Navneet Wasu – Wherever You Are…

” No seriously, Bombay is the best city in the world…I wish I die there!”

” Oh shut up Navneet, stop being so dramatic about everything…”

” hahaha, crack child, I am trying to sound like YOU!”

*********

And she did. Keeping up to her word, the Powerhouse in my life silently collapsed, leaving us utterly devastated. Navneet Wasu, my ‘Navneeet’, Kunal’s ‘Makkhan’, Shalini’s ‘Bobbetty Bob’, her mother’s ‘Kiran”… is now no more.

On the foreboding evening of June 08, 2009, she decided to go astray to a hopefully heavenly abode.

The grief of her sudden demise is immense, though smiling memories from the past aplenty. This could be a sad entry, but the intent is to celebrate her life that she shared with all of us. She gave a piece of her honest heart to all her friends – be it loyalty, ”confidentiality”, secrets, giggles or just plain arbit banter, Navneet will always be the most special friend to all her friends.

It was the singleness of her character that may put you off when you meet her at first – and it is the singleness of her character that makes you fall in love with her later. I lived with her for a long time; from awkward days of ”getting to know each other” to days of absolute intimacy when we’ve cried together, I’ve had my ups and downs with her and we withstood the test of friendship at several levels. It was she who finally made me realize that relationships needn’t be  hunky dory all the time – they have their bad moments and to rise above them and unite again is what friendship is all about. I had those moments and she knew it and vice versa.

I owe her enough to live my life by the rules of Ms Navneet Wasu. Our crazy bike rides in the dead of the night and our endless chats that would hop, skip and jump from serious intense issues to Bollywood gossip and relationship problems… I am going to miss her phone number to be dialed FIRST everytime I ‘had’ to talk…

She also, by the way, is the reason why I take whatever little decisions I do – if not for her, I wouldn’t even think of doing so many things that I did! “Shubha, you are a grown up now, do you mind standing up for yourself for once!!!” And I  secretly agreed, almost every time.

One of my favourite memories with Nav is when we decided to go to Nandi Hills on a hot May afternoon. Please see that Navneet’s bike was then 14 years old and was a moody, old thing. Well, two girls, ‘hoping’ to get back home all safe n sound, left for one of the most memorable rides of their lives. From being followed by random, cheap men to clicking ”interesting” pictures pretending to be Ansel Adams, Nandi Hills trip, as weird as it may sound, remains one of the best ones of my life.

Navneet, for all her upfront attitude and strong opinions was a marsh mellow at heart. Most of all, she was outright genuine. She was my Track Pants girl who gave a damn… riding her bike as if she rules the roads, cracking up and laughing out aloud at random nothings. Introduced me to Harry Potter but was left disappointed as I couldn’t pass the 3rd book. From making delicious ”dal” to egg sandwiches – from eggs on our hair to comparing the shape of our ‘ugly feet’ – from laughing at funnily dressed women to taking dips in guiltless mockery – and from singing aloud on roads with all eyes on us to secretly crying watching “My Best Friend’s Wedding” – Navneet Wasu was my best friend who has given me more and more reasons to smile everyday.

We will move on, the grief will fade away but the void of having a Powerhouse in my life will always stay. Navneet, wherever you are, you better be reading this !

You were going to design my wedding outfit, you were going to dance for the sangeet… You were going to take me to Mondeez in Bombay… you were going to tell me what was bothering you for the last 4 months… You didn’t… Promises broken, conversations left unfinished… places unvisited and secrets undisclosed…empty chambers of possible memories and a smoke that will never cease to be…

...Track Pants Girl forever...

Navneet Wasu – December 2, 1981 – June 08, 2009.

You are gone but the ”drama” left behind is surely here to stay.

I love you, and I miss you, and I hope to God that you are somewhere giggling with the twinkle in your eye just the way I saw you last…

Pleasantville

A few days ago, I was in a bad mood. I was occupied with several issues in my head and was feeling under the weather. Just happened to come across this move on WB channel.

Pleasantville, with the Spiderman Tobey Macguire, Reese Witherspoon and various other actors, for the sheer lack of adjectives, is a very interesting movie. It points at ‘breaking away’ from the mundane and free yourselves to surpass the age old rigid concepts of life.

As immature-ish as it sounds, the movie begins with David (Tobey) and Jeniffer (Reese) being transported in a TV. A 1950 sitcom pulls them in and they end up in a Black and White world which runs, well, almost perfectly. The duo start to break away from the strict rules of Pleasantville, causing initial disharmony which transforms into a revolution amongst the citizens of Pleasantville. Self-realisations with reignited desires to adopt the changing environment, makes the people at Pleasantville bold and rebellious.

The point of the movie is simple, and is simply put as well. All characters living in a grey world realise that it is not the world that can change them – the basic instinct to adapt to newer situations is inherent.

I really liked the movie, though I am not sure if I can vouch for it as one of my favourites.

If you get your hands on it, do watch it on a dull Saturday evening.

Twilight

I am pretty certain many girls liked this one – you know, the whole ‘almost perfect’ guy charm thing that gives you jitters when you are, what, 16?

Twilight, a ‘love story’ of a different sort, has actors who are bad at their jobs and a plot that is scarcely interesting. The ‘perfect’ guy with great powers, amazing sense of speed and a body which is dripping with oomph, has one flaw. Uhm, he is a vampire.

If you are expecting a classic kind of stuff here, run backwards. Though if you are bored to death and have nothing else to do, maybe you should start a collection of ‘World’s Worst Movies Ever’, with this first on list.

I saw it around two weeks ago, and I still can’t figure out the intention of the movie. Nah, a strict big NO.

The Color Purple

 

I had no clue about this movie till a friend introduced me to it. I was a little apprehensive before, but the first shot of the movie put my worries at rest. The Color Purple – a Steven Spielberg movie is yet another piece of cinema that you shouldn’t miss.

The plot revolves around two sisters – Celie and Nettie. Celie, played by Whoopi Goldberg, is a simple, unattractive woman forced into marrying Mister who ill treats her all her life. The one person who loves her is her sister Nettie, who her husband initially wished to marry. For various reasons, the sisters are separated. Nettie was the attractive, confident, educated little sister who taught Celie how to read and write. While parting, Nettie promises Celie that she will write to her, unless death does them apart.

Celie awaits her letters, but in vain. Life is dull and aimless and Mister’s behaviour towards Celie does not improve. The worst happens when he brings home, a woman he loves and adores and literally worships! Shug Avery – an enchanting dark woman, played by Margaret Avery, is gorgeous and has a spell on everybody.

At first you would think that Celie is going to have a tough time with ‘another’ woman in her own house, but the movie takes a turn and the plot becomes extremely interesting. Even though Celie is the central character in the movie, the importance of her role comes into play only after Shug comes home.

It is a beautiful movie with funny, sad, depressing and heart wrenching moments. Goldberg has done a tremendous job and should really have won the Oscar for this role. Oprah Winfrey who acts as Sofia in the movie demands a standing ovation for her performance.

An Afro-American setup,  perfectshots, simple yet strong dialogues, stunning performances… as a woman, you empathise with the characters in the plot and can understand the plight of women across the world. Though it is subtle yet hard-hitting, the movie leaves you with a happy tear in your eye.

Must watch!

Movies!

My constant effort to write immediately after watching a movie fails more often than not – it could be the lack of ‘enough’ enthusiasm or sheer internet connectivity at home, I don’t like it. Last month I watched Elegy and The Reader and wanted to write about them almost instantly, but here I am, making a comeback after 15 days… Now as I write, I hope to God that I can do justice to my thoughts about the movies that I felt *that* time.

Elegy, a sweet touching love story between an ageing professor and his gorgeous student may initially seem like a familiar piece, but the movie has been dealt with much sincerity, thought, maturity and class.  Penelope Cruz at her best with Ben Kingsley’s appropriate contribution, the movie is beautiful and leaves you with a no bad taste in your mouth. The background score is soothing and goes well with the theme of the movie. It’s amazing how Penelope Cruz manages to deliver such fine acting – she is simply superb! Another thing I liked about the movie was Ben Kingsley’s relationship with his best friend – at that age, when you’re all grey and your knees hurt from walking, a ‘buddy’ in the real sense can actually make it all worthwhile. Good movie, must watch.

Kate Winslet starrer The Reader (also fetched her the Oscar!), is another love story with a difference. An ex-Nazi lady, a torrid affair with a 16 year old and then a bond that is seasoned over the years. At first I was repulsed by the sheer idea of the plot, but as the movie unfolded, I saw myself hooked onto it.  How far can you go to protect a secret? Well, a love story above all odds, I loved the movie! The emotions are complex and intense and even though the plot comes across as morally incorrect, in the bigger picture of life, it is plain beautiful. Acting and dialogues are of supreme quality and the overall plot rather heart wrenching. The movie is sweet and bitter all at the same time. More than anything else, I like the title of the movie – The Reader – which is apt and convincing.

Two simple love stories packaged very differently, these also go under my non-existing Strong Recommendations list!

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I also saw Apocalypse Now – an epic war movie set in the times of Vietnam War – is one of the best examples of fine cinema. It takes a constant commitment from the viewer to pay attention to the fine details of the movie. Be it the dialogues, the plot, acting, cinematography or just the feel of the movie, the film is a class apart. Marlon Brando as usual, at his best with Martin Sheen’s undoubted performance, Apocalypse Now is heavy and thought provoking. On a common day, I would not watch something that involves so much gore and bloodshed, but I am glad for that one Sunday afternoon.

BTW, even O’ Brother Where Art Thou is quite a funny movie – not to forget mentioning Mr George – Hot – Clooney’s hair obsession in the movie.

State of the mind? Restless

Weather? HOT

Song? Ye meri kahani…

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