The Darling: A recommended Story

Recommended stories generally have another hidden story behind it. And if it is recommended by someone who loves or cares for you , the pleasure, curiosity and the mystery is heightened. Darling by Anton Chekhov was such a recommended story by a dear friend. I thank that 'anonymous' friend who anonymously illumined my life.

The story, Darling had an enormous effect on my whole being. It touched the emotional chord and left imprints on my mind. Olienka , the protagonist, who is a darling for everyone that comes in her life, is definitely not me in some cases. For example, I am affected but no so much by his opinions whom I love to such an extent that I would fail to relate myself to those things once he is gone from my life. I am not very enthusiastic to wear other's opinions. But yes she is me, or I am her when it comes to falling in love. For Olienka , Love is the source of life-energy. Love gives meaning to life. Without love what one is but a withered flower. For Olienka , Love meant loving a human heart. She would not love her cat who tries to rubs away her loneliness. But Love definitely is not confined to physical needs. It transcends the limits of physical love and even emotional and strives to attain the meaning of life.

The most awfully poignant dialogue of the story is : " How awful it is not to have opinions !"

How a little of her heart is revealed towards the end and the story touches us deeply.

The story was among the most complete and satisfying stories I have read till now. The Long Exile by Tolstoy and The Last leaf by O Henry are two other stories that have touched me immensely. But as I said, recommended story has another flavor in it, you need to savor , the taste of love in it.

Rockstar : Not a Guide to become One

The window of the movie opened to a green meadow but the scene soon shifts to the cacophony of erratic old mohalla of an old Indian city. I think I had expected a lot. While watching the movie, the thing I missed most was the two  novels, Wuthering Heights and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Though I haven't read or watched the later one but all I mean by referring to such works is the movie is superficial. It couldn't reach to the core of its themes.

The thing that marred the originality and sincerity of the movie was that Ranbir Kapoor was sounding like Ranveer Singh of Band Baja Barat. Due to this factor, the movie at time seems seemed to overlap with Band Baja Barat. The western thought and serious themes which it strives to present is overshadowed by the foisted Indianness.


The conflict of the movie shifts from "making of an artist" to "falling in love". And here's the whole problem lies. If you think the movie is about how to be a Rockstar, you are wrong. As juvenile Indian youth might take the message that to be a great artist you need to have a broken heart, which is not a fact and of course can't be imposed on life. 


Another fact that mars the beauty of movie is the artificiality of Nargis. But I would really commend her at times when she is really able to present the conflict between heart and mind. I just wish the dialogues were more polished.


From another point of view, the movie is an excellent critique of the myth of getting fame after broken heart. Towards the end, after experiencing life, Jordan says, "Nahi ban.na mujhey bada insaan. Mera dil nahi tutna chahiye." But the only dialogue that is a jewel of the movie is, "pata hai....yahan se bahut door galat aur sahi ke pare ek maidan hai , wahan milunga main tujhe". This takes me back to the cardinal theme of  Wuthering Heights - Few things are beyond morality and immorality, they are Amoral.
 
... ... The song "Sadda Haq" has touched many souls just because everyone feels the same thing "auron ka mujh per mujhse bhi jyada haq hai"... And this takes me back to the Rousseau, "Man was born free but he is everywhere in chains." So a new come back of Angry Young Man in Bollywood?  


But go a little off the track and you can create the Happiness. That's what they try to do, Jordan and  Nargis. "Ye hamari duniya hai, yahan na journalists hain na camera, na doctors na hospital, na court cases..." Happiness can be created, and you really don't need to be a Rockstar for that, just a star of someone's eyes.