to build a hair-raising experience, bollywood has come a long way. Be it Urmila Matondkar in Bhoot, Vidya Balan in Bhool Bhulaiya, Adah Sharma in 1920 or Kangana Ranaut in Raaz - The Mystery Continues, the face of ghosts in Bollywood movies has certainly evolved. Maybe the hunks will feel left behind soon and start vying for the bhooth slot!!

E(xams) +E(lections) + I(PL) - BOLLYWOOD = March x April

The exam fever is on!!! Students from class 10 and 12 are bending their backs to prepare for the upcoming board exams. Bollywood too seems to be in exam mode,not wanting to take a chance in these testing times, with very few films releasing and no big-budget film is on the board."March has historically been a lean month. Seldom have big budget movies been released this month. This year, there aren't too many films expected next month too. Distributors are said to be wary of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the forthcoming elections lined up so close to the exam season. The lean season just got leaner!!The current tussle over revenue sharing is not helping the cause. On one side distributors are crying hoarse and on the other the exhibitors (multiplexes) are sticking to their perspective. “The multiplexes are not willing to accept rationalised terms for all films in India like in the rest of the world. In the light of this, the producers-distributors have decided not to market or release any new film set to release April onwards and with the elections and IPL coming, it is going to be tough for theatres”.Amidst all this, last Friday saw the release of three movies -- 13B, Karma Aur Holi and Dhoondte Reh Jaoge. The initial reports are not very encouraging with the response at the ticket counters being lackluster. This trend is expected to continue with the other releases this month. Most of them will have footfalls only in single-screens. The only movie with some hope is 'Aa Dekhen Zara' that has Bipasha Basu in the lead.The industry graph has already taken a dive this year with big budget projects like Chandni Chowk to China, Billu and Delhi-6 tanking on the box-office. Raaz - The Mystery Continues and Dev D have proved once again the unpredictable nature of audience response with their above expectation collections.The films slated for release in March include Gulal, Jai Veeru, Aloo Chat, Firaaq, Ek -- The Power of One, Khalbali -- Fun Unlimited, Barah Anna and Sikandar. But none of these movies have created a hype nor they have got an excellent music response.It looks like the film industry and distributors will have to wait until May for any good omens. Vishal Bhardwaj's Kaminay is tentatively set to release around that period and could be the turning point of the industry’s fortunes. Lets hope that Priyanka Chopra in a de-glam avatar and Shahid Kapir in a double role can do what Chinese, kabotars and barbers could not do!

PIRATES OF ENTERTAINMENT

We have seen Rajnikant at his invincible best in more movies than we can remember. he dodges knives, bites bullets in his mouth, walks out of blasts unscathed, is pushed from mountain tops and he just dusts his trousers and is back again. Try as they might, they just can't get the better of him.
It seems the Indian piracy industry has taken a few lessons from Rajnikant. Bollywood has met its' nemesis in the Rs 50 pirated DVDs, available freely at bakdas (wooden stalls) at railway stations, market corners and pavement stalls across the country. As if that was not bad enough, the pirates have gone beyond borders with their wares getting stacked up in the Indian – run grocery stores overseas.
According to a trade source, "Every Thursday one can get an un released Bollywood film title along with the last four big releases on a pirated video DVD at Mumbai's Crawford Market, Chennai Burma Bazaar, New Delhi's Palika Bazar and many other grey markets across the country.''
No wonder brands like Moser Baer (who sell official DVDs and VCDs of Bollywood titles for as little as Rs 99 and Rs 49) still suffer losses. It is estimated that 25-30% of theatre and home video Bollywood revenues are lost to piracy each year, thanks to the video pirate whose network is so well-oiled.
Sporadic raids, are conducted in Mumbai on and off - where pirated videos worth Rs 1 crore (approx) are recovered, are relatively few and far in between. The industry would ideally like volcano eruption of such raids to make the piracy model unworkable.
While pegging a figure on the actual amount of money lost to piracy maybe be impossible, according to veteran industry sources, Bollywood loses almost Rs 1500 crore to piracy every year.''
And if you thought the target segment for the piracy was limited to those who find the theatre tickets un affordable, think again. Nor is it that the pirated products have a urban penetration alone.
Bollywood can bring down the percentage of flops by at least 50% if piracy, be it in the form of VDC's, DVD's or internet downloads, is controlled.''
Maybe we can call our own Rajni to fight this battle for us!!

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT FUTURE HOLDS FOR YOU

There were two best of friends. One of them was hare and the other was crow. Though they were best of friends they were very different from each other. But they always complimented each other. Everyone would admire their friendship. Hare was named Hari and crow was named Kalua. Every day Kalua and Hari would spend their most of the free time together. They would have race among themselves or they would just sit and chit chat. Both were fun loving people. Days were going by one day Hari noticed Kalua was very lost and he realized past few days Kalua would be very lost would be in his own world. Hari felt there was something that was bothering Kalua. Hari when got up in the morning thought that he would go ahead and talk to Kalua today and ask him what the matter was. He asked Kalua to meet him in the evening and both went near the lake. It was around evening. Hari first started with his talks about how his day had past and how he had played pranks on everyone. Then after a while he asked Kalua what the matter was and what is happening with him. Kalua hesitated in the beginning but then let his heart out. Kalua could only tell his feelings to Hari. Kalua told him that he had fallen in love with a tortoise and her name was torty. He told him that he had fallen in love with her walk so slowly so cutely she walks. She always has her head down, the way she blushes and smiles when someone talks, even after having something so heavy on her she never cribs. He told Hari that he had fallen in love with everything about her. Hari was happy for Kalua but was confused that was the problem then so he there and there asked what was the problem then and why is he so worried. Kalua then replied the problem is that I am dark people make fun of my color, people make fun of my voice how can I even think of talking to her so I have decided I will let my feelings be with myself and I will never approach her even to be my friend because what if she rejects. Hari asked Kalua so what if she rejects then at least you tried. Kalua tells Hari that I can live with just admiring her but cannot live with her rejection. Hari at that point just smiles and says you never now what future holds for you my dear friend. They both leave the next day Kalua is sitting down near the tree and looking at torty when she just walks to him and says hi Kalua I have been looking at you since many days and I would love to be your friend would you be mine? Kalua is shocked and this is an opportunity he wouldn’t want to miss he tells torty yes and they both go for a date. Hari is standing beside Kalua when all this happens and is just smiling and thinking to himself like I said you never know what future holds for you.

WHAT'S THE BIG HUE AND CRY ABOUT?

A leading newspaper recently carried a story that left me amazed. It was a postmortem of how a white director brought the vision of an indian author on global celluloid.Sanjay Gupta (maker of films like Shootout and Kaante), who read Vikas Swarup's book Q&A as soon as it was written in 2005, liked it and decided to make a film based on it. Unfortunately the rights by then had already been sold to the makers of Slumdog.I agreed with Gupta when he stated that this was one of the "biggest losses" of his Bollywood career . But then he went overboard with his victemisque avtaar... "Making the film is one thing and marketing it is another. In Bollywood, we don't have a 20th Century Fox supporting our films, neither do we have the kind of finances they have". I beg to differ on this and I base this on the evolving maturity that Bollywood has witnessed in recent times. We see Indian production houses forging tie ups with global media and entertainment powers corps. Roadside Romeo was backed by Disney, Chandni Chowk to China was made and financed by Warner Bros. (the fact that it was not appreciated is besides the point. Even with 450 galis it made 45 crores in first week).It takes more than the backing of international production houses to make a global success story. Lagaan , TZP. Have proved this maximum. The fact that Boyle's production house Film 4 had "optioned the book" one year before it was even published was the clincher. It shows a finer ear to the ground for opportunities than just financial muscle. Or it could be the 'at the right place at the right time' factor that swung Slumdog into the Boyle kitty.Either ways, its not the end of the world, I hope bollywood becomes more alert in spotting good works of literature rather than crying on spilt milk.

KALUWA AND DALE

Once upon a time there was a village called Rampur. The village was facing a famine; it was dry as there was scarcity of water since months. There was no water to grow crops; there was no water for people to live. Thus, everyone left the village and shifted to nearby villages. Otherwise Rampur was once known as the most beautiful village. A village of dreams, it had strong brown hills, beautiful river flowing across it and greenery all over. It was a place like heaven but due to the famine it had become like hell.

But be it heaven or hell there are always couples everywhere. Even here there was a couple, a male crow Kaluwa and a female crow named dale. Kaluwa had got her to Rampur as when he had come here months back he was astonished looking at the place and had decided that he would get his first date to Rampur and so he brought her here. But then when he reached here he was shocked to see the place it didn’t look the same it was totally deserted and was wondering what to do. He couldn’t even tell Dale lets go to another place. He was sad for a while but then took a positive approach to it. He thought that this was a good place for their date as there was no one to disturb them and they could be together.

Things were going well it was a sunny day and it was extremely hot. Kaluwa and Dale were enjoying the date when Dale said that she was extremely thirsty and needed water to drink. She said it was the matter of life and death. Kaluwa didn’t know what to do as there was no water around in Rampur and he couldn’t even say no to Dale as it was their first date and she was asking only for water.
Kaluwa searched the whole of Rampur but he couldn’t find water anywhere. Just then when he was getting upset and coming back to Dale he saw a small jar which was half filled with water. He tried tasting the water to see if it is pure and fit to give dale to drink but he couldn’t. He was all upset and thinking what to do to get the water up to the brim for Dale to drink. Then he got an idea of throwing something in the water so that the water level rises.

He saw pebbles all around but he wanted to put something in the jar that was as pure as his love. When he was searching around the place he saw a pearl necklace and he thought why not break the necklace and put the pearls in the jar and what can be more pure than pearls. He put all of them in the jar and then the water came up to the brim that they could drink it.
Then Kaluwa and Dale drank the water and Dale fell all the more in love with him.

BEAUTY KICKS THE BEAST

Beauty Kicks the Beast Flexing muscles, swinging a sword or jumping from one building to another is no longer the strong suit for heroes. They are facing a tough challenge from the Bollywood actresses who are increasingly embracing action-oriented roles. And what an aesthetic sight it is to watch the beauties take on the beasts Heroines are no longer satisfied with just dancing around trees or singing in the rain. Be it Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, Bipasha Basu, or Katrina Kaif , all are in a bid to compete with action heroes on their turf. "The trend of more heroines taking up action roles itself shows that with the progression of the Hindi film industry, women are wanting to go beyond being a beautiful furniture in the frame" Seema Biswas wielded revolvers in "Bandit Queen", a film-based on dacoit Phoolan Devi, Sushmita Sen gave an action packed performance in "Samay" and Esha Deol's and Aishwarya's racy acts proved a crowd puller for "Dhoom" and "Dhoom 2" respectively. Similarly Priyanka had some action scenes in "Krrish" kicked some real butt in "Drona" and when on to display some macho martial arts in the Don remake; Soha Ali Khan had some action packed scenes in "Khoya Khoya Chand", and kareena added the swowd to the oomph in the Shah Rukh- Kareena starrer Asoka. The list goes on, the theme remains the same. Life always comes in full circle. And so do trends. If you think Bollywood babes' daring deeds are only a recent development, think again! Way back in the 30s when Hindi cinema was just still in its nascent stages, the Australian born actress Nadia graduated from a circus girl to being Bollywood's first actress who could fight the baddies all by herself and convincingly so. She was best known for portraying the masked, cloaked adventuress Hunterwali in 1935. Her movie titles itself gives a clear indication of what her films were like - Hurricane Hansa, Pahadi Kanya, Lady Robinhood, Toofani Tirandaz, Stunt Queen and Tigress to name a few. Looks like the Hunterwali days are back. Our current crop of actresses could give the Fearless Nadia some lessons in bringing feminine grace to cinematic action. These women need no hunky heroes to protect them, they can do it themselves, in style!

MORAL OF THE STORY

WHERE IT HEADS: - Has Adam Sandler been defanged? "Bedtime Stories" is his first family-friendly comedy, not to mention his first for the Disney banner. But if Sandler can startle us in a dark, obsessive role like "Punch-Drunk Love," he can surprise us here, too. In a modern-day fairy tale about hopes, aspirations and family. The story line is Disney to the core: Skeeter is an underappreciated figure that - like Cinderella - has been misjudged by close relations, then gets a big chance to ascend the social and economic ladder. The stage is then set for a series of wild, mildly amusing and utterly implausible events - including, of course, love. Sandler is playing his usual underachiever, though a tad less angry and a bit more wistful than his raunchier characters. His dad once ran a motel in Hollywood. Alas, he was forced to sell to a germ phobic hotelier. His son now works as a handyman at the high-rise luxury hotel that occupies the spot.When his sister loses her job as a school principal, she pages her brother to share baby-sitting chores with a friend while she goes on a job interview out of state. Having been strangely estranged from his niece and nephew, his only child-minding skill resides in an ability to spin bedtime stories.These are particularly memorable since Sandler channels his career angst into these tales. They range from a medieval castle to the Old West and outer space, but the theme of the peasant who would be a prince is ever present. The hero strives to get a better job and win over a maiden, always besting an opponent that looks suspiciously like the hotel's obsequious manger.Soon the children are contributing to and even editing his stories. (They prefer happy endings.) Then, weirdly, the stories start coming true in real life. Or at least parts of them do. Now if Sandler could just figure out how this happens.
THE RIGHT: - There is one great Sandler moment, when he makes a desperate bid to evoke laughs from the unamused kids, by eating a toothpaste sandwich that comes with the automatic added bonus of not having to brush your teeth afterward. And a trained guinea pig, who plays the children's pet, is the go-to guy for all kinds of silly laughs.
THE WRONG: - But I'll pass on the Cinderella part, where in place of those magical shoes, Skeeter seems to be promising to keep lovingly sticking around 'like the stink on your feet.' Nose clips, please this line could be put in an emotional way.
WHERE SHOULD YOU HEAD: - The overall feeling engendered by "Bedtime Stories" is exactly that -- a story long on imagination and short on logic that brings on smiles and dreams of sugar plums dancing in the head. It winks nicely at parents and smiles broadly to children.

VICTORY - NO CHANCE

WHERE IT HEADS: - 'Victory' is the story of a father, Ram Shekhawat (Anupam Kher), who saw such an impossible dream for his son! This is also the heroic story of his son Vijay Shekhawat (Harman Baweja) from the small town of Jaisalmer, Vijay Shekhawat becomes India's latest world-class batting sensation and is catapulted to superstardom!
Vijay Shekhawat manages to make it to the team after seven years of struggling. But with these 'good times' comes a sour apple in the form of team manager Andy Singh (Gulshan Grover), under whose influence Vijay goes off track. Name and fame goes to his head, Shekhawat is no longer the simple guy he used to be. Now described as overconfident and immodest, even his father Ram (Anupam Kher), friend Nandini (Amrita Rao) don't think highly of him...
By the time Vijay realizes the error of his ways, it is too late and he finds himself thrown out of the Indian cricket team because of disciplinary reasons. Suddenly the hero of the cricket crazy India becomes a villain in everyone's eyes. His father Ram Shekhawat's dreams are shattered and suffer a paralytic stroke.
Though there are zillion people who love cricket and movies based on cricket as a main theme; there's little doubt that the 'stadium' of masses won't be too impressed with this bat-n-ball fare.
THE RIGHT: - Amrita Rao helps in enhancing the commercial factor... with her ishq vishq pyar-vyar, and among the superfluity of great cricketers, Brett Lee, Sanath Jayasuriya and Ajantha Mendes have screen presence... A flawless performance by Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover though.
THE WRONG: - Harman Baweja looks amateurish performing as a cricketer on the grounds. Perhaps, watching at least couple of real matches could've got him the psychological feel of emotions displayed on the grounds. Though predictable, one would think that Mr. Director would handle a subject such as this one differently, in order to give it an edge and a unique presentation. Unfortunately, he does nothing conjure, and fails in his deliverance. If compared to the likes of other cricket films like 'Lagaan' or 'Iqbal', Victory falls short of anything as outstanding and lacks gleam.
WHERE TO HEAD: - With the resources at Victory's disposal, the movie had great potential, but the makers lost a match on a winning wicket and it is advised that in case you have bought a ticket for the movie then you should too loose it!

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.

Why Do People Blog?

It is said, first there was a word and from it the world was bornIn the modern era, first there was the Internet and in that Blogs galore were born is more apt.A blog is the evolved version of a personal diary. Its a space where in a person can write anything, personal thoughts, articles, infotainment, general rambling or even venting out their frustrations at large.With no set format and the freedom to express, the blogger can use the written word in any manner they so choose.Blogging has become a booming new internet phenomenon for the writing community for many reasons. First of all, by definition, it offers writers freedom of speech in a published format for any viewer to read. Any thought, any emotion, any artistic piece can be posted within minutes giving a writer an immediate sense of gratification for their work.A blog promotes a sense that one's words are valuable and meaningful to viewers who often become loyal readers of some bloggers sites.Then there is also a financial angel to it. Especially if a blog attracts eyeballs, it also attracts advertisers willing to pay per click on their banners. Often blogging site offer it's blogger a percentage of this ad revenue.Blogs are a boon for people aspiring to take up serious writing in the future. They help such aspirants gain confidence in their writing skills. Consistent reader interest or viewer traffic to any page is like a proof of concept, an indication of the works potential.It is one thing to sit diligently, in solitude, typing away with perseverance and dedication, one's treasured novel or poem, believing one's work is great, but it is another when readers, people one does not know, actually take the time to read one's work, come back and read the posts regularly, and even take the time to leave a comment.This can do wonders for a writer's belief in their self and their dreams.Beyond the serious writers, a blogging site also offers a platform for people who just want to express their "voice". People who are passionate about something as use the blogs as a tool to get their message across the world.And finally, blogs with their infinite reach are a favourite as a free advertising vehicle. If you have something you are trying to promote on a limited budget, what better way to achieve this than to write a post. This instant reach does not cost the marketers a single penny!So, whatever be your trip in life, it pays to have a blog