My mom is my idol, my First Expert !

It is said, after a girl gets married she comes closer to her own mother. It is very true in my case. I now realize what it is to be a daughter-in-law, a wife (though yet to realize the feeling of motherhood) and how my mother played all roles so well. My mother is not only my mentor, my guide but my expert and my idol.

After my marriage my life has become quite poetic. Living the present, dreaming the future, I try to arrange the memories of my lost days. Many a times I am tuned with my past and lost into the memories of mischievous games, excitement of teenage and regretful mistakes. Around that time, my parents had begun to seem like Enemies to me. I could leave anything and anyone for my friends. And there came a day, when I had almost decided to run away. 

Parents always know what is going in your life, no matter how much smart you think of yourself. I don't know how my father had reacted about my teen-rebellious-behavior because he would always poke my mother in private than talk to me in person. And my mother, well , she knew how to handle me. She never asked me anything, never became a detective-mother, never scolded or infringed my privacy. At home there was enough personal freedom for everyone.

I wonder how much my mother had trusted that I would discover the way she had chosen for me. Isn't it the way of God? Wait and wait more, Trust and trust more, Pray and pray more , this was my mother's way of upbringing us.

Today I am happily married, living in a joint family and playing all roles successfully. Perhaps now my parents are happy, specially my mother whom I have already hurt so much. If it were not her safe and tender handling of my strange attitude of teenage, I would not be having this beautiful future.
My mother is my First and perhaps last Expert. I want to be the same kind of Mother to my children. 
I love you Mom.

image source: www.hyattmoore.com

P.S. By the way, since then my parents have also changed a lot. My mom who never went to parlour earlier has begun to go and in fact both mom and dad have started to color their hairs. Credit goes to me and my wedding. (Laugh out Loud :D ) Little sacrifices make a perfect happy family !
Add a little color in your family too with Godrej Expert -  http://godrejexpert.com/single_used_pack.php .

15 Park Avenue : Shocking Insights of Schizophrenia

I am totally surprised to watch 15 Park Avenue a filmby Arpana Sen. The movie has received National Film Award in 2005. I love off-beat cinema and specially movies of Konkona Sen and Rahul Bose. Some days back I had watched Before the Rains , again a Rahul Bose movie but 15 Park Avenue has come like a surprise. Because I was already pondering upon the psychological disease Schizophrenia, and the movie is about the same disease.


Konkona (Mitali) suffers from Schizophrenia. Since childhood she is affected to some extent with this disease but after a rape incident she is totally taken by it. She lives in her imaginary world where is married and has 5 children. The movie begins at the scene where she is looking for her home at 15 Park Avenue and the movie ends with the same scene.

It is difficult to decidewhat themovie is about. Some has tagged it as a Rape movie, another point was Sister relationship between Shabana Azmi and Konkona Sen but to me it seemed as the disease centered movie which takes you deep into the disease Schizophrenia and let you experience how it happens with the sufferer and with their caretakers.

To me the experience of watching the movie was - I could be the one suffering from Schizophrenia. Because I always knew that I was on the verge of the world of Imagination and Reality. I always wanted to go in the world of imagination because I would not have to responsible for my acts, and I would not have to care at all. But somehow I carried on in the real world and accepted that I am totally Sane. But... the secret that no one would believe is - Sometimes when I am too much stressed and depressed, I feel I am on the verge of it.

If ... if anyone around you is a little bit psycho or Schizophreniac please watch the movie, you can learn a many things. Specially that why and how it happens. Konkona and Shabana are truly fantastically amazing. The psychology is all onto my mind and I think I can't go to sleep without feeling a little bit Schizophreniac.

Watch the movie, and you would know the Indian Cinema is best than anything.

Badlapur - Could be a better movie

Directed by Sri Raghvan, Badlapur has Varun Dhawan in the lead role. After watching the movie I have just one thing in my mind - was it a mixture of a bunch of  bollywood movies? When you watch Badlapur all you feel is Dejavu. The story reminds you of Ek Villain, the part of Yami Gautam reminds Action Jackson and the characters of Huma Qureshi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui remind you of Gangs of Wasseypur. 

So all and all the movie tastes like a mixture. The story line is quite similar to Ek Villain - the heroine is killed in the beginning by an unexpected killer and hero resolves to find and kill the killer.

While the differences between Ek Villain and Badlapur are -

1. Shraddha Kapoor was a heroine. Yami just felt like an air.  

2. Ek Villain had a better plot with good pace and organization.

3. Badlapur was rather slow and incoherent. There is no logical explanation for Varun's actions.

4. There was a message in Badlapur but it was poorly presented and in the end it remained ambiguous. 

More than a True Fact of Badlapur is - 

* Huma Qureshi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui rather seemed to be the major actors.

At Last - 

> You should watch the movie as Varun Dhawan has put in great efforts to act Differently and Seriously.

> You should watch it for Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He is mind-boggling actor.

> Although it could be a better and original movie, it is a one-time watch. I can give * * - / 5 stars. 

via: indianexpress.com

FILMISTAAN : Fata poster nikla hero

It seems Bollywood has fallen in love with itself. If you want a proof watch FILMISTAAN. The movie realizes the famous bollywood dialogue - Fata poster nikla hero. Per ye Duplicate nahi hai. I mean, the idea of the movie is quite original. The movie is Nitin Kakkar's debut movie as director. The two chief actors are - Sharib Hashmi and Imanulhaq, who have done splendid acting.

Sharib Hashmi)

Sharib Hashmi, Innamulhaq

Sharib Hashmi, Innamulhaq

 
A very simple and touching movie which does not let you yawn at any point of time. Yes, that counts to be an achievement in Bollywood movies. The story of the movie includes the setting of India and Pakistan. Terrorism is part of the story but not in its *bloodshed role*. Sharib goes around the border with Americans for an outdoor shoot. He is mistakenly abducted on the place of Americans. He is kept in a border village of Pakistan. The innocent boy has nothing but bollywood on his mind. His craziness for Bollywood is the center around which the movie revolves. 
  
The pakistani fellow Imanulhaq, in whose house Sharib is kept , is a peddler of pirated copies of bollywood movies. How Pakistanis are also fan of bollywood is shown thorugh him. How both Indians and Pakistanis have same roots are also pointed out in the movie.

The movie has again something new for you. An off-the-beat movie, with original idea and refreshed acting. It is great to see the new actors inventing new definitions of the Acting.

A nice concept, nicely brought out. Can be Watched leisurely !

Sharib Hashmi)

SHAMITABH - It is something different !

Yesterday I watched SHAMITABH. Though earlier I was doubtful but it is actually a Brilliant movie. Written and directed by R. Balki, the movie has major star cast of Amitabh Bacchan , Dhanush and Akshara Hassan. Akshara is Shruti Hassan's younger sister and Shamitabh is her debut film. Her acting is superb, I bet no one can say that its her debut movie.

The movie has simple yet intricate plot. It is the story of two people's Ego clash.  Danish (Dhanush), who is a Marathi and dumb by birth, wants to become an actor in Bollywood. After many struggles , Akshara, who is an assistant director, happens to see him and after recognizes his talent, tries to bring him in the knowledge of her boss. But because he is a voiceless fellow, his talent is barred. Just in the moment, they get to know about a technology which may help Danish , all they have to do is find a good voice which can suit on Danish 's personality.

Here comes Amitabh Sinha in the picture. His voice is powerful and perfect for a hero. They offer him to become the voice of Dhanush on screen. He laughs out loud.... Amitabh says- jis aawaaz ko directors ne to kya radio ne bhi reject kar diya , tu usi awaaz se hero banega. A beautiful blend of real story and fiction we see here. When Amitabh agrees to become Danish's voice they make a superhit movie - Lifebuoy. Gradually, both develop Egos and think that the other is nothing. Amitabh, a heavy drinker develops a theory that he is Whisky and Danish is water. Water ko whisky ki jarurat hai, whisky ko water ki nahi. On the other side, Danish thinks he is the actor and Amitabh is a peon- just working for him.Later, they find that both need each other for success.

The end of the movie is a Shock and that's the beauty of the whole movie. Suspense is always a pivotal part of any drama. At the end, you feel like crying. Amitabh's acting leave you speechless.
It is in the end, a literati can construct and deconstruct multiple meanings of the story. The feast for hindi movie lovers is that the story is not typical romantic-action drama or cliche terrorism, it is something different.  Undoubtedly, a must watch for Bollywood lovers !

May God all your wishes come true :)

                                               I dream a lot. Mostly I dream of a peaceful life free of all kind of pollutions. And just the idea of a life Befikar gives you a soothing relaxation. What if it does come true? I am a jobless right now but whenever I think of a dream job it is a kind of work where you just have to sit in front of internet with cup cakes, coffee and good things to read. I wish someone could give you money for doing what you like and doing it when you like. Enough for the day dreams but really! what if there are no worries in your bag , just money in your account.

Top five things that I would do if I were #Befikar Umar Bhar are :

1.  To have a Farmhouse -
                            The first thing that I would do is to have a farmhouse. Me and my husband always dream to have a farmhouse far from the city. Whether to have a relaxed weekend or to have parties on occasions, a farmhouse is such an ideal place.

2. Own a club or cafe - 
                           Farmhouse is okay but an Adda to organize a Club is my dream. I love the ideas of informal club, coffee house, book cafe and alike. I am totally a social worm and I am in love with literati discussions and artistic ambiance. If ever I have a book cafe or club , I would decorate it with paintings of newbie artists , antique and recreational stuff and loads of books. We can always fulfill our dreams , isn't it? 

3. Own a Library - 
                           Did I say I am a hardcore book lover? Although that doesn't mean reading books all the time but I cherish reading books than anything. I believe a person becomes a complete human being only by reading good books. Francis Bacon has said it aptly, " “Reading maketh a full man; and writing an axact man" So some day I want to establish a Library in my town or may be a chain of libraries all over the country. It is said, think of sky, at least you would reach top of a tree.

 4. Go on a World Tour - 
                             It has been hardly one year of my marriage and we have gone on three tours including honeymoon. We have visited Daman, Shirdi (Nasik), Saputara , Himachal Pradesh, Vaishno Devi and most recently Goa. Me and my husband both love visiting new places. We both are adventurous. But life does not always allow you such freedom. Specially belonging to the middle class family you are tied up with so many social responsibilities and the pressure to earn enough money always remain the same. But if I ever get a chance, I would go on a World Tour.

5.  For the parents and kids - 
                                 We have many dreams in our lives which we think we will  fulfill once we are retired or have enough money but the ground reality is we are hardly able to fulfill all of them. But on two things we never compromise- wishes of our parents and future of our children.

                                If not for the 1- 4 wishes but for the fifth wish, we surely need a lot of financial planning. These days everywhere you listen "aaj kal zindagi ka koi bharosa nahin", that means there is no surety of life these days. So one should plan their finance in the way that even if some causality happen to them, their family does not break down. As long as I understand , the life insurance is a good option. The IDBI federal life insurance  is even better. Not sure? Read here- IDBI Life Insurance  the five reasons why you should choose to be #Befikar Umar Bhar. No time to read the page then watch the one minute video and you would surely like to go into its details.

 By the way, what will be your five wishes? Well, whatever they are , May God all your wishes come true :)

Hemingway and Gellhorn (2012)

Hemingway and Gellhorn (2012) is an HBO's biopic film. The movie is focused on the relationship of Ernest Hemingway; the greatest American writer of his time and Martha Gellhorn , the greatest women war correspondent ever. The backdrop of the movie is largely WW2. It is an amazing biopic, specially the  acting of Nicole Kidman is spellbound. That only made me read further about Martha Gellhorn.

via: Google images

I am pursuing my Ph.D. on a feminist hindi writer and my perspective these days have become weirdly feminist. I didn't intent to watch the movie from Feminist's perspective but as I watched the movie all those feminist concerns begin to have meaning. Anyone who would watch the movie it is because Hemingway. He is more popular, the syllabus writer and a gigantic personality for a Literati. But at the end of the movie all you remember is Martha Gellhorn. Who is she?

Born on 8 November, 1908, Martha Gellhorn dropped her graduation to pursue a career as a journalist . Then she became a foreign correspondent .Gellhorn first met Hemingway during a 1936 Christmas family trip to Key West. They agreed to travel in Spain together to cover the Spanish Civil War, where Gellhorn was hired to report for Collier's Weekly. She went to Germany, Finland, Hong Kong, Burma, Singapore and Britain to report war. She was the only woman to land at Normandy on D-Day (June 6, 1944.) She was also among the first journalists to report from Dachau concentration camp after it was liberated. She once said, "I followed the war wherever I could reach it."

Martha Gellhorn was Hemingway's third wife till 1940-45. She resented being his wife because in her interviews her achievements were shadowed by the fact that she was Hemingway's wife. She said in one of her interviews ," I don't want to be a footnote in someone's life." This is an epic statement ; from feminist's perspective; by a lady who wanted to prove her self-worth through her courageous work.

The world of men always want to portray women as frail, fragile , weak, dependent but when a woman challenges it, their ego can not accept. Keeping Gellhorn's above statement in light, it is only an irony that the title of the movie , "Hemingway and Gellhorn" take Hemingway's name first.
However, the movie brings forth Martha Gellhorn as a emancipated woman, who lived they way she wanted to. And although the movie is about their relationship, it seems more meaningful in the light of Feminism and the New Woman. You must watch it if you like Hemingway or Gellhorn either, or if you like the war movies , it is brilliant both ways.

The Book Thief

Lately, I have been watching innumerous movies and almost reading no precious book. All the books which I wanted to read, I decided to watch their movie versions. Though I know even a masterpiece-movie can not replace the joy-of-reading-a-good-book. But I had no option. So, I watched specially Gone with the wind and The Great Gatsby and most recently The Book Thief the next desiring one is- Fifty Shades of Grey.

via: google images

Yesterday I watched The Book Thief. It was like - Hypnotizing. The beautiful young girl - Liesel Meminger, the innocent love of -Rudy Steiner and humanity of - Hans Hubermann are spellbound. 
The movie is based on the novel by Australian author  Markus Zusak which was first published in 2005. It is directed by- Brian Percival. It portrays the Germany of 1938 when it was ruled by Hitler and Nazis. The whole story is narrated by Death. 

The most striking thing about the story is - Humanity and the power of Words. Humanity is everywhere among the people of Nazi Germany.  Hans Hubermann takes  Liesel Meminger as a foster daughter whose mother was a communist. Later, he takes in a Jewish boy Max Vandenburg because his father had saved Hans' life in a war. With the humanity, there are Words in the movie like air. Liesel Meminger can not read, it is with the help of her new papa that she begins to learn to read. Books mesmerize her and she can't hold herself back from stealing them. Upon asking by Hans that is the book yours? She says, "It wasn't always mine." The power of words is so surprising that almost dying Max is restored to life by Liesel's reading to him. And further, with the motivation of Max, Liesel even begins to write. 

via:google images

The movie is definitely a work that unfolds multiple layers of meaning and metaphors. It bounds you in a moment. And the girl playing Liesel is so beautiful. Altogether, you can't forget the movie. !!!

One by Richard Bach

Richard Bach is not an easy writer to decode. Many have told me that they didn't understand him at all. That they prefer Paulo Coelho to him. I have read many of PC's works, he is about dreams, fantasies and inspiration. While I found Bach more inspiring, challenging and ambitious. His, Johnathan Livingston Seagull is fine. Illusions, one step more better. But the book I recently finished off, One , is remarkable. Not that it has all the answers you are seeking. The reason it is fantastic is, it is not just mere a self-help or inspirational book , it is not even closer to it. It is , in fact, a book of Discovery , of Ideas, of Fantasy and most importantly of Structures. It is a superb amalgamation of literature ( a wonderful narrative pattern ), and science ( fantastic ideas ).

When I started with the book, I broke down at hundred pages, nothing made any sense. I put down the book and didn't open it for almost a couple of months.Yesterday when I did begin reading from where I had stopped, suddenly everything began to make sense. So , I would suggest to those who pick up this book, don't mind initial pages, just keep going on. 

It is funny, that the book at once begins to feel very familiar. It contains the ideas, I had cherished and practiced in my childhood. When I was young and lonely, I would go on the terrace, look at the stars and weave stories around them, think of another world that exists simultaneously, think of the possibility of many lifetimes (in serial). Though Bach tells, we have them not Serial wise, but Simultaneously. 

He talks about Choices. And how they Change the course of our lives. He talks about Ideas and their power. 

Some of the most powerful thoughts are scattered through the pages. 

"One way to choose a future is to believe it is inevitable."

Something echoes through out the book , my philosophy - "Believing is Experiencing."

However crazy it sounds, he conveys his idea that, there are parallel worlds and parallel lives. Our choices change the courses and can take us into any of those worlds. If we focus on our consciousness, and bring it to the highest level, then with our determination and our choices we can even decide to die and not to die. 

At this point, I am reminded of the same notion conveyed by Sri Aurobindo and Mother in their book -Looking From Within, with more emphasis and belief and clarity. 

Our mind has immense power to change the world within and thus, the world outside. And as Bach says, the world is an illusion. It is just a trick of mind. 

One, is not a book of Wisdom. It is a book of Love. You both are not two, the soulmates are One. 

"You need her power. She needs your wings. Together, you fly !"

You are also One with the World you see  (its your reflection), with the people you see (they are your alternative -selves). With the perspective of One-ness, Unity, comes Harmony and Love. And "Your oneness in love is reality, and mirages can not change reality... 

Wherever you go you are together, safe with the one you love most, at the point of all perspective."  

What it is to be a woman (c)

" Every Woman is a Warrior Princess. If she believes in her Divinity, Power, Purity and Purpose of life."

via- vi.sualize.us

What it is to be a woman (b)

" Women are rare. Every female doesn't qualify to be a woman. "

There need to be a Delicate Grace.
There need to be Composure.
There need to be plenty of Art.
There need to be some Virtues of Mother Nature.
There need to be Power, Strength and a distinct knowledge of a way to use it.
There need to be Divine Intuition.

Well, there is no end to it, but we can put one last thing here - That there need to be Integrity.

Now, why Integrity is so important ? Because according to Indian Philosophy, there are two elements in the Universe - Purush and Prakriti. Females have the more of Prakriti and less of Purush. That is why they are more giving, have intuitive powers, they are mysterious and so on... Nature (prakriti) seems to be fragmented but if you look from a little higher , there is integrity in Nature as well. A woman generally by nature is fragmented. She wants to be so much at one time. Her different personalities come in conflict with one another. That is why, they are more confusing, more mysterious, and more interesting obviously. But a real Woman needs to show Integrity in her 'fragmented self'.

What it is to be a Woman (a)

"She was still a girl, still a girl when she was about to enter the sanctity called Marriage. Like a girl she still dreamed of vast blue sky, rainbows and butterflies."

Then one day she realized, what it was to be a woman. She thought being a man isn't the same thing like being a woman. To be a woman you must know, when to think from your brain and when to allow your heart to decide. And I tell you, its the Foremost and Toughest challenge in the way to be a Woman.

vi.sualize.us

Talaash : Where the answer lies?

I guess I have fallen in love with Kareena Kapoor. Whoa! she IS an Actress, that too a very scintillating. Though the script of "Heroine" was very lousy but Kareena came out of it shining like the moon. In "Talaash" , she just did it Awesomely. How perfectly she fits in the character. No wonder, after Chameli and a little similar part she plays in "Heroine", she had to be perfect in the prostitute's role. 

Talking about "Talaash" as an impact, I would say, it just hits you on the right spot. A man's logical mind clashes with a woman's believes. But Talaash is not simply the story of " turning an unbeliever into a believer ". It is about something more. 

When Aamir shouts on Rani dragging her out of that Spirit Caller's house, and telling her, being a science teacher how can she believe in such crap. At that moment, Rani tells him, " I find happiness in this." You also do in which you find happiness. Here the story shifts from the theme of 'Belief' to 'Happiness'. We believe in something because it satisfy our urges, it gives us happiness and it is so plain that you can either be too logical or happy. 

There is one more important point in the movie. Which has touched me beyond anything. The Spirit Caller says, ' We don't choose ou lives, life chooses us.' It is an answer to most of our questions in the world -like -  'why me?' Because this life has chosen you and what you could do, can do n will do - no one can take your place n do your work. 

" If the life has chosen you, and not you  have chosen the life, there shall be no regrets but only looking forward to how you can come up to Life's expectations from you. At least you can try your best " ;)

P.S. ~ Don't forget to notice the caption - "The Answer Lies Within". Your Talaash for whatever it is , will only get a going with a ' Sign ' your heart gives you. 

The Magic of YJHD lies in ...

So finally I watched YJHD today. This is a universally loved movie, but not for a universal theme. I bet, everyone liked this movie for his own reason. What was my reason then? Why I liked this movie? Or rather, why this movie made me dance for a while, made me buzz my friends n shower kisses n love... what was the magic? 

I dunno about the world - the big world on map. But I know about my friends and the little world we have and each one of them, wants to run away, to visit the exotic places, wants to have different experiences, fulfill their dreams - everyone wants to fly high breaking the chains of responsibilities behind and that's exactly what the movie portraits through the character of Ranbir (Kabir) . Dreaming is not wrong, but then what's wrong with him?  Instability. 

Well, unexpectedly it is not Ranbir or Deepkia I could co-relate to . It was Kalki. Yes. Recently even I took a decision that turned my life Upside-down. That brought me - ME- the banjaara types-  back  to home, back to normal life with friends and family, life full of love and togetherness, life of slow but steady growth, life of Stability and Sincerity. 

There are two favorite quotes of mine from this movie - first ,

 " jitna bhi try karo bunny life me kuch na kuch toh chhutega hi , toh jahan hain wahin ka maza lete hain na..." (Deepika - YJHD) 



and second, 

 " kuch logon ke sath sirf waqt bitaane se sab thik ho jaata hai..." (Kalki - YJHD)

Kalki had loved an old buddy but it was on sided love. When she met an engineer through her parents and spent time with him, she realized ; probably what I realized myself, when someone loves you, cares for you, calls you his own and commits to spend whole life together no matter what - you know where your happiness lies. 

You know what, the chase still goes inside my soul, there is still the times of chaos and struggle, but I am glad - I am out of the confusion , and in spite of Million dream lives I wanted to live, I have chosen one dream for this life - the dream of love n cozy companionship. 

The magic of YJHD lies in its message, which the youngsters getting crazy after their freaky dreams need badly today. And the message is - you can not have everything in just one life. If you will run after having all and fulfilling all dreams of yours, you will end up losing all in the end. Not wanting to miss anything, will make you miss a lot in life. So rather than having-all , just have what you have and live it to the fullest. Choose one frame, Accept the limitation, and Paint the best Possible picture. 

Heroine

The movie - Heroine.

A story of the struggle of a heroine.

Just that?

No... it is about fears, insecurities ... you can't trust anyone around you. It is about making a mistake, going into depression, and trying Gracefully to come over it. You know what this movie is about, it tells you, its okay, its okay to commit a mistake, and its never too late.

 No one would understand why you like a certain film, they think you have been fooled or you are over emotional. They don't realize, somewhere it brings to your conscious, some "unconscious urge", they don't understand, you relate to a certain character so well, that you forget about the narration, the slow line story or any damn thing. Only thing that matters to you is, you feel what character feels. You learn a thing for
yourself or what you should do, through a Reel life character.

Well, Kareena is really A STAR.