mere paas 'PAA' hai

When I first saw the trailer of the movie, I was a bit surprised as to why BigB's get-up was made to resemble a zoozoo. That bulbous head was a bit of a turn-off. But on further read-up I found that the character was suffering from a rare ageing disorder called 'progeria'

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCCk8VZaEb0&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

The word is now out that the movie is inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's movie called 'Jack' which starred Robin Williams. Here too, smallB is married to Vidya Balan and they give birth to a baby who suffers from genetic disorder. Enter BigB, a kid who ages at four or five times the pace at which normal humans age. So, at age of 10 he would look 50.

But unlike 'Jack', where Robin Williams longed to live a normal life, earn his pride and place in society and graduate from college just as Rani Mukherjee did in 'Black', this movie is very different. Only the premise of the rare disorder is the common thing between 'Paa' and 'Jack' but both movies have been taken to different logical conclusions.

This disorder can throw new light on the research of ageing, to find factors as to how and why people age. Hayley Okines, in 1999, was diagnosed to be having this condition and she spread the awareness. Just as TZP created huge awareness about dyslexia, hopefully this movie will do the same to progeria.

Wish all the best to the movie makers that it does well. Special wishes and prayers to Amitabh Bachchan, as he is producing the movie under ABCL banner. More power to him, amen! And hoping to see some great acting from the father-son duo, who play a father-son relationship, but its reversed role-play. Cheers!

Lessons To Learn From Noah's Ark Experience

• Don't miss the boat. 
• Remember that we are all in the same boat! 
• Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
•  Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
• Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. 
• Build your future on high ground. 
• For safety's sake, travel in pairs. 
• Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. 
• When you're stressed, float awhile. 
• Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. 
• No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

no flowers in the city of love ...

If  Taj Mahal is the ultimate symbol of love, then I take it that Agra represents the city of love as it houses the great Taj. Now that 'city of love' is all explained for, let me get to the 'no flowers' part.

We were on a short trip to Agra, sometime last week, obviously to see the Taj. We drove down from Delhi to Agra via Vrindavan and Mathura. Two short halts at both the religious sites was a fine experience and it also meant that we would be reaching Agra by late evening. We saw the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura and the Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan. It was a rainy day and the streets were all slushy, we had to use hand-pulled rickshaws to move around the narrow streets of the temple town. I abhor hand-ricksahws, its such a cruelty to a fellow human inflicted by another, all in the name of rozi-roti. Anyways, we moved on and drove towards Agra.

By the time we reached Agra, it was 7pm. The plan was to see Taj next day morning. The night stay was on invitation by an ex-army man's family who had arranged for it, as a sweet gesture of our first visit to Agra. We thought it prudent on our part to at least carry a buoquet and greet the receptive family with flowers.

That's where our quest started for a buoquet store or a flower shop or a florist. But alas! we could not find a single one. We got down at sadar bazar and looked for it frantically, but could not get a single stem of flower, forget a buoquet. All kinds of thoughts ran in my mind, what would uncle think of us? It would be really strange to land-up at their place empty handed. They were diabetic, so sweets were out of question. Being an ex-army man, uncle was used to being greeted with flowers on every occasion. And that was what we were not able to find.

We stopped at half a dozen places and asked people around for florists but no one could guide us to any flower store. It was a rainy day and we had a tough time in Mathura and Vrindavan, but the rain followed us to Agra as well. Time was running out, so we just got back into the car and drove to the house where we were greetd by the couple.

After enquiring about our trip, we sat for some coffee and snacks. We unabashedly told them that we were sorry for landing up empty-handed. We tried to explain that we looked for a buoquet, but could not find a single florist in the entire Agra Cantt area. That's when uncle intervened and told us that flowers are not easily availbale in Agra. He went on to tell that whenever they had to attend some fucntion or a marriage, they would start looking out for flowers 2-3 days prior to the occasion. We heaved a sigh of relief.

But the question is still siwrling in my mind. Why no flowers in Agra? Don't people get married? Don't guys propose girls anymore and vice-versa? Don't people decorate their vase with flowers in the house?

I see a tremendous scope for a florist or a flower shop in this part of the world. All florists, please head to Agra and put up a few stalls at least near Taj, if not anywhere else.

We did see the glorious Taj, the next day. It was as beautifual as I had imagined it would be and as seen in movies and pics. Our trip was great, but there is still a rankle in my heart. Only if we could have found a buoquet too!

friendship is not about ... its about ...

Friendship is not about "I m sorry"
 its about "abbe  teri  galti hai"
 
Friendship is not about "Get well soon"
 its about "itna piyega toh yehi hoga"
 
Friendship is not about "I love that girl"
 its about "saalo... izzat se dekho tumhari bhabhi hai"

Friendship is not about "I am there for u" or "I missed u
 its about "kahan marr gaya tha ... saale"

Friendship is not about "I understand"
 its about "sab teri wajah se hua manhoos"

Friendship is not about "I care for u"
 its about "kaminey... tujhe chhod ke kahan jaoonga

Friendship is not about "I am happy for your success"
 its about "chal party de saale"

Friendship is not about "Are u coming for outing tomorrow
 its about "nautanki matt kar, hum kal bahar ja rahe hain"
 
Friendship is not about "All the best for ur career"
 its about "bahut hua, abhi toh switch maar saale"

Jeevan Ek Sanghursh : Dede Mera Dede Tu Bees Rupaiya

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLfQbRsDY34&hl=en_US&fs=1&]

filmfare awards 2009 … bucking the trend

Finally, sanity is being restored, or at least an effort is being made to do so, in the 54th Filmfare Awards. I was so glad to see movies like Rock On, OLLO and MMJ winning, and movies like RNBDJ and Dostana taking a backseat. Although the nominations were a little fuzzy[some categories had 5 nominations and some had 6, just to please a few people I guess], but given the limited scope of the nominations, most of the awards were well deserved.

Let me start with the Lifetime Achievment Award section. Bhanu Athaiya was a very good choice, especially because costume designers have never really been given their due. In fact, the Best Costume Design category was introduced so late, in 1994, only after seeing what Manish Malhotra’s costume did to Urmila Matondkar; from a demure girl next door he turned her into a sex symbol overnight. Back to Bhanu, she won the Oscar for Gandhi[1982] and that’s been her greatest achievement till date. But considering her work in Bollywood, she did a good job in Lagaan, Swades,1942ALS, Chandni and Razia Sultan. Her list of work shows her predilection and brilliance for period dramas where she has a fantastic sense of color, fabric and designing.
Om Puri being awarded this, ahead of Naseeruddin Shah, that was a bit of a disappointment. I think they should have been awarded together at least. These two giants of the arthouse cinema in the 1980’s did some terrific work. They have not been given enough credit, but this award is probably a way of doing so.

Coming to the Critics Award, Shahana Goswami was deserving of it. Her work in Rock On was awesome, her raw talent and the spontaneous expressions shone through very well. But at the same time, Manjot Singh for OLLO was not a very good choice in my opinion. In fact, Paresh Rawal and Abhay Deol deserved it more than Manjot. And outside ofOLLO, Paresh Rawal for MMJ or Naseer for A Wednesday would have been a much better choice. Nishikant Kamat forMMJ was again a good pick, but I don’t understand this Special Jury Mention for Prateik Babbar and Purab Kohli. What does this award mean? And why Prateik Babbar?? For slouching on the couch, being untidy, and having the foresight that Sushant Modi[Ayaz Khan] is not the right guy for his sis?? And Purab Kohli! He had nothing to lose in Rock On, he was just caught in-between Arjun Rampal and Farhan Akhtar’s ego clash. When they called the band off, he happily joined his dad’s business; when the band was reinstated he started driving around in the SUV once more. He was happy either ways and did not help further the cause of the story.

Talking about stories, Best Story for Rock On was a little surprising. Lots of films in 2008 had amazing stories to tell, like Aamir, A Wednesday, MMJ. I kept cosoling myself that Dostana and Ghajini did not win it. Best Screenplay was awarded to MMJ and Best Dialogues to OLLO and I had no complains with it.

In the techincal awards section, two awards that I didn’t agree at all are Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction. I thought OLLO was shot on location, so where was the Production Design. And the costumes looked like everyday stuff, jogging suits, sneakers, waist-coats, casual wear. In fact, Jodha-Akbar deserved both these awards, for the elaborate sets and the intricate jewellery and costumes. I would like it if someone can explain this to me.

I was happy with all other awards, like Best Cinematography and Sound Design for Rock On, Best Editing went toMMJ, it could have gone to A Wednesday or Aamir too[except for the dragged last 20 mins]; and I cared less for Best Choregraphy, Best Action and Best Visual Effects where the winners were Pappu Can’t Dance Saala, Ghajini andLovestory 2050, respectively.

I was totally ok with the debut award for male, being shared by both Farhan Akhtar and Imran Khan; similarly the female debut award should have been shared by Asin and Anushka Sharma, instead Asin took it home.

Arjun Rampal for Best Supporting Actor was good, but Kangana Ranaut for Best Supporting Actress was unexpected and undeserved. Shahana Goswami for Rock On or  Ratna Pathak for JTYJN would have been a much better choice. The problem with Kangana’s performance is that, she is unidimensional and has no range. Give her such a role, and 9 out of 10 times, she will just sleep-walk through it like in Life…In A Metro or Gangster or Woh Lamhe.

Music awards were doled out pretty judiciously. Sukhwinder Singh for Haule Haule and Shreya Ghosal for Teri Orewere really good choices. For the award of Best Music Director, I am sure it must have been a close fight betweenShankar-Ehsaan-Loy who produced some great score for Rock On and ARR who was also competing against himself with 3 nominations. But, ARR winning for JTYJN did not go down well, I shall consider this as an award for all the good work Rahman did in 2008, i.e., Jodha-Akbar and Ghajini included. And ARR for Best Background score of Jodha Akbar was good news. Regarding the RD Burman award, not sure how this is rewarded, but I think Amit Trivedishould have been awarded. Finally, the lyrics award for Javed Akhtar was also fine for his simple and meaningful words in Jashn-e-bahara.

Talking now about the mainstream awards, no complains about the Best Director and Best Movie. Ashutosh Gowariker did a great deal of research and a lot of hardwork went into Jodha Akbar. There was nobody more deserving than him, in the category. I would like to contest the Best Actor and Best Actress, though. Taking for granted that its more of a popular vote, Hrithik and Priyanka still did not deserve it; they may have won but they were not the best. In fact, newbie Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai did a better job in RNBDJ and Jodha Akbar, repectively. Even if it was popular vote, then Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai should have won.

All said and done, I think the awards were balanced out pretty well. I would any day accept these results than watchRNBDJ/Ghajini/Dostana take away awards and accolades. I would like to see some transparency in the entire process, though. The system should change, at least introduce a jury for popular award and give 50-50 weightage to public votes as well as jury members votes. That way, there will be more clarity in the process.

At the end of the day, good cinema won. At least the awards will help further the cause of independent cinema and meaningful work, and be appreciative and motivational for film-makers who want to tell us new and different stories. And I hope this trend will stay, not just prove to be an abberation. Perhaps, haule-haule se hawa lagti hai …

This post was first published on PFC

national song : vande mataram

here's the national song:

Vande Mataram
Sujalam Suphalam
Malayaja Seetalam
Sasya Shamalaam Mataram
Vande Mataram

Shubra Jyotsnaa
Pulakita Yaminim
Pullakusumita
Drumadala Shobhinim
Subhashinim
Sumadhura Bhashinim
Sukhadaam Varadaam
Mataram
Vande Mataram

Sapta Ko Ti Kan Tha
Kalakalaninaada
Karale Dwisapta Ko Ti Bhujai
Radhr Itakhara Karavaale
Abalaa Keno Maa Eto Bale
Bahubhaladharinim
Namaami Taarinim
Ripudala Varinim
Mataram
Vande Mataram

Tumi Vidyaa, Tumi Dharmaa
Tumi Hridi, Tumi Marma
Tum Hi Pranaah Shariire
Bahute Tumi Maa Shakti
Hridaya Tumi Maa Bhakti
Tomaraa I Pratimaa Gadi
Mandire Mandire

Tvam Hi Durgaa
Dasha Prahara Nadhaarini
Kamala Kamaladala Viharini
Vani Vidhyadayini Namaami Tvam
Namaami Kamalaam,
Amalaam, Atulaam
Sujalaam Suphalaam Mataram
Vande Mataram

Shyamalaam Saralaam
Susmitaam Bhuushitaam
Dharanim Bharanim
Mataram
Vande Mataram

And here is Aurobindo's translation of the song:
Mother, I bow to thee!
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
bright with orchard gleams,
Cool with thy winds of delight,
Dark fields waving Mother of might,
Mother free.

Glory of moonlight dreams,
Over thy branches and lordly streams,
Clad in thy blossoming trees,
Mother, giver of ease
Laughing low and sweet!
Mother I kiss thy feet,
Speaker sweet and low!
Mother, to thee I bow.

Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands
When the sword flesh out in the seventy million hands
And seventy million voices roar
Thy dreadful name from shore to shore?
With many strengths who art mighty and stored,
To thee I call Mother and Lord!
Thou who savest, arise and save!
To her I cry who ever her foeman drove
Back from plain and Sea
And shook herself free.

Thou art wisdom, thou art law,
Thou art heart, our soul, our breath
Thou art love divine, the awe
In our hearts that conquers death.
Thine the strength that nerves the arm,
Thine the beauty, thine the charm.
Every image made divine
In our temples is but thine.

Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen,
With her hands that strike and her
swords of sheen,
Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned,
And the Muse a hundred-toned,
Pure and perfect without peer,
Mother lend thine ear,
Rich with thy hurrying streams,
Bright with thy orchard gleams,
Dark of hue O candid-fair

In thy soul, with jeweled hair
And thy glorious smile divine,
Loveliest of all earthly lands,
Showering wealth from well-stored hands!
Mother, mother mine!
Mother sweet, I bow to thee,
Mother great and free!

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani : Main Tera Dhadkan Teri ... Abb Bacha Kya

aahh its he on the track, lets go
he is sexy sexy

attention!!

rhythm of something dont stop
give' em wht they want n dont stop
lak nu hila de n dont stop
sab ko dekha de yeah dont stop

lak nu hila de n dont stop
you know wht i look my boy he' s so rock!!
go on wht u think u hot star?
dharati hilade laade lishkare
rab nu hila de nachake dikha de tu soniya

main tera dhadkan teri yeh din tere raatein teri
abb bacha kya, abb bacha kya
har ghadi khud se hi main karta rahu main baatein teri
abb bacha kya, abb bacha kya
ishq ka rog hai yeh, aisa jog hai yeh
isase bachane ka abb aasaar najar nahi aata

kuch yaar najar nahi aata, ghar baar najar nahi aata
sansaar najar nahi aata, jab pyaar hota hai

teri chaahato se din shuru, mere rubaru ho tu hi tu
teri soch ho, tera saath ho, abb har ghadi
teri baat mein, teri yaad mein
khoya main rahu, aur yeh kahu
mere saamane teri baat ho abb har ghadi
kabhi kabhi yaari mein, yaar khumari mein
chahe kuch bhi ho dil ke paar najar nahi aata

kuch yaar najar nahi aata, ghar baar najar nahi aata
sansaar najar nahi aata, jab pyaar hota hai

meri aashiqi ka hai sila, meri chaahato ko tu mila
teri mehfile meri manjilein abb ho gayi
tere khwaab hai behisaab hain, teri deed hai meri eid hai
pareshaaniyan aur muskilein sab kho gayi
ishq to jaadu hai bas bekaabu hai
ishq ke jaadu mein kuch dushwaar najar nahi aata

kuch yaar najar nahi aata, ghar baar najar nahi aata
sansaar najar nahi aata, jab pyaar hota hai
main tera dhadkan teri yeh din tere raatein teri
abb bacha kya, abb bacha kya
har ghadi khud se hi main karta rahu main baatein teri
abb bacha kya, abb bacha kya
ishq ka rog hai yeh, aisa jog hai yeh
isase bachane ka abb aasaar najar nahi aata

kuch yaar najar nahi aata, ghar baar najar nahi aata
sansaar najar nahi aata, jab pyaar hota hai

Blue : Yaar Mila Tha

Yaar mila tha saiyaan ek din
Yaar mila tha saiyaan
Aankhon mein sapne dil mein leke
Pyaar mila tha saiyyaan

Kya main karti saiyyan baiyyan
Kya main karti saiyyaan
Teri yaad mein kitni sadiyaan
Aah bharti saiyyan

Aarre kuch toh sharm kar leti
Aab kya kahengi duniya
Kyun uske sang ho li
Us peepal ki chaaiyaan

Socha nikal loon par pallu woh khencha zor se
Bola sandesa hai laaya woh teri aur se

Haaye dil ghayal zakhmi jiya
Kaise jeeye ab tera piya

Maar diya dulhaniya tu ne
Maar diya dulhaniya
Jeete jee apne saiyaan ko
Maar diya dulhaniya

Yaar mila tha saiyaan ek din
Yaar mila tha saiyaan

Hai kusoor kya mera
Batana yu sata main
Teri raah takti thi

Raah takti thi to khafa
Ho gayi thi tu ya bewafa
Ke panghat pe
Ghoonghat ke bina
Jaa baithi kaise tu woh bhi mere bina
Usi panghat pe
Jahan jhat se
Pehli baar thaami thi maine
Teri kalayi
Harjayi
Jahan dhoop se hum bache the
Jahan Nache the
Apne kadam
Aur besharam woh kalayi tu thama ke aayi
Haathon mein na jaane
Kis khotte ke
Kis potte ke
Mere hote se par sote se

Ooooo
Par tu ne hi to usse bheja na?
Ooooo
Ke mera pyaar piya ko dejana

Ohhoo hhohoo

Yaar bulaya saiyaan
Maine yaar bulaya saiyaan
Bhooli saari duniya
Jab ek baar bulaya saiyaan

Toh a gale dulhaniya
Lag jaa a gale dulhaniya
Dhekh ke aapni yaari duniya
Laakh jale dulhaniya

Yaar bulaya saiyaan
Lag jaa a gale dulhaniya
Bhooli saari duniya
Duniya laakh jale dulhaniya

Arre teri waffa ke kisse
Ab ga rahi hai duniya
Har maa kahe bete se
La aise dulhaniya

Haay dil ghayal zakhami jiya
Jeeye bas jeeye ab mera piya

Blue : Chiggy Wiggy

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLUpxfEIM1s&hl=en&fs=1&]

Every Man who ever sees me wants to hold my hand

And be the one who gets me to say oh i do they
Swear eternal undying devotion yes they swear
That they will love me forever love me true

But i dont need a shining star
And i dont wanna be rescued
No neither fron nor charming prince
Nor my summers barbequed

I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you feilla
Just chiggy-wiggy with you baby

I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you feilla
Just chiggy-wiggy with you baby

Freeeee your mind
Free ee ee is the way to live it up
Free ee eeto go
Free eee ee if i dont wanna give it up
Free ee e to groove
The dance floors where i wanna be
Free ee ee to move
White picket fences frighten me

I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you feilla
Just chiggy-wiggy with you baby

Aa aah dont want talker
Aa aah dont need repartee
Aa aah dont need a future

I just like to party

Aa aah forget tomarow
aa my feeet are tapping
Aa aah why dont you get it
Why wont you let it happen

Say you'll never go never ever go
Down upon on your knees

Say you'll never say
Never ever say
Baby marry me pleasee e e e eeees

I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you feilla
Aaaah ahahhh chiggy-wiggy with you baby

Hey hey heyyy heyy
Gore!
Baby!

Khatoon ki khidmat mein khiladi ki hai khwaish
Qaatil yeh adaayein qaatilana yeh numaish

Kar le chiggy wiggy mere sang soniye
Kar chiggy wiggy mere sang jaaaniye
Kar le chiggy wiggy sang sang heeriye
Chiggy wiggy
Chiggy wiggy
Chiggy wiggy
Kar le chiggy wiggy mere sang soniye
Kar chiggy wiggy mere sang jaaaniye
Kar le chiggy wiggy sang sang heeriye

I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy

Tera husn hai rehmat ya ghazab
Tere ishq ibaadat ya khata

I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you fella
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you Fella

Tera husn hai rehmat ya ghazab
Tere ishq ibaadat ya khata
Tu kahe to tere sang sang zindagi
ya guzaroon aaj ki raat raat

Tu kahe to din
Tu keh de to shaam
Tu jo kahe woh sach
Jo tu kahe wohi mera naam naam

Kar le chiggy wiggy mere sang soniye
Kar chiggy wiggy mere sang jaaaniye
Kar le chiggy wiggy sang sang heeriye
Chiggy wiggy
Chiggy wiggy
Chiggy wiggy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy
I wanna chiggy-wiggy with you boy

Ho ho
Chiggy wiggy ho thoda chiggy wiggy
oh sun haal dil ka
Oh aaja chiggy wiggy
Oh kar chiggy wiggy
Oh kyun soche kal ka

oh aja chiggy wiggy
Oh thoda chiggy wiggy
sun haal dil ka
Oh aaja chiggy wiggy
oh come on chiggy wiggy
Oh kyun soche kal ki baat baat