Firaaq

Trust Nandita Das to come up with something like this. Really, when I was told it is her directorial debut, I was automatically driven to watch the film. I watched Firaaq last week. Set at the time of Gujarat riots, the movie has a steady pace, some great acting and a thought-provoking plot. It’s simple, the same old depiction of Hindu-Muslim concern in similar familiar backgrounds, with surplus emotions. The movie, despite its customary story line, is incredible.

It portrays the aghast conditions of the Muslims in the city – who were brutally murdered and burnt by fanatics of the other caste. The actors have delivered some superb performance and the dialogues are hard-hitting. Needless to mention Naseeruddin Shah’s commendable feat – he has acted through his eyes – be it the emotion of disappointment or complete bliss, it is out right fine acting. Deepti Naval, Paresh Rawal, Shahana Goswami, Tisca Chopra, Sanjay Suri and the whole panel of actors have done justice to Nadita’s vision of conveying a message to our society. The kid especially, is astounding.

The movie is heavy and really depresses you for at the end of the day; innocent people die because of not-so-innocent reasons. It’s a pity that the largest democracy in the world is still the one with such issues that have prevailed over centuries. Who likes bloodshed anyway? In disguise of political avenues, gullible people end up dying, being burnt and left deserted.  It’s easier said than done, I cannot even begin to imagine their plight when they see their loved ones being emotionlessly killed.

Nandita Das’s direction is simple, realistic with a subtle emotion in every angle. Be it something as simple as Deepti Naval pulling out containers for the little child to sit, or the sweet arguments between Naseeruddin Shah and his age-old servant and companion, all of this is overwhelming in a very different way – as you can effortlessly picture yourself there.

Nice movie – slightly slow but must see!

Watchmen – W-o-W!

It came as a shock when I was told we were going for an action movie. Alright, with all due respect to all action freaks in the world, I personally do not like such movies. The violence and blood kind of puts me off. For some weird reasons, I thought it was a scary movie.

‘Watchmen’ is rather scary but for different reasons. It is the fear of universal annihilation that trickles down your thoughts that scares you. What one would inexorably call a comic depiction or a ‘fantasy’ movie – Watchmen is a little more complicated than that.  I don’t know who the actors are, for they all seemed new to me. Except for the Comedian of course, who I thought was to-die-for in Grey’s Anatomy.

The movie is about a bunch of extraordinary people who were rescuers at some time in their lives. For inevitable reasons, they drifted apart to embrace normal lives. As they moved on to lead the so called ‘normal’ lives, they held back their basic instincts and powers. It is the tragic death of the Comedian that gradually brings them together. John (ooh-very-hot) is now socially accepted as a harmless, paranormal person who is, well of course, American J Though he has powers that can destroy the whole planet, the American government thinks of him as the savior of the country.

He has insightful powers to see the past and future. Made of atomic energy, John, as celestial as he appears, is becoming devoid of human emotions. No, don’t get the idea that he becomes outright destructive – he just is enlightened to understand the intricacies of time and space. The functioning of the universe is not unknown to him. He sees a nuclear war between two massive territories of the world and for some reason, has given up hope to alter fate – something he can do.

There are other Watchmen who either are now old, or dead, or astray but still dwell in the passion to save the world. As talks of nuclear war become hotter, these Watchmen take upon the challenge to bring peace in the world.

Fellows, if you are looking at action and bloodshed, you will not be left disappointed but what is rather overwhelming in the movie is the message – the message to understand the true value of life – our energy resources, depleting nature, over-the-top interference of technology and more than anything else, the mad craving for power. Human emotions cannot be erased, they can only be altered.

The movie left a great impact on me – I was dumbstruck for a long time. Very thought-provoking, very interestingly made. Though there is a parallel story line to support the movie, if you understand the primary intent of the movie, I think you would love it too – just the way I did!

Again, must watch.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

A lavish dinner with a delighted glutton – some light banter – and then The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

The movie, nominated for several Academy Awards is magnificent, finely captured and exhibited in a wonderful package. We could take any aspect of the movie and start a discussion – an endless one – only to realize that there are more than just those reasons to like it.

Hats off to the special effects team who effectively complemented the intention of the movie, for if not for that, something somewhere would have gone missing. Benjamin Button, the special child who creates another level of perception of abnormality amongst the so called ‘normal’ in this world. The child who was born with a defect no one could ever change – a defect which in a way was a blessing in disguise.

The movie is captivating in a different way. It’s deep and profound and has the capacity to push you back and make you think and re-think about different aspects of life. Fine actors, fine dialogue delivery, fine cinematography, fine script, fine direction – the movie is one of the best I have watched in a long time. Brad Pitt, surprises me every time I see his performance – he is calm and composed and delivers his dialogues with perfect elocution. It’s a pity that it did not win the Best Movie title at the Oscars.

It might come across as an absurd concept, something so abstruse that you wouldn’t want to spend a nice weekend night on. If I were to narrate the story to someone else, maybe I wouldn’t be able to translate the exact essence of it. I don’t want to do that and hence would strongly recommend that you watch the movie, whenever you can. I sniveled throughout, not because it hurt, but because it touched. The so called abnormal are criticized and ridiculed all over the world – the Whites do that with Blacks, the Rich to the Poor, the Thin to the Fat and the ‘Beautiful’ to the Ugly. What is it that sets the standard? What makes one superior? Will we ever know?

Beauty is driven by perception – and this movie only reiterates that fact. It is skin deep and the movie reemphasizes that fact. Being abnormal is being normal – it establishes that fact.

Queeny is beautiful for she embraced him against all odds.

Daisy is lovely – perfectly chiseled and beautiful at heart for she accepted him as he was.

Benjamin is unblemished, honest, and beautiful for he understood the value of life and surmounted his abnormality to lead a perfectly normal life.

Must watch, must.

Haphazard Realisations

In these times when we all feel despondent and are running out of fuel to keep going, there is something that we can do to save ourselves the secret potion to Sanity - and that something is not to let the instinct in us die. The instinct of being human, rational and creative.

We all have hobbies that we either follow, or like to think that we follow. A hobby, that by its very nature is constructive and relaxing must never be overlooked. After a hard day of work (or even before starting one), just half an hour of doing something we love can charge you enough to last a day. It could be reading, or singing, painting or writing, or just catching up with friends. You can take it step by step, day by day… 

I love Music – and right now I may not have enough finances to buy a CD, but I am enjoying listening to the songs of Dilli 6 that my roomie bought sometime back. The music is fantastic – A R Rahman at his usual best – creating an honest appeal of Dilli in his music. A Music Director in the truest sense, this Music Magician never fails to sway his listeners off their feet, repeatedly. Bhor Bhaye – a Classical piece by Shreya Ghoshal will give you goosebumps if you enjoy listening to Hindustani Classical music. Adding to the experience is a Bhajan – “Amba Ji” and a ‘wedding’ song called “Genda Phool”. The CD has been packaged extremely nicely and the play of colours and pictures adds an ethereal charm to it.

Wait, wasn’t I talking about hobbies? Yes, coming back the point – a hobby will keep you engaged with your ownself – which is important for a human being. Most of the time, we work for someone, trying to please someone else, doing things coz that’s what you are ‘expected’ to do. . . Where then, in this chaos of overlapping responsibilities do you find time for your own self? That which has accompanied you so long, and will patiently do so, for another leap of time?

Before its too late and we all lose ourselves, layer-by-layer, being peeled of by atrocities of time and the Mundane, find yourself that special something…

Enlightenment

What is enlightenment? Is it a final revelation? Or the realization of truth that was in the hiding? Or it is just you opening your eyes to face the reality?

How does it matter anyway? They say, to conquer the truth above all materialistic disguises is enlightenment, but I use this term more often, and more lavishly than that.

To me it is sheer realisation – realisation of your inner self – coming to terms with the many aspects of your being. I am enlightened every day, almost. It may not reflect in my behaviour, because it means I am still reeling under its effect. While I do care and strongly feel about the worldly sufferings and atrocities around the globe, to me, in my little world, my problems mean the world to me. Be it something as petty as what to cook for dinner, or as large and profound as dealing with my inefficiency to understand technological nomenclature, I wonder and I worry and I ponder.

One more thing I have realised is that I cannot seek happiness – it will find its way if it were to come to me. If watching a small kid waiting to cross the road and get to school makes me happy, it is in my realm of elements that make me smile. If such things don’t make you happy, it does not make mine any lesser – why do people compare emotions that are just so personal?

Nonetheless, my episodes of enlightenment occur every day, and I sometimes like it and sometimes I don’t. The fact of the matter is, I encounter it coz I introspect all the time, which also makes me a little weird but that’s OK I guess

The other day I was enlightened by the fact that lizards still have the same impact on me as they did years ago – frightening, scary, panicky. (they all mean the same, but hey read FEAR).

State of mind? Dealing with failure

Weather? God knows, I am sitting ‘air conditioned’

Song? Sorrow, Pink Floyd

Holi not so Holy

A big festival – no celebrations, away from home, sick.

This was one of the worst Holi ever! This is the time when I realise how important it is to be rooted, to be connected from where you come from. Not only did I not go home, I couldn’t even be at work so ended up taking leaves anyway! How frustrating is that!!! My family has gone to Jhansi, to celebrate the festival with my relatives… They called me telling me how much fun it is and how they wish I was there too! Ugh.

I can only imagine how people who live abroad handle this. I mean, here atleast I still saw some colour on the roads on my way to the doctor, but what if I was in some God forsaken country where playing with colours is considered to be a crime or something! Without any brown skinned people, simply dressed, with religious marks on their foreheads, on a mission to change the world gradually… Without seeing any ladies carrying their kids, and the household purchses in a bag, struggling to get an auto on dug-up city roads… Without being able to hear kids, mostly boys, play cricket and abuse each other every time someone goes on Duck. Hmmm…

Getting all entangled in this whole ”growing up” mess… I love it here, it is good… work is nice, life is good… but there is something which is still incomplete… Like a void which tends to overpower all other emotions…

Anyway, later. Time for medicines.

State of mind? Extremely sick and homesick

Weather? Pleasant under my blanket

Song? Dilli 6

makesmehappy

Well, another month without any posts. Can I blame  it on the fact the fact that February is a short month? Oh, alright. I know what you mean.

Moving on, like always, amazing level of chaos in my life and mind. But hey, guess what; I have decided to do things that are going to makemehappy. Simple.

Like, listening to music right in the morning irrespective of whether or not I am running late. If I start my day with music, it works as a sure-shot healing for all drudgery and distraught. I also, am going to, well in my own comfortable time, start meeting people – those who I may have lost touch with, and those who are absolute strangers, without any pre-drawn judgements about who I am.

I am going to travel -  and enjoy it too! I am going to de-burden (is that correct?) myself from silly things that pull me down all the time. The whole let’s-get-everything-perfect mania is driving me insane. I need to let loose, and relax. Supine, relaxed, soothed…

Work is good, and so are the people around me. There is no negativity and I like being there. People are soft and nice and indulge in healthy discussions all the time. I realise, how it is extremely important to have an intelligent bunch of people around you. The conversations are stimulating and you end up learning a lot. I mean, you do need your time and space to discuss the unknown about life and the miseries enwrapping all of us but honestly, on an average, it is the general, light conversations through the day that will maintain whatever little sanity we have left in us.

I met a bunch of very interesting people last night – some still lost but making an effort, some totally lost and flowing smooth and some who lost some, found some and are now leading normal lives.

Oh, I went totally off the track, didn’t I? Well, another thing I am going to start doing is dealing with myself positively. Instead of pointing fingers at my own self all the time, I will not worry and bother about stupid, silly things anymore. I also am going to let-it-go when necessary…

I don’t know why but I am all excited. Some sort of bug I guess…

State of mind? Clear blue skies.

Weather? Surprisingly HOT!

Song? My Baby’s Got a Secret! :p