Thieves, locks and my M800

I'm planning to sell my old 'n faithful M800. It has served me well for more than 3 years. Has done 32000 odd kilometers without ever breaking down and has never needed a mechanic except for the odd denting job. Not only do I feel that maintaining two cars is prohibitively expensive but unsafe too. Both my Santro and M800 have survived attempts of theft. Last Wednesday, I was woken up at 3'o clock when watchman rang the bell and told me that two guys just ran off from my car after seeing him, I went out to discover that they had broken in my car. All the doors were open and windows too. Thankfully the good old Harrison lock at the steering joint was there. Not too long ago my mother discovered one fine morning that the quarter glass of Santro had been broken and someone had broke into the car, the gear lock saved me this time! I changed the manner in which i parked the cars at my place. Although bigger, Santro was inside and 800 was outside but now this happened. After Last week's dramatic episode, I put two steering locks (long rod ones), one Harrison lock and tie the car to the gate with a chain. I know it isn't foolproof but I hope it is deterrent enough. BTW, just before the lock of the main door, we are putting 8 locks these days!!! And considering our financial position, we needn't put any ;-)

All said, I just hope thieves aren't reading blogs these days...

Black, Bollycat and others...

Imagine a situation where you own a 1986 Bajaj whereas your neighbour has a Honda City, you live in a tattered house, your neighour who already has a bigger house is adding two more floors (although more ppl too), you are a social outcaste whereas your neighbour socializes with the cream. Your neighbour's income and stature keeps rising whereas its a struggle for you to make ends meet. You keep bickering over the back porch fence whereas your neighbour is busy building new businesses. Give yourself a moment and imagine how would you feel in such a situation???

Maybe this is exactly how a Pakistani feels vis-a-vis India. Haydur Agha is one such disgruntled and envious Pakistani. (BTW, what kind of name is that? Probably his parents spelt Haider deliberately this way so as to make him realize all along that he was a mistake.) So this guy Agha is ranting about how Movies from 'bollywood' are copies of western flicks and shameless ones at that (http://www.bollycat.com/). Of all people, how on earth could someone be so brazen. Pakistanis made 'Raja Pakistani' out of 'Raja Hindustani' (Thanks Gurdish!). And this shameless Paki thinks living in US, he can hold a moral high-ground, judging ppl as shameless or otherwise. There wouldn't had been a problem had he made a plain catalogue, but this guy thinks he is too smart and is farting his opinions all over making the most incredulous generalizations. He confesses not seeing hindi films but sees no problem in being judgemental about them, He'd do anything to discount Hindi films. If this is the kind of mindset that Paki's generally have, then I don't think relations can ever improve.

But surprisingly enough for me at least, Chidananda Rajghatta, ToI's US correspondent was stupid enough to do a piece on Agha's farts. One more reason that I'm beginning to dislike ToI!

All that apart, one thing that I got to know this morning is that Black is a lift-off from 'The Miracle Worker'. Expected better from Bhansali but anyway!!!

P.S. I'd like to request all those who read this not to use the word 'Bollywood'. Its a shame that we use it altogether. We have our own identity, lets stick to the "Bombay film industry".

Really Funny!

read this at the back of a M800:

"bade ho ke Corolla banoongi"

Rohtak

I attended my brother-in-law's wedding last Sunday in Rohtak. It was a typical Rohtak wedding. The point of this piece is that earlier, whenever I had the (mis?)fortune of attending some marriage party in rohtak, I have met with some kind of accident. A few years back, on a cousins wedding, I fell in a gutter. Thankfully, It was dry. I was neck deep into it and this was right outside the entrance of the tent. Quite a spectacle it would have been!!!

In 2002, one more of my Rohtaki cousins got married, It was a fairly decent place in Rohtak but it didn't have much of a parking. I parked my car alongside a colony road. I came back in the morning to discover that my car was badly hit. I couldn't believe it but thats the way Rohtak is. Its a town of early risers, a town that moves at its own pace (with its fume spitting three wheelers), its pigs, its broken roads, its milk based economy and a very typical railway station. And to my amusement, although things are changing but the city never loses its character. BTW, Although, 3 out of 6 of my cousins in Rohtak are married, 3 are still left. Don't know what is in store for me.

Anyway, I used to like the days that I spent at my maternal uncle's home in Rohtak medical college campus. With its greenery, its mango trees, the camp side which one reached after jumping the boundary wall, the local ice-cream-cone vendor who came without fail in summer evenings and the monkeys, it had an old world charm, yes I do miss it.

I also visited the village of my wife. Quite a village that, plenty of things that i noticed. Least of all, the cool breeze that was everywhere, the houses were big and naturally lit, the food sumptuous, and the hospitality even better. No wonder, ppl in their ripe old age too were so healthy and attentive. One thing that will remain with me is that during a visit to a temple there, I could see men and women, young and old alike, all laughing heartily on a lazy monday afternoon. That is pretty much unimaginable for someone born and brought up in a metropolis. Some life that!!!!!!!!

Accident

I was involved in a minor accident today morning. After I dropped my wife, I was going to my building which is some 300 mts from her building and my car was hit on the back by a bus which incidentally is contracted by our company itself. Although there wasn't much damage but still a back-light got broken. I called up the contractor and he was willing to get my car repaired. But just to be on the safer side, i.e, to make sure that the contractor does not turn away from his commitment, I asked HR how to go about the matter.
Here is the transcript of my mails with them,

********* I'VE DELETED THIS ON GV'S SUGGESTION*************

Astonishing, how important it is to put oil in the right places to get the things moving.

BLACK -> Review

It is difficult to write a review for a movie which does not fit into the parameters of a typical hindi movie. And Black is more than just that. It is a kind of movie that has never been attempted before, although there has been an odd 'Koshish' and 'Khamoshi' before. But Black is extremely different. I daresay, it just might be the coming of age film for Hindi cinema. I wish it heralds an era where films are not made keeping in mind the lowest common denominator alone. One can argue that Black is abstract, the kind of art that an artist indulges in to please himself, but what the heck, It still is art.

Movies which are based on emotions and sensibilities work differently for different people. It worked for me but it may not work for someone else. Since it defies the conventional parameters of hindi cinema, it is difficult to make judgements on it. But what can be said surely is that Black, in terms of the techniques of cinema, is an outstanding film. Each frame is a piece of art, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has an uncanny eye for detail, even a novice can notice how every frame is picture perfect.

By now, almost everyone knows that Black is a story of a aurally and visually challenged girl and her eccentric teacher portrayed by Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan. Loosely based on the real life story of Helen Keller - Anne Sullivan. (For the Doubting Thomas' who think that what Rani eventually achieves in Black is impossible, kindly see http://www.time.com/time/time100/

heroes/profile/keller01.html). A film like Black is completely dependent on performances. Good performances can make the film, not-so-good can break it. And fortunately for Black, In all the years that I've been watching hindi cinema, besides Sholay, this is the only film where each actor has performed brilliantly, Especially, Ayesha Kapur as the young inconvenienced girl. She is brilliant. I'll come to the lead actors later.

Bhansali is known for his visually opulent cinema. He created a riot of colours with resplendent sets and costumes for Devdas. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was magnificient with its picturesque locations. In contast, Black is generally in shades of greys, browns and whites (The only time I can remember Red colour in the entire movie is when Rani Mukherjee wears it just before a touching sequence where she longs for male companionship). But still, Black is a visual treat. The sets, lighting and camerawork are magnificient to say the least. Truly, truly impressive. Background score too deserves a special mention.

I can go on and on about the technique but that would make this review painfully long but Black is THE movie to be seen if you consider cinema to be an art. I'd mention one particular scene where Rani's mother and Amitabh Bachachan are involved in a sentimental discussion standing at a door, if you can notice what is special, you'll consider Black a masterpiece.

Bhansali is known for his preference for over-the-top dialogue deliveries and exaggerated expressions. Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai in HDDCS and everyone in Devdas was almost nautanki style. To start with Amitabh Bachchan too fell for the bait, his performance in initial reels is slightly exaggerated but once he settles in, he is delightful to watch. Perhaps in his most challenging role after Agneepath, Amitabh has delivered an amazing performance. Give the man a stage and he'll beat everyone hollow. No doubt in my mind, that despite all his ads, he'll regain the respect of all his ardent fans after Black. One particuar sequence where he is talking to the principal of Rani's college and has a bout of amnesia is very very good. Bravo Big B, we want more from you!!!

As for Rani Mukherjee, it is difficult to think of any other modern actress who could have played the role of Michelle McNally, she too has given a splendid performance but her walk has distinctive Bhansali over-the-top touch to it.

All in all, I would recommend Black but I'll nevertheless add that about 50 people walked off mid-show at WAVE,NOIDA during the Movie. If you are looking for some light-weight typical time pass hindi film, stay away from Black, but if you want to watch something really different, don't miss it for anything.
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P.S. I was reading Nikhat Kazmi's review in TOI. She said it was level 3 for hindi cinema after Satya breached level 2. Accepted. She said Black was Oscar Material. Just a request to everyone who reads this, Let us stop weighing the worth of our art in the yardsticks of the west. If Black gets an Oscar, It won't be a surprise. But even if it doesn't, it won't take anything away from it, it will still remain the most astonishing product of the Mumbai film industry till date.

Some Copied Hindi Songs

Well, This list itself is copied from some source on the internet. What hurts is that even Virasaat's "Taarein hain baaraati", which is one of my favorite songs is copied...

Hindi Song: Haan Haan Yeh Pyaar Hai (Dillagi)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You (Frankie Valli)

Hindi Song: Koi Nahin Tere Jaisa (Keemat)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Cotton Eye Joe (Rednex)

Hindi Song: Tumhe Kaise Main Bataaoon (Dastak)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: The Windmills Of Your Mind (The Thomas Crown Affair)

Hindi Song: Paayal Meri Jaadu (Rajkumar)
Music Director: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Copied From: Faith (George Michael)

Hindi Song: Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye (Jurm)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Five Hundred Miles (Peter, Paul, & Mary)

Hindi Song: Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha(Chhaya)
Music Director: Salil Chowdhury
Copied From: Symphony No. 40 (Mozart)

Hindi Song: Tera Gussa (Kareeb)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: The Happy Birthday Song

Hindi Song: Tu Woh Tu Hai (Beqaabu)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Theme from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Hindi Song: Suno Zara (Bada Din)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: You Needed Me (Anne Murray)

Hindi Song: Tirchi Topiwaale (Tridev)
Music Director: Viju Shah
Copied From: The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You (Miami Sound Machine)

Hindi Song: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (C.I.D.)
Music Director: O.P. Nayyar
Copied From: Oh My Darling Clementine (Unknown source)

Hindi Song: Mil Gaya (Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: Mama Mia (ABBA)

Hindi Song: Kya Kehna (Kya Kehna)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Oh Carol (Paul Anka)

Hindi Song: Mere Rang Mein (Maine Pyar Kiya)
Music Director: Raam Laxman
Copied From: The Final Countdown (Europe)

Hindi Song: Aate Jaate (Maine Pyar Kiya)
Music Director: Raam Laxman
Copied From: I Just Called To Say I Love You (Stevie Wonder)

Hindi Song: Jhilmil Sitaaron Ne Kaha (Khote Sikkey)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)

Hindi Song: Chura Liya Hai Tumne (Yaadon Ki Baraat)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: If It's Tuesday This Must Be Belgium (Walter Scharf)

Hindi Song: Teri Chaahat Ke Siva (Jaanam)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: El Condor Pasa (Simon & Garfunkel)
Note: I also noticed that the starting of El Condor Pasa also sounds a lot
like "Taarein Hain Baaraati" from Malik's later album, Virasat.

Hindi Song: Dole Dole Dil (Baazi)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Come September (Theme)

Hindi Song: Aisa Zakhm Diya (Akele Hum Akele Tum)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Sweet Child In Time (Deep Purple)
Note: The opening and closing portions of the Hindi song are inspired.

Hindi Song: Dil Mera Churaaya Kyoon (Akele Hum Akele Tum)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Last Christmas (Wham)

Hindi Song: Sun Sun Sun Barsaat Ki Dhun (Sir)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Listen To The Sound Of The Rain (Jose Feliciano)

Hindi Song: Ladna Jhagadna (Duplicate)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: A-Tisket A-Tasket (Children's song)
Note: Wow.

Hindi Song: Ek Sharaarat Hone Ko Hai (Duplicate)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Slip And Slide (Laura Allen)

Hindi Song: Baraana De (Insaaf)
Music Director: Anand-Milind
Copied From: Paranue (Serapis Bey)

Hindi Song: Mujhe Neend Na Aaye (Dil)
Music Director: Anand-Milind
Copied From: Chunni Ud Ud Jaaye (Alaap - UK band)

Hindi Song: Hari Om Hari (Pyaara Dushman)
Music Director: Bappi Lahiri
Copied From: One Way Ticket (Eruption)

Hindi Song: Koi Yahan Naache Naache(Disco Dancer)
Music Director: Bappi Lahiri
Copied From: Video Killed The Radio Star (The Buggles)

Hindi Song: Yeh Vaada Hai (Raju Chacha)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Day By Day (Godspell)

Hindi Song: Jaana Suno Hum (Khamoshi)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Bring The Wine (Paul Anka)

Hindi Song: Koi Mil Gaya (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Take That Look Off Your Face (Song And Dance)

Hindi Song: Yunhi Kat Jaayega (Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke)
Music Director: Nadeem-Shravan
Copied From: Lovely Lady Of Arcadia (Demis Roussos)

Hindi Song: O Mere Sapnon Ka (Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin)
Music Director: Nadeem-Shravan
Copied From: Bachelor Boy (Cliff Richard)

Hindi Song: Pehli Baar Mile Hain (Saajan)
Music Director: Nadeem-Shravan
Copied From: Solitude Standing (Suzanne Vega)

Hindi Song: Haseena Gori Gori (Tarazu)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: In The Summertime (Shaggy)

Hindi Song: Chaand Sitaare (Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Voices (Vangelis)

Hindi Song: Badan Judaa Hote (Koyla)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Conquest Of Paradise (Vangelis)

Hindi Song: Humko Pyaar Hai (Moksha)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Messages (Vangelis)

Hindi Song: Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (Old)
Music Director: Ravi
Copied From: The Breeze And I (Al Stillman and Ernesto Lecuona)

Hindi Song: Jeevan Ke Safar Mein (Munimji)
Music Director: S.D. Burman
Copied From: The Mexican Hat Dance

Hindi Song: Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (Title)
Music Director: Sandeep Chowta
Copied From: Exorcist II: The Heretic (Theme)

Hindi Song: Roundhe Hai (Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya)
Music Director: W. Killar & Sandeep Chowta
Copied From: Vampire Hunters (Bram Stoker's Dracula)

Hindi Song: Kambakth Ishq (Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya)
Music Director: Sandeep Chowta
Copied From: Eireann (Afro Celt Sound System)

Hindi Song: Yeh Pyaar Hai (Indian)
Music Director: Anand Raaj Anand
Copied From: Ojos Asi (Shakira)

Hindi Song: Gupt Gupt (Gupt)
Music Director: Viju Shah
Copied From: Deep Forest (Deep Forest)

Hindi Song: Babuji Dheere Chalna (Aar Paar)
Music Director: O.P. Nayyar
Copied From: Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps(Doris Day)

Hindi Song: Mehbooba Mehbooba (Sholay)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: Say You Love Me (Demis Roussos)

Hindi Song: Tumse Milke (Parinda)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: When I Need You (Leo Sayer)

Hindi Song: Kaisa Tera Pyaar (Love Story)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: I Have A Dream (ABBA)

Hindi Song: Aa Ab Laut Chalen (Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai)
Music Director: Shankar Jaikishan
Copied From: Ciao Ciao Bambina (Domenico Modugno)

Hindi Song: Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle (Aa Gale Lag Jaa)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: The Yellow Rose Of Texas (Elvis Presley)

Hindi Song: Neela Dupatta Peela Suit (Hameshaa)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: All I Wanna Say (Michael Jackson)

Hindi Song: Love Hua (Jaanam Samjha Karo)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Angelo (Brotherhood Of Man)

Hindi Song: Neend Churaayi Meri (Ishq)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Sending All My Love (Tolga)

Hindi Song: Kuch Kasmein (Aankhen)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Nights In White Satin (Moody Blues)

Hindi Song: Tinak Tin Taana (Mann)
Music Director: Sanjeev-Darshan
Copied From: Yang Sedang-Sedang Saja (Iwan - Malaysian)

Hindi Song: I Was Made For Loving You (Jaanam Samjha Karo)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: I Was Made For Loving You (Kiss)

Hindi Song: Na Bole Tum Na Maine (Baaton Baaton Mein)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore)

Hindi Song: Kaun Hai Jo Sapnon Mein Aaya (Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan)
Music Director: Shankar Jaikishan
Copied From: Marguerita (Elvis Presley)

Technology and Heroes...

This is an excerpt from what I was reading on the web just now...

More than a third of a century ago, before anyone had ever heard of videotapes or the World Wide Web or 24-hour TV news stations, Daniel Boorstin, in his uncannily prescient book The Image, described how, as we move deeper into what he called the Graphic Revolution, technology would threaten to diminish us. Ideas, even ideals, would be reduced to the level of images, he argued, and faith itself might be simplified into credulity. "Two centuries ago, when a great man appeared," the historian wrote, "people looked for God's purpose in him; today we look for his press agent."

The hero — so ran Boorstin's prophecy — was being replaced by the celebrity, and where once our leaders seemed grander versions of ourselves, now they just looked like us on a giant screen. Nowadays, as we read about the purported telephone messages of a sitting President and listen to the future King of England whisper to his mistress, the power of technology not just to dehumanize but to demystify seems 30 times stronger than even Boorstin predicted.

From Noida to (not so) Greater Noida...

Finally that dreaded mail has arrived. Company is moving to a bigger campus at Greater NOIDA, which is 65 kms from my place. I hear the timings are going to be different too. My wife's group would stay back in the original campus. Therefore, although we'll technically be in the same company but would get to see each other only in the mornings and evenings. Not too many people are keen to make a move though but inertia will take them there. I cannot imagine my life living in Rohini and working in Greater NOIDA spending four hours daily in transit. Life's too short already too spend such a significant chunk in a bus. Something's gotta give. And I hope it happens soon.

Anyway, whats great about greater NOIDA???