Missing the good times. Anyway, Happy Halloween.

A good friend writes,

The movie was a treat for the senses. The background music, sound design, camerawork, special effects - all worked towards narrating the idea. Nope, I cannot make myself say I saw a story; it was a visual description of an idea - a ‘what if…?’ Such cinema might not be the proverbial “everyone’s cup of tea.

And she couldn’t be more correct. Anurag Kashyap’s hyped up most awaited release is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea – it’s actually not anyone’s cup of tea. Coming to think of it, it’s not even a cup of tea, coffee, Breezer or thanda. It’s in fact a stylish, empty but yet stinking ashtray.

Now don’t get me wrong here, if you have been reading this blog for long then you would surely know how tolerant I am of Indian cinema. Despite umpteen warnings, I still did watch (and in some cases even enjoyed) films like Meenaxi, Abhay, RVG Ki Aag, Being Cyrus and the likes. But No Smoking simply stands out – Yes, it’s a dark film. Yes, it treads on the European experimental lines. And yes, it’s a “hatke” film but the problem here is that it is so “hatke” that audience (if any left) ka dimaag satak jayega.

Click here to continue reading ‘Review No Smoking – Injurious to Head’

Not been feeling too great since yesterday – stomach upset, cold feet, slight fever and really excruciating headache. But here I am, sitting on my lousy office chair crunching numbers in tons of excel sheets and what’s even more annoying is fact that I am doing someone else’s job. Dear friends have been bearing the brunt of my touchiness but kya kare, I can’t afford to bunk work. If I sit at home claiming to be sick then my bhratashiri with most certainty would be the happiest man to see that I not move a step out of the house this entire weekend.

So yeah, like you…me too live for the weekend. And the coming Friday is definitely very crucial for all Bollywood fans with the releasing of two very hyped-up Hindi Films; ex-couple Shahid Kapur and Kareena Kapoor starrer Jab We Met and writer-director Anurag Kashyap’s first uncontroversial release No Smoking, starring the expression-less John Abraham.

The no. 1 in my list from these two films is No Smoking. Nope and it’s not because my love for Mr. Abraham has taken a jump ten notches higher, it’s just that a close friend has won 5 tickets for Jab We Met screening at a suburban multiplex on Sunday. And so why not take the luft of some free ka maal pani.

Anyway here’s a look at the two films (what’s good and what’s not) pitted against each other in this week’s Box-Office battle.

Click here to continue reading ‘Friday Releases And Related Goss’

Since the time I wrote this post, I have been receiving quite a few mails enquiring about Spike’s health. And so here is a follow-up post.

Last Friday, the visit to the Vet proved satisfactory. As per the Blood Test Report - WBC count is back to usual and the tic-parasite is no longer visible. Although the hemoglobin count was still on the borderline but then with one more week of juicy Rasgulas left, with most certainty even that will be back to normal.

On the other hand his diet has also improved but unfortunately not his grumpy nature.

Anyway, would like end by thanking you all for caring and sending across your best wishes. Believe me, we needed them. So yeah, thank you!

Ps….Things are going great on the two-wheeler front as well. I will be receiving my bike license in November 1st week and once I do so - it will only be Scooty all the way to work.

The name’s Reddy.TVS Reddy.

Okay, I apologize for using one of the most cliched filmy dialogues but really I have been practically waiting all my blogging life for this very moment - Ah! The simple joys of life.

Anyway, getting back to today’s topic of discussion; have you ever done something whacky and totally out of your character? I mean, on the lines of where you wake up one morning and decide to act on a randomly strange thought. Well I just committed my second-most bizarre crime couple of days back with the purchase of 2003 model TVS Scooty. The first one being back in 11^th grade, when I practically sprinted in heavy downfall just to buy a Cadbury five-star bar for that special someone and in that attempt managed to sprain my ankle by slipping in the college corridor (don’t looked all shocked re, I too can be all lovey-shovey).

Click here to continue reading ‘Reddy, My Mean Machine.’

Bollywood – strange place na. Some people put in their heart & soul and still are not able to climb the stardom ladder. And on the other hand we witness, new faces being tagged with celebrity status with their very first appearance. As it is often said "Out of sight, out of mind" - the very people who couldn’t get enough of you once upon a time, today don’t have few minutes to spare on you. Mind you, this not only happens to be the story of one-time actors but sadly, some yesteryear’s superstars as well.

I mean not everyone can boast of a filmy career graph as Amitabh Bachchan or be blessed with strong family support as Dharmendra paaji or be the head of India’s leading Tele-Production house, all thanks to his enterprising daughter. Today many of these past idols either earn a living by doing cameo roles in films/television shows or work behind the scenes. Some have completely given up the glamour business, while placing more importance on the family-time, which they couldn’t during their hay days.

And then you read about legendary megastars, someone like Rajesh Khanna and you can’t help but wonder what a real bitch life can be. I remember my mum fondly talking about those Rajesh Khanna frenzy days - how she and her gals bunked classes to watch his films, just his smile would melt the hearts of thousands of women, his pairing with actress Mumtaz was a sure-hit formula, his off-beat dancing style and above all his greatest performance in the film, Anand.

Click here to continue reading ‘Rajesh Khanna – Missing the Babu Mushai Days.’