When I stepped out of a Manhattan theatre after watching “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna” , I was eager to see the audience’s reaction to one of the most anticipated movie of this year. I stood quietly next to a pillar, perked up my ears and listened in on a conversation taking place between couple of middle-aged aunties. Then I heard the not-so-merry views of some desi-gals. No! I did not spend an entire evening standing outside, it’s just that I was waiting for a friend who had gone to the toilet and apparently the queue was very long (reason - no interval during the movie).

Anyway, getting back to the topic from what I understood people either really liked the movie or really hated it. As for me, I would put myself in the first category. Now don’t be shocked, I have my reasons. Agree the acting was lame, the direction was flawed but one cannot detest the underlying thought behind the movie i.e. Falling in love with another after marriage.

One may argue that this was not the first of its kind movie in Bollywood and that there have been numerous successful and accepted movies on the same topic. However one must also look at the differences between those movies and Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna”. One of most successful film based on extramarital affair in the past was Mahesh Bhatt’s “Arth”. Everything was commendable in this movie however in spite of its brilliance it was termed more as an ‘Art’ movie rather than a commercial Bollywood cinema. And therefore in a way was watched by only a certain section of the society.

From the recent times, film “Murder” (also based on love-ties after marriage) unlike “Arth” was a huge box-office hit. Obviously many other reasons contributed to its success, namely the lovemaking scenes. However just like your typical Hindi drama, the woman accepts her affair as a mistake and with that guilt goes back to her husband.

But when you compare the story line of the mentioned three movies, “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna” indeed stands apart.

Click here to continue reading ‘On Affairs and Extra Marital Affairs’

Our Indian Entertainment Industry is often blamed for lifting or copying (for some its inspiration) music, movies, scripts, etc. from the International circuit. Though most of the times they are correctly blamed there are however some of them who are falsely accused.

This guy is one of them.

America’s top Rap artiste 50 Cent climbed the popularity charts with his raunchy song, “Candy Shop”, featuring another artiste Olivia. This song went on to become one of the most played songs on radios and nightclubs across the globe. And not to forget the moolah it brought in for the production house.

But wait…

There is a well-kept secret (not anymore) that the actual composer of this smash hit is an Indian. Yes, an Indian and the original song was infact based on a ‘Ladoo Shop’ in South Hall. Story goes that 50 Cent loved the song so much that he bought it off the un-known Indian by trading in one of his gold tooth.

I know you don’t believe me. Fine then look at the proof.

Click here to continue reading ‘The Ladoo Shop’

I would say that my 6 weeks vacation was exactly what one would envy (barring the un-healthy experience at the end). Now when I look back at it, it’s a bit of an achievement with the number of cities I walked thru during my holidays.

Some considered my trip to be pretty clustered up but to me it was just perfect. I firmly believe that life is full of shocks and surprises and I experienced both in a span of two days. The shock bit occurred during my flight back home and the unexpected surprise just a day before.

For those who know me well enough can easily vouch on my fascination and obsession with the Entertainment Industry. Be it Hollywood, Bollywood or Tellywood; I love them all. So for me meeting this particular person was like adding a fresh layer of cream on my already delicious Blueberry Cheesecake.

On my second last day in London city, I along with my two cousins and my best friend went to South Woodford to meet up with my friend’s cousin. When we were about to leave, my friend’s cousin proudly informed us that his neighbors were the folks from the Britain’s Desi laugh riot series called ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ and then he pointed his finger towards their house. Sanjeev Bhaskar and his wife and fellow actress Meera Syal were his neighborhood buddies.

In the past few years I am sure many you out there must have heard about mind-boggling incidents that take place between up-there and down-here, I mean during National or International flights.

The most astonishing ones (in my opinion) are the ones that involve some sort of sexual escapades, for example a man grabbing his fellow female passenger’s breast while she was asleep or a couple caught making out in flight toilet. But frankly speaking I always thought these stories were never entirely true and were in most cases beefed up by the media. I mean who in their decent frame of mind would think of fondling his/her own or someone else’s private body parts in front of 70-80 strangers. However an incident couple of days back during my flight from London shockingly made me realize that Yes! Perverts don’t stop anywhere.

Here is my story.

I was waiting at Gate 9 of Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport. My flight was delayed by an hour due to some security procedures. The area outside Gate 9 was packed with Indians; not surprising since the flight was from London to Mumbai. Some aunties were busy chabbering with one another, one bragging about her son and the other complaining about London’s depressing weather.

Couple of seats from where I had parked my aching legs were two middle-aged men. They were like just your average looking Ram and Shyam but something about them gave me a creepy feeling. However the book I was reading was far creepier than them and helped me completely ignore their presence.

And they say we have no talent.

Have you met the Lungi Man?

Yes, sadly I am on my way back to India and to be frank it’s really depressing. I reached the airport at 11.00 am with my best friend who was to catch the 1.40 pm flight back to new York. After 6 weeks of being practically together for 24 hours, I had to bid her goodbye. Ah! It was painful, really painful. Once checked in and bucket loads of tears, we parted ways (only for now).

Then I met up with my cousin and her best friend who were to take the 5.00 pm flight back to New Delhi. And yes, once again I stood in the check in line with them just to see them leave me behind also.

Have already spent 20 pounds or so at Starbucks and Internet booth. Sadly this airport does not provide free Wi-Fi service. Anyway so here I am waiting or more accurately crying my time away till I board my 11.00 pm flight for Mumbai.

Just one thing, why do good things end with a blink?

Signing off depressed….very depressed.