Bits and Pieces

Of late, the bug of re-reading has really hit me hard. From books I have re-read over a period of time like says The last of Dusk or The Clear Light of Day to ones I have read only once like Midnight’s Children and Lunatic in my Head, I am rediscovering the joy of books I have once read and its simply fabulous to do it again. The forgotten phrases, those hazy plots and the crazy characters, all seem to come back and it really makes me glad that I’m doing something I wanted to do for a long time.

A visit to the Srikalahasthi Temple near Tirupati nearly made me weep recently. It is truly one of the most majestic temples in India, with huge pillars, intricate carvings and stones which are centuries old. Half of the temple has been shoddily white washed, with really bizarre temporary constructions and wires hanging on arbitrarily. Our immense talent in reducing a centuries old marvel to a shoddy joke really has no competition. This is the same temple which once used to make me wonder about the strength of men, to build something like this when you had no modern tools and then again to destroy something so beautiful when you have every conceivable modern aid.

I am hooked to Everybody likes Raymond, I don’t like half of it but am watching episode after episode, guess when the sitcom bite bites, it bites hard!

Say Sush

A long standing wish came true some time back when I interviewed Sushmita Sen. She was as dazzling in person as I expected her to be and the thing about her is that when she turns on the charm it really hits you in the face, there is no way in hell  you can escape it! Surrounded by beauty queens half her age, Sush really managed to hold her own and that’s really quite something. For one, I didn’t write down any questions and was really tongue tied in her presence. Two, to her credit she never shied away from giving any answer however personal. My personal favorite was when I asked her if she felt that her Bollywood career never really took off, the lady replied, “ I only fight when there is a position and two times in my life when I had to fight for the top position I won, the Miss India final and the Miss Universe final.” Amen to that.

Watching “English Vinglish” was such a treat. I cannot remember the last time, when I wished that a movie was longer. Sridevi remains the undisputed actress she always was and I just hope that she chooses scripts which do her justice! On the same note, Aiyya had to be the worst movie of the year, I really don’t know why I would spend 150 bucks to watch such nonsense.

Hoping to meet Yuraj Singh in a few hours from now, the PR is notorious for being flippant, so let’s see if Yuraj actually turns up! Will be back with that...

 

PS: a later update, did meet Yuvraj Singh...didnt like him much, very standoffish...

Sunny Days

I met Sunny Leone yesterday and was totally floored by her grace and poise. We build so much impression of those we don’t know that it comes as a great relief when you are wrong. I expect someone fake, dumb and airy she came across as pleasant, well read and very intelligent. In the small time I met her and questioned her about her adult movies, she replied that she did what she did and it was not wrong in her eyes…no regret and no apology just because she made it big in Bollywood now. I was charmed on my part when she praised the city, and the way she handled herself when a mob of photographers almost fell on her…by simply saying… “Bhaiyya coffee gir jaayegi…” and making them retreat. Sunny days ahead.

I have been regularly irregular on this space because I didn’t feel like writing. Even thought I would delete my blog but something made me stop and get back. The past two months have been confusing and bewildering for various reasons and I am simply glad to be here. I have grown a year old and am hoping that wisdom will not be amiss this time.

Simply dont like the changes done to this website. Is there any way we can get the old, user friendly format back?

I'm in love

with some fabulous advertisements on air these days. My favorite is the Dairy Milk Silk ad with a classical dancer. It is what advertising should actually be- no big star and no fuss, it tells you simply and succintly why you should buy a product- merely for your pleasure!! (Though Na later tells me that this product is not all that great) I love Dairy Milk ads, they are classy to the core.(Some!!) Another one is the Cola Ad with Kalki/ Imran Khan. what I am amazed at is the amazing chemistry they share, like SRK and Tabu!! They dont utter one single word but sizzle the ad with their presence. Just like Katrina who looks absolutely alluring in the new Slice advert, in a boat. She simply looks sexy, much like the aamsutra she is promoting! Slick and Sensational, they are simple reminders that all you need is a little presence of mind in marketing yourself, not oodles of cash!

I interviewed Konkona Sen today and all I'll say is that it was disappointing! I really like her work so will not criticise her but it was not what I expected! One good thing was that I got to interview the wonderful Vinay Pathak(who for me will always be Winnie Sir in Hip Hip Hurray)who was really entertaining. Articulate and witty, he even conveyed regards to my sister because I said that we were great fans of his!

I really am clueless as to why Colors and Max want to kill Hindi speaking people by subjecting them to a torture of dubbed Telugu movies!!

The best thing

about being a presswallah is the food you can sample for free! I just returned from a meal at a ferociously fabulous place called Excess and my dining experience there has soothed a horrid week where everything went beyond wrong! Now, I'm a very conventional eater, but at this place I actually had broccoli with stuffed cheese and guess...gulab jamuns in dal makhni with a papad stew!...it was amazing...for dessert I had an ice cream sandwich with biscotti and raspberry sauce, it was actually an ice cream slab in the midst of a specially made bread and it singlehandedly made the 30kms drive worthwhile!! The ambience, the live music and the gorgeous PR who was asking me eat, eat and eat...sigh!! For once I was glad to do a food review!!This place will cost you the Earth, but boy it will definitely be worthy of it!

The save the Tiger campaign is really great but I wonder if it isnt misplaced. The people who need to be educated are the idiots in Government and forest officials who turn a blind eye to poaching and pass ludicrous rules like building a highway in Panna Reserve or Nilgiris (the former is the last remaining habitat of the big cat)They are your target audience, but still a campaign has been launched and something is being done but I think it's too little, hope it's not too late. The saddest part is that we never value ourselves, let alone our National Animal. Look at the way China protects its Panda's or Australia its Koala's but we couldnt give a damn!

Watch Ishqiya, for once it dosent disappoint!!

Women!!

are one inscrutable lot!! You never can know them properly and if anyone thinks they have cracked the plot should really put it to practical use! I was watching ONE episode of that effant terrible reality show "Pati Patni aur Woh" and the conclusion was that men are a lot easier to deal with. That Juhi never stops screaming and screeching, all she was doing was moaning and complaining, while her poor husband (Aamir I think) was running around and putting up with the diva's tantrums. Debina ( a prettier Mayawati) who looks lovely is one major tartar who will have to have her way and if she doesn’t like anything, gawd save you. That idiot Gurmeet still wants to marry her! Rakhi is a universe in herself and no amount of description would do any justice and all I can say about her reported "fiancée" is dude, thank your stars...you got off easily. That Swetha Tiwari who played the purrfect bahu for seven years is one major harridan, whose temper can only rival Ekta Kapoor’s. Barkha Dutt is another weirdo. Nothing ever pleases them and all they can see is their own distorted view point. The way these people treat others is totally reminiscent of our erstwhile colonial masters, or to quote a relatively newer example the way the Chinese are treating Africa...inhuman and absolutely controlling! Only Shilpa and Mouni( who’s really cute) looked even approachable!! The funniest thing was that all the guys were cool and relaxed, comfortable and secure in their own skins!

While we are on it, two women I totally and completely love on TV are

Nidhi Razdan, the sole reason to watch NDTV. Elegant, classy and unique- everything thing about her is impeccable...from her sarees to diction

Ambica Anand..one word to describe her is WOW. She manages to look at home equally in an Armani store in Paris and a bazaar in Jodhpur. Vivacious, exceptional and simply stunning.

PS: Balasaheb is back!!

For Christ's sake!

I can’t stop laughing, I seriously cannot. Sample this, her act should be likened to the humanity of Jesus Christ and Mother Teresa, Oh Jesus (Or jejus, a la Rakhi Sawant)! This was Mani Shankar Aiyar, tripping over himself and falling at the feet of his reigning deity the Princess of press, Priyanka Gandhi. He was referring to Priyanka’s gesture of meeting Nalini, her father’s killer and the criticism of that by Jayalalithaa. Now, no woman in modern India has a fury that can be rivaled /likened to the mighty Amma. I don’t really know why these people, from Pilot’s to Scindia’s who study at Eton and Doon, finish at Wharton and Oxford have to fawn and flatter everyone from Raja Rahul to Secular So-nea, Is a seat in Lok Sabha or a Ministerial berth worth your self respect? Here is Aiyar, the same person who stood on a stool at a rally (with folded hands) while the mighty mother was canvassing for him. He did a huge turnaround and said he’ll donate Jayalalithaa to the Guruvayoor Temple and got famously smacked by chappals (long before Jarnail entered the scene) in Anna Salai. Jayalalithaa’s fury is like Nature’s wrath, unheard and unimagined of, a party man who had switched to DMK and returned home, was made to prostrate four times before National Media ostensibly because the media had not got a good shot! So Mani Ayyor, ab tera kya hoga?

Went to Secunderabad Club yesterday, I mean I’ve always wanted to go to that place. Since childhood it was like one of those fab places like in Anita Desai’s novels, clubs were supposed to be magical and mysterious but as with everything which comes with expectations, this again was a huge letdown. From the snooty guard who didn’t let me in (the press card didn’t work) to the ageing Colonial building built by the British, it was okay not oh-gawd! But thankfully the play was good, Karaoke killers was fun, replete with songs and dances and so was the food, the butter bread pudding was del-i-cious.

Just spoke to Mi and am jumping up and down!

Fake it!

I for one am completely bowled over by the fake Ipl player's blog! I am impatient to read his next! Witty, entertaining and devastatingly sarcastic, the blog is nasty, mean and highly amusing, Well, if you are not a member of the Knight Riders. Trying to pin point as to why the blog is so popular, I've encountered a few uncomfortable truths...the reason for its astounding success is that it appeals to the Lowest Common Denominator present in us, the inhuman appetite for dirt and the obvious relish for rumors or scandals. It is clear enough that the blog was well concieved and pre planned if the sartorial nick names are anything to go by! Little John/Big sister. hilarious! As to who is behind it, well from Sunil Gavaskar to Shobhaa De, SRK has managed to rub every shoulder in the wrong manner,so it's difficult to know who is getting their own back at him! Sexual escapades of our cricketers/film stars which were considered a taboo in reporting, have been broken down and I really wouldn't wonder it it is a precursor for much more to come. The quirky writing style really amazes me...sample this "We are trying our hardest to lose and finish last"...Well, I would dearly love to know if it tickles the King Khan's(nicked Dildo!!) famous sense of humor/witty repartees!

Interviewed Omair ahmed, the author of "The Storyteller's Tale" over the phone last week and was really impressed by the manner in which he said "A lot of the World is a part of me"...Few can pull off a statement like that and he did it with panache!

Do you know that Zee cinema still airs mythological hindi movies on Sunday mornings?

a yarn called yuvraaj

I'm a survivor!! watched Yuvraaj which was even worse than watching it's cocky cricketing namesake play!!the movie was a BIG mistake...one that should not have been made,and if it was so impertinently important it should've been made at least two decades back...still Katrina manages to look good whenever she plays whatever shes supposed to play!!The most hilarious part of the movie was when Zayed Khan makes faces at the mirror(and us,the amused audience)and pretends to cry,at the same time mocking all of us who opted to watch the movie instead of sitting cozily at home on a Saturday night...it was indeed fun!One path breaking blunder here is calling Anil kapoor autistic.Now any half baked dictionary will tell you that autistic people cannot respond to their surrounding environs,here this person not only responds but overtly exaggerates outdated values!!May be scientists should check out how he manages to be so annoying!Also Salman still cant act and worse he still makes an attempt!aint it too little,too late brother??even the music (which I thought and still think was fabulous,some called the lyrics by Gulzar bizarre!!excuse moi!!) was ripped apart by the critics...Did I mention that the movie also had a slutty vamp who slinks(was that supposed to be sexy??)and speaks shuddh Hindi in two scenes?Karzz would've given me more value for my ticket I guess...but what the heck I at least know how beautiful Austria looks!!
Anyways,does the call by the Prime Minister to end terror in 100 days(whatever that means!!)hint that the general elections will be here in 3 months?? frankly I dont care as I just rediscovered one of my first loves-Milkmaid!!Nothing is as sweet,sinful and seductive!!Off to satiate my drooling buds!Ciao.

All but(t) there!

Watched Dostana today!was kinda fun...a no brainer meant for having fun while watching it...no heavy duty scenes,no pyar and sacrifice... just like instant noodles...eat and forget! Priyanka Chopra was looking absolutely delicious and that's thrice in a row!(Drona,Fashion and now Dostana)John Abraham was given meticulous attention,navel to nose no part was differentiated and in those scenes in which he does manage to wear a shirt it is made sure that at least some cleavage pops out,also his 'ass'ets make a mark with a blink and miss appearance(which leaves poor Shilpa in a cold corner!!)...so with the guys happy with Pri Cho and gals with Jo Abs(literally!) where does that leave the bachchan boy? nowhere!! and that is true..neither does he receive the attention the other two are lavished upon nor does he have the physique to bare his chest and that has stranded AB with only Ash as the singular viewer who drools over him!(or at least prefers him to the other two) and does he still have that paunch, a leftover from Guru(yea the same one which was released when we were kids!)The first half was entertaining and the second half was plain silly,but something was amiss.nothing which will remind you of the movie once you are out...it was just a loose script bound together with some amusing gags...repeat value? naah wait for yuvraaj next week.although credit must be given for the fact that it did stay loyal to its name....Dostana! Discovery of the movie?? Pri Cho has amazing legs! where did you hide em' all along? or was it just us looking sideways??
Another discovery and this onez actually gonna help people....Barista has absolutely yummy Pizzas..had a cottage cheese pizza today and man!!just like Pri cho in that golden swimsuit...smashing! thanks to my friend Si who suggested that we try one...also the place has a new menu which spells out each coffee succinctly,under pressure for waiters I guess,who are unable to decipher obnoxious pronunciations ( like cappuccino...kap-oo-chee-noh) Wicked!!

Weddings,weirdos and wonderful lines!

Went to a wedding yesterday(not Marriage as my friend Sa never tires of telling me!) and wondered what was it about weddings that makes one go ga-ga.Is it the joy of meeting people you never otherwise would,the riot of colors which run there,yum food or the heightened anticipation of happiness??Having closely been involved in two weddings(of my siblings,lest you think you-know-what!)I have fallen into love with the whole event management which takes place behind the scenes-the ingenious ways devised to show off subtly(if there is such a thing),the shopping(but of course),hurried activities,loads and loads of do-gooder relatives who end up being more of a hindrance than help and of course the endless opportunities it offers for networking! Did have fun at the Wedding,meeting old classmates and indulged myself by getting swept over in a wave of nostalgia.Cant wait for the next invite to turn up!
Also I have to confess that I am mighty scared of the insolent Indica Cabs which rule the roads of Hyderabad.Absolutely disgraceful driving!!I always make sure that I am never behind,next to or in front of one but given it's frequency (which is more than the number of times you see Rahul Mahajan professing his undying love for Monica Bedi on BB) it is an impossible feat! and such dreadful drivers!effante terrible!!was listening to songs from Yuvraaj, one amazing song goes like this "zindagi zindagi kya kami rehgayi,aankh ki kore main kyon nami rehgayi" which made me so childishly happy!Gulzar rocks and is so much better than the affected Akthar!!go on listen to the song....