Movie Review: Last Love (2013)

The film Last Love’s tagline says ‘It’s never too late to love life again’. Sandra Nettelbeck tries hard to project this and she does succeed to some extent but the overall impact is not great. Whatever she achieves is killed in the last 15 minutes of the film and one is just left feeling somewhat bitter!

Michael Caine plays the role of an aging widower Matthew Morgan, a retired Princeton philosophy professor, who lost his beloved wife three years ago. He lives alone in Paris, drowning in silent grief. A chance meeting with Pauline (Clemence Poesy) a young Parisian cha-cha-cha teacher brings some spark in his lifeless life and brightens it up. Or so it seems.

He says her hair reminds him of his late wife’s; she says she liked his beard for it reminded her of her late father’s. Slowly and strangely Pauline’s entire life seems to revolve around Matthew, strange because their relation is so ambiguous. It’s vague whether it is platonic affection that arises out of their respective loneliness or there is an undercurrent of real desire. 

Why need there be a clear demarcation one might say. Agreed! I did not have a problem for the most part of the movie. But as mentioned above, the last part just messes it all up and you’re left wondering.

When Matthew attempts a serious suicide, his two children Miles (Justin Kirk) and Karen (Gillian Anderson) come down from America on a disappointing note. They are not happy about having to be there as is evident from Karen’s remark, "An overdose is not my favorite excuse to come to Paris but thanks for making an effort, Dad." The two, especially Miles, develop an instant hostility for Pauline seeing her as “our future stepmother for all I know”.

Things take a turn from here and Nettelbeck seems to have found a shortcut to put things in order, which is far from convincing. Cliché and melodrama end up in disaster.

Michael Caine is undoubtedly a brilliant actor and he’s fairly good here. Only sometimes it seems that he is merely reading out his lines in a detached manner. Many people also have a problem with his (fake) American accent. Poesy is good in her part, and shares a good chemistry with Caine. Gillian Anderson has the least screen space but she plays it to the hilt.

I don’t have a problem with slow paced films but the languid pace might disturb some. Hans Zimmer’s score is subtle to suit the tone and mood of the film, but even though it looks very promising it too goes downhill. Michael Bertl though deserves great applause for the wonderful cinematography. Paris has been shot so well and one would (for the nth time) end up falling in love with the city.

Last Word: Last Love is not a bad film. It does take up serious issues deal with them well in the first half. It is the end that majorly disappoints. This film really had the potential to be better, so much better.

Rating: 7/10

Happy Birthday Jammy!

He’s one of India’s greatest batsmen but never got his due. Even when he scored big runs he was always outshined or overshadowed by other team members, a phenomenon that started right from his debut in Test cricket. Dravid made his debut at Lord's on 20 June 1996 against England in the Second Test of the series with Sourav Ganguly and scored 95 runs. However Ganguly went on to score a century and became the celebrated hero.

Dravid’s batting was as perfect as a coaching manual. His name was a constant at number three on the scoreboard and there were innumerable times when he was a savior for the team. He was nicknamed “The Wall” for his impeccable defence and till date he is fondly remembered as 'The Wall' of Indian cricket.

"Even though Sachin is great, I have always found Rahul more solid and hard to get out. He has a solid defense and plays less shots than others. When a batsman plays less shots then it is tough to get him as he makes less mistakes." – Shoaib Akhtar

Rahul Dravid has always been my hero, ever since I started watching cricket. In fact, he is the reason I started watching cricket. I have been an ardent supporter and have admired him not only as a player but also for the man that he is. 

"If you can't get along with Dravid, you're struggling in life," said Brett Lee. Dravid truly is the epitome of a perfect gentleman.

Today Jammy turns 41 and I wish him a very Happy Birthday! He may have retired from the game but I will continue to be his fan. There never was and perhaps will never be, one like him!

For those interested, here’s a list of what fellow players have to say about this legend – http://tinyurl.com/DravidQuora

Movie Review: About Time (2013)

So I think to myself. Alright there’s a new rom-com that looks good. It’s also rated pretty high on IMDb. What more?

Genre: Romantic comedy – Oh nice, I am sucker for fine rom-coms

Director: Richard Curtis – Excellent! I’d loved his previous two films ‘Love Actually’ and ‘The Boat That Rocked’. Plus he is also the writer for ‘Notting Hill’, one of my favourite films ever. Excitement is a notch higher.

It revolves around time travel – Ah well, it looks like a perfect recipe, if well executed.

These were my thoughts before watching About Time. And was I disappointed? Not really, but it didn’t quite leave an impact. Or was I expecting too much, maybe yes. It is by no means a bad film but not something that I would highly recommend either.

The film is about Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson), a 21 year old socially uncomfortable character. On his 21st birthday his father (Bill Nighy) tells him an incredibly useful secret – men in his family can time travel, to any point in the past that they remember. So whenever there is some mishap or embarrassment, or need to re-do something Tim can go back in time and change the outcome of a situation. All he needs to do to fix these issues is go to the nearest closet or a compact room and clench his fists. Now this sounds interesting (barring the clenching fists bit) but maybe this whole going back and altering things has been so overdone that it loses its charm.

About Time is not the run of the mill romantic comedy. Yes it has all the elements of a Curtis film – locations in London, friendships, plenty of sardonic and sometimes rude humour, a socially reticent boy, a beautiful North American girl, a freaky young female relative, a doddery elderly male relative and some heavy rain. But it delves deeper and raises some profound questions.

The message that it gives out is that ups and downs are a part of life and no gift can save you from that.

Thus one should live life to the full, cherish each moment and not take things or people for granted. “Cherish the small moments as if they are most important.” Besides this, one of the main themes is the heartfelt father-son relationship. The scenes between them are some of the best in the film.

I did not quite Tim Lake in the beginning and thought he wouldn’t be able to match up to Rachel McAdams who plays his love interest Mary. However with time he grew on me and I think the two had a strong chemistry. However Rachel was underused. Though she is good in her role and very likeable (I absolutely did not like her fringes though), her character doesn’t have much depth. Whenever there is the slightest need to alter things, Tim always excuses himself for a moment and heads out of the room and she is not once shown questioning him. I liked Bill Nighy the best. He brings such warmth to his role with his spot-on acting. He steals every scene he is in with his charisma.

There are so many beautiful scenes in the film. One where Tim and Mary meet for the first time in a restaurant is bound to vow you. Another when Tim runs home to Mary late night and urges her to wake up as her had to ask her something important. Then of course the many scenes featuring Tim and his father.

Despite so many things working for it, the film is flawed and has plot holes. They might not come in the way of watching the film, because you are pretty much absorbed in this feel good movie, but they are disturbing. The individual parts are good but as a whole, there is something amiss. This can be one of the reasons I wasn’t thoroughly happy after having watched it. Overall, it is decent and worth a watch. And if you are going to stop making sense out of it, especially the time travel, you'll love it all the more!

Rating: 7.2/10

I am upset today. It was distressing to hear the news of Paul Walker’s death. Even though I have not seen many of his movies, not even all of the Fast and Furious series, I am saddened to hear of his untimely demise. Plus I also read an article where last year’s Delhi rape victim’s mother speaks her heart out. While reading, there were numerous moments when I paused because I was choked.

My mind was flooded with a series of thoughts and images. [I sometimes marvel at the rapidity of thoughts. One leads to the other and within seconds you are in a maze of thoughts. I’d love to talk more about this but I’ll save this for later.] Both these incidents make me low-spirited. But they also give me an impetus to pen down my thoughts about something I’d been thinking of lately. It is connected to my current state of mind – being sad!

Looking around I see most people sad and distressed. Once in a while it is fine and understood but it’s more of a regular feature. Everyone seems to be caught up with something or the other and dissatisfied with life. They are plagued by many problems such as work, relationships, past issues, finances, self-esteem, future etc. Each person has his/her own way of dealing with things. A few are mentally strong and face these challenges astutely. Some seek to put up a brave face and try to deal with things on their own. The tussle is, of course, visible to only close people if not all. Most others are weak and tend to crib about it.

There is nothing wrong about cribbing. All of us, at some point in life do vent out our frustration and negative thoughts. Even the strongest of people do give in, which is perfectly fine. However what is disturbing is when people tend to create problems on their own. The truth is that not a soul is free of problems, issues or difficulties. We all go through them. So nobody is different in this regard. But what sets people apart is the way they react to situations.

As mentioned above death and rape are two things which not only sadden me but also scare the hell out of me. Death is permanent and cannot be undone. Rape is worse. It leaves a scar which only and only the victim can understand. When people go through such crisis, my heart goes out to them. There are so many other things which make me feel in the same way – a child begging, people digging the garbage to scour for food, the homeless, poor or orphans, terrorism amongst others. Oh there is so much real pain and suffering in this world! However an average person never gives much thought to it. On the contrary he/she is busy complaining about an unkind boss, having to eat boring food, a misunderstanding, not having enough clothes to wear, something someone said, a low-paying job and so much more.

These aren’t real problems. If you are not happy with your work, find another job. If you are not happy working under someone, have the strength to venture into entrepreneurship. Better still follow your dreams and pursue them. Not having enough clothes or eating boring food – really! Think about millions who struggle for a morsel of food and make do with bare minimum clothes. If it is about what people say/said, well we don’t really have a control over what others say. So ignore and move on! If there is a misunderstanding, clear it. Do not sit back and assume things. It only makes things more complicated!

The world is really full of concrete problems and most of us have no inkling of them. So rather than cribbing about what is not right, try and face it. All that is required is a change of attitude. It might not help in putting an end to the problem, but at least it can provide enough strength to deal with the situation. And the next time you think you are sad, think of the more unfortunate ones and you’ll realize you are way better off.

“Life is a bowl of cherries. Some cherries are rotten while others are good; its your job to throw out the rotten ones and forget about them while you enjoy eating the ones that are good! There are two kinds of people: those who choose to throw out the good cherries and wallow in all the rotten ones, and those who choose to throw out all the rotten ones and savor all the good ones.” 

― C. JoyBell C.

Barsaat Aur Birha

Pattiyon ko toh aksar zhadte dekha hai maine
Inme se sundar kuch ko apni kitabon ke beech sambhal kar rakha hai kai baar maine

Tez hawaa ke jhonkon se paido ko bhi girte dekha hai maine
Lekin kal ka nazaara kuch aur hi tha

Garmi se pareshaan main baarish baarish khoob keh rahi thi, intezaar kar rahi thi 

Aur kal jab aayi baarish toh meri khushi ka koi thikana na tha

Lekin kehte hai na har cheez ke do pehlu hote hain 

Yahan main khushi se jhoom rahi thi 

Us barsaat ka lutf utha rahi thi 

Aur wahan kuch bahut dardnaak sa ho raha tha

Kuch samay baad ek ped ko badi behrami se tootte bikharte hue dekha

Patte toh the hi nahi kewal ped hi tha 

Phir bhi kaafi mann bhaata tha 

Kuch alag si kashish thi usme 

Aur main ghanto dekhti thi use 

Bada sukoon mehsoos hota tha

Lekin kal uski chavi ko tootte dekha

Uski do daaliyon ko usse alag hote dekha

Reh reh kar bahut khayal aaye mere mann mein 

Jab choti choti chot pe itna dard hota hai humein 

Toh kaise laga hoga us ped aur uski daaliyon ko 

Inme bhi toh jaan hoti hai na 

Bas ek hi pal mein badal gayi soorat uski 

Kya dard se kharhaya hoga unhone 

Kya bichadne ka gam sataya hoga unhe…

Barsaat tham gayi aur zindagi phir lagi daudne 

Woh waise bhi kahan thamti hai kisi ke liye 

Lekin bahut ajeeb lag raha hai mujhe ab bhi

Us toote hue ped ko dekhkar 

Uski tooti hui daaliyon ko bikhra dekhkar 

Aur jab mujhe lag raha hai aisa toh unhe kaisa lag raha hoga 

Kya woh kos rahe honge us baarish ko 

Ya apni lachaari pe dukh mehsoos kar rahe honge

Jo bhi hai, main mehsoos kar sakti hun unke dard ko 

Ek aah si uth rahi hai 

Aur ab lag raha hai 

Shayad agli baar baarish ko yaad karne se bhi thoda katraongi main!

Roman Holiday - A tale of sweet, innocent romance!

I guess I’m in the zone of watching movies I’d always wanted to and which are long overdue. Roman Holiday is one of them. Audrey Hepburn stole my heart with Breakfast at Tiffany’s which I watched earlier this year. Since then I had been eagerly waiting to see more of her. I eventually managed to watch Roman Holiday today and now I am even more in love with her. (Yes I drool over girls too – Julia Roberts, Kareena Kapoor, Chitrangada Singh to name a few :P)

Roman Holiday (1953) is the escapade of the royal princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn). She is in Rome, on the last leg of her Europe trip. She has had a packed schedule attending official functions and meeting dignitaries and aristocrats. As royal and glamorous it may look, she is upset and frustrated with the method life where everything is so ‘wholesome’. Scheduled and monotonous life has bored her to death and she longs for a break. When she breaks down, she is deemed ill and asked to control her nerves. The doctor is sent for, who in turn gives her a sleep-inducing drug to appease her hysteria. However, she manages to escape her country’s embassy at night and sets out to secretly explore the city on her own.

Ann is found sleeping on a bench thanks to the drug. Joe Bradley (Peck), who is an expat journalist working with American News Service, runs into her. He tries convincing her to go home. On failing, he takes her to his apartment out of sheer kindness and concern about her safety. The irony – the royal princess that he is supposed to interview the next day is sleeping in his apartment and he fails to recognize her. It is only when he dashes to his office the following day that he comes to know about it. He is allured at the prospect of making good money by getting a front page, never-told-before-story on her personal life and hurriedly strikes a deal with his editor. He takes the help of his dear photographer friend Irving Radovich (Eddie Albert) to get an exclusive coverage of the personal side of the Princess.

This leads to a 24 hour adventure on the streets of Rome – for the princess it is her first ever venture, exploring places, interacting with common folks, and doing things she always wanted. For the journalist, it is short cut to making quick money and getting a return ticket for America, his native land. He willingly entertains her in the hope of fishing out a meaty story. While the duo manages to photograph Ann smoking, dancing, getting in trouble with the police and much more, an unsaid love blooms between the protagonists. What happens thereafter if for you to watch!

The best part of the film is undoubtedly Audrey’s essaying of the Princess’ role, which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress. In fact, Hepburn was the first actress to win an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award for this movie (Wikipedia). Right from the first frame, when she is shown as the royal princess, she steals our heart away. She looks gorgeous and every inch a princess – stunningly beautiful, delicate and graceful. She has portrayed the various moods so effectively – naive yet teasing when she says to her chaperone, “Did you know there are people who sleep with absolutely nothing on at all”; amusing, charming, playful, shy, innocent and romantic. Little did she or anyone know at that time that the movie would turn her into an overnight star! I am all the more keen to watch her other movies now. Peck is comfortable in his role and supports her well. The chemistry between them is realistic and likeable, especially in the last scene where all the emotion is conveyed through their eyes.

Roman Holiday is first-class cinema with all the elements of a good romantic comedy. The movie is simple, charming and it beautifully portrays the innocent romance of the bygone era. In honour of its 60th anniversary the film just had a rerelease. What a time to catch it, if you already haven’t!

Rating: 8.2/10

Once - A Musical Journey

I had heard the soundtrack of Once long back and loved it. The movie looked good too but I never watched it until today. In between I had heard and read so much about it that expectations were fairly high. And I wasn't disappointed! Being an ardent music lover, I fancy musicals so it was half the battle won. Plus I like the Brit/Irish accent :) However, Once stands out for its simplicity, modesty and earnest performances.

The movie is set in Dublin. Interestingly both the protagonists are not given names. The guy (Glen Hansard) is a street musician who plays the guitar and sings for money at night. During the day, he works in his father’s vacuum cleaner shop. His music attracts a young Czech girl (Marketa Irglova) who herself is a classically trained pianist. She takes him to a piano shop where she often goes to play the piano as she does not own one. It is here that they play a beautiful duet “Falling Slowly” (for which they both received an Academy Award for Best Original Song) and blossoms their short but delightful musical escapade.

The bond over music and he confides about his ex-girlfriend for whom he had been writing songs. She stays in old London and had betrayed him long back. However he is still in love with her, misses her but does not want to go get her. We also learn that the girl sells flowers and cleans a house for a living. She lives with her mother and little daughter Ivonka. Her husband is back in Czech Republic and things are not right between them. The marriage part comes as a surprise for him as he clearly did not expect that. However that doesn't change things between them.

The movie is not ambitious. Their love story is simple and beautiful. Music develops the plot further and all the songs are so beautiful. It helps that all of them were recorded by Glen and Marketa themselves. Neither of them are trained actors but musicians. Maybe that’s why their performances are so realistic. Plus it was during the filming of the movie that the two fell in love. This chemistry is visible on-screen as well. The bitter-sweet ending is realistic. It leaves you touched and happy that you witnessed this musical journey. 

Once is simple and straightforward. It was made on a shoestring budget and shot in merely 17 days with two new actors. And what a swell job done! It is magical and one you bound to get swayed. Once is one of the best musicals I have seen. Highly recommended, especially if you are a music lover :)

P.S. The movie has also motivated me to get going with my guitar practice, which has been moving at a snail's pace recently! :)

A crush!!

I am not a great fan of actors as such, barring the one and only Mr. Bose :D However of late, I've taken a great liking for Riteish Deshmukh, not so much for the actor but more for the person that he is. Not that I know him personally :P But whatever I have been able to decipher while watching the reality show India’s Dancing Superstar (IDS). However that’s not how I always looked at him.

I quite liked Genelia D'Souza especially after Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. She seemed so vivacious, positive and full of energy all the time. So when I heard that she would be marrying Riteish Deshmukh my instant reaction was she deserves someone much better. How did she even fall for him in the first place? It changed a bit when I got to know that they had been dating for eight years. I really appreciated the consistency and when I saw them together on a reality show they looked so much in love. So I thought, well, love conquers all.

That was a couple of years ago. Genelia kind of disappeared after her marriage and I moved on with my life, shuttling between Delhi and Siliguri :P

Next I saw Ritesh on IDS. Initially I only used to watch glimpses or repeat telecasts of this show as the timings coincided with one of my favourite shows ever – Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. I have been an ardent fan of this show right from the first season. True the celebrities in the current season aren’t as exciting, but Madhuri Dixit is enough to keep one hooked to the show. And of course Manish Paul, who I believe is the best anchor in the country today. So there was no way I would miss Jhalak for a new dance show.

That started changing. With every passing week, I started to get hooked on to the show. Not that I suddenly fell in love with Mr. Deshmukh. It was primarily due to the performances, especially those of MJ5, D-Maniax, Loyola Dream Team and Akshay Pal. Every week they would come up with remarkable performances and as the judges say, ‘win me over’. During the course of watching this show, I discovered what an amazing human being Riteish is.

The first time I saw him on the judging panel I thought, like many others, “What is he doing as a judge of a dancing show? Didn't they find anyone better? He doesn't have great dancing skills to boast of.” After watching a few episodes I felt he was doing a great job. And then I started liking him more.

He is always such a sport, going up to the stage every time some participant calls him, mimicking the most difficult of stunts in his own charming style. Then, in one of the episodes, when co-judge Geeta Kapoor praised him for the person that he is, he humbly replied, echoing my previous sentiments. He said that he knew a lot of people had doubts about him being a fit judge for a dancing show. How beautifully he said that he was watching the performances, giving his comments both appreciating and picking faults just like a viewer would do in front of his television set. In that regard he was no different from a viewer. Only that since he was famous he got the chance to be on that seat. That day he completely blew my mind. I fell in love with his humility. I have even switched over from Jhalak to IDS and one of the main reasons is to watch him.

And as I said above, I really like him now. He comes across as a very nice human being. He is witty, humble, sweet, polite and has an amazing sense of humour. Genelia is indeed very lucky to have him as a husband. A couple made for each other :)

Lootera - A Cinematic Excellence!

I had to write this review. Not because I had set expectations and some people were awaiting my review after the FB status. It is purely because I absolutely loved the movie. After having watched it, a couple of people asked me how did I like it and I just said one thing – wait for the review. It wasn’t to create an unnecessary suspense but because there is so much to say, to share. So here it goes.

Lootera is a cinematic excellence. A lot of people would complain that it is slow and thus unbearable. Yes it is – slow, pensive. It is not an entertainer meant for the masses. It is a period film, an art, poetry in motion and the story unfolds at its own pace.

The film is set in two periods in the post Independence era – Manikpur, West Bengal in 1953 and Dalhousie in 1954. The first half of the movie is fresh with some magical moments. In fact I was captivated at the very beginning itself. The instrumental of my favoutite track ‘Ankahee’ played at the outset. I first thought it would be the first song and the movie would go into a flashback, narrating the tale of two lovers. How delighted I was at the thought of hearing the song one more time, that too so early! Despite having listened to it on loop innumerable times I was yet to get tired of it. I remember waiting with bated breath. However that was not to be. And not just that, the song just does not feature in the movie but is a part of closing credit. So much for the excitement! Anyway this was the only let-down if I may say.

Coming back to the plot and the review, with the critical success of his debut film Udaan, Vikramaditya Motwane had set high expectations. And truly he does not disappoint. Of course there are some flaws with the major one being the lackluster (partial) adaptation of O Henry’s masterpiece – The Last Leaf. This short story is so powerful and Motwane sure could have done a better job than making it look like a hurried adaptation. However, the beauty and magic of this period drama completely outweigh and overshadow the flaws. The world of the protagonists – love, passion, agony, disappointment, anger –keeps you hooked.

The movie is picturesque. Manikpur and Dalhousie are totally different landscapes and both have been captured beautifully by Mahendra J Shetty. The music by Amit Trivedi and lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya are exceptional. All the songs are beautifully crafted. Monali Thakur does absolute justice to the beautiful number ‘Sawaar Lun’. Baramade puraane hain, nayi si dhoop hai – How poetical! Another number that I liked is ‘Monta Re’. I have always loved Shilpa Rao’s husky voice and she is good yet again in ‘Manmarziyan’. Even ‘Shikayatein’ and ‘Zinda Hoon’ are good. I love the entire album!

Sonakshi Sinha as Pakhi has delivered a stellar performance. From the privileged, pampered zamindar’s daughter to the immature lover, from the playful, vibrant, mischievous young girl in Manikpur to an ailing, lonely figure and a frustrated writer in Dalhousie – she is very convincing and has essayed the role with a right mix of innocence and sensitivity. I was among the majority of people who felt that although Sonakshi has 100 crore club to her merit, it is mere luck than talent that had got her there. My opinion has definitely changed after Lootera. The credit also goes to the writer for such a well defined role. Kudos!

Two girls sitting beside me labeled Pakhi’s attempts of getting close to Varun as desperate. They couldn’t stop laughing and mocking saying that she was throwing her charms at him in an attempt to seduce him while he wasn’t interested. Well, to some it might seem a desperate attempt of getting physical. But I think there is much more to it. Being a literature student I have learnt to analyse a work of art beyond the obvious. One needs to understand the set-up in which Pakhi has grow-up and lives. Her father is the only man in her life and she has been deprived of any other love. So when she comes across this good-looking charmer, she is bound to be swept off her feet and develop some feelings for this man.

Ranveer Singh as Varun essays his role with conviction and displays the various shades of his character effectively. He is introduced as a polite young boy who timidly seeks permission from the Zamindar for an archaeological dig. Then there is the innocent and mellowed flirting during the painting lessons and beyond. Despite a warning from his partner Devdas, he eventually falls for Pakhi and is torn between love and duty. In the second half he looks confident when he sways to Dalhousie to commit yet another heist. And then the estranged lover wanting to stay back and make amends to his lady love.

The chemistry between the leading pair is not the best that we come across but their individual performances are rocking. Also a great thumbs up for the supporting characters – Barun Chandra as the zamindar and doting father, Vikrant Massey as Devdas, Varun’s accomplice, Adil Hussain as the tough police inspector and Divya Dutta as the compassionate caretaker are all splendid in their roles and leave a mark.

To sum up, Lootera is an art, one which requires patient viewing. It will charm and sway you with its set-up, scenic locales, music, performances – only if you do not have any pre-conceived notions or expectations. Watch it and it will steal your heart!

Happy Friendship Day! :)

Today Facebook is flooded with friendship messages and pictures. I don't really believe in a particular day to express one's feelings, whether it is Friendship Day or Valentines Day. I especially detest forward messages; can't identify with the concept of sending mass messages just because the day warrants so. So I did not call my friends or text them to wish Happy Friendship Day!

However it wasn't always like this and I was poignantly reminded of this today. On my way back in the metro, I spotted a gang of college kids chit-chatting, laughing, celebrating and having fun. They had friendship band on their wrists and a couple of them were carrying lovely bouquets. The excitement and fervour transported me back to my college days.

Those days Friendship Day was an occasion for grand celebration - cards, gifts, flowers, messages, phone calls. Moreover it used to set the tone for my birthday. I remember in 1st year of college, my friends had sent cards by post first for Friendship Day and then for my birthday. So I used to receive 1-2 cards almost every day. Some of the pg girls mocked, some were envious and other just happy about the bond that I had with my friends. They said they had never received so many cards at one time J I really used to be the enthusiastic one, planning and coordinating with everyone, ensuring that I met most of my friends on that special day.

Now we do change with time and today such celebrations do seem kiddish. But does it mean that the day has lost its value just because we have grown up? During college we used to hang around with friends so often. It was then that another special day was not needed for us to express our love for friends.

In today’s busy world, we are barely in touch with our friends. All are busy in their respective lives – martial life, family and kids, career or studies. We all know that we care and love each other but the point is do we express it that often? Do we really get the time and space to do so? So it is not a good reason for us to take out some time and let friends know that they still are an important part of our lives. It might not be important to do it today, but the idea is to just express. And since I already feel it, I might as well do it today :)

Growing up, we do lose out on friends. I have lost a many and it has been tough. However that has only taught me to cherish friends and friendship all the more. To all those who have moved on, I thank them for teaching me this invaluable lesson. To the ones who have stuck and stuck in the real sense, being there always through the thick and thin, well a thank you is just not enough. You still have me, need you more ;) And to the ones who have newly come in, well you should be glad our paths crossed and you got the chance to know the amazing me ;) 

There are some names that have to come in here. Listing them in alphabetical order :)

Apurva – I have found a friend in a brother and what an incredible friend you are! Just love spending time with you, having those ‘intellectual’ conversations and sharing almost everything! Te quiero :)

Bhua – You were the friend that I always had, right from my childhood. I have grown up with you, learnt from you and imbibed so much from you. It’s been a blessing to have you in my life. Besides being an aunt, you have always been a friend. Love you :)

Joyee – It’s always been a roller-coaster ride with you. We are caught up in the web of life and our escapades are not that interesting. Time to add the ‘past’ tadka ;) Love! 

Mona – As I was growing up, I always missed having a sister; someone with whom I could share everything from crushes to heartbreaks, family troubles to personal issues. Someone who would be protective and not have any motive; and most importantly someone who would always be there coz she was family. I no longer miss having one. Love you so much sister :)

Moulshree – It’s commendable how we are yet to have our first fight. Eight years of togetherness. We were kinda lost in between but thanks to whatsapp we are in regular touch now. To more years of friendship! Also now that I am in Delhi, we should meet more often. So lets fix that long overdue trip soon. Dherai maya :)

Munish – I know a lot of people who find love on the internet. I found a true friend. The comfort and ease with which I share everything with you is commendable. You are forever so encouraging and supporting. Thanks for always being there. All our memories have been of the virtual world so far but doesn’t seem like we have not met yet. Having said that, I am really looking forward to seeing you, soon. Love you pal :)

Nicky – Frankly, I really miss ‘us’ – Nicky & Nanny, especially coz I am in Delhi now. I need to take more effort to be in touch. But we have seen worse in terms of no communication, and we will survive this as well. You continue to be my alter-ego girl. Much love :)

Nupur – Oh I am so delighted that you are a part of my life! Did not know back then that a by chance phone call would blossom into this marvellous friendship that we share. I so miss spending time with you. Hopefully we will relive those moments soon. I am truly, truly blessed to have a wonderful friend like you. Love you my honey-bunny ;)

Pranav – We have been going through a rough patch of late, and all thanks to me. Irrespective of that I want you to know that you are a good friend and I care for you. I like that you have an opinion about things and voice it too and that you feel strongly for causes that you believe in. I love having discussions and arguments about almost everything. We have shared good times and I want us to get back to it. I miss those days and now I take the onus. Love you Joshi :)

Shashank – You care for me, you make me feel special, you bring out the best in me (and sometimes the worst) – you just make me feel alive. I am just glad to have you in my life. Love you!

To all my other friends, wish you Happy Friendship day! :)

To Sir, With Love (On His Birthday)

It is Sumit’s birthday today. He is the Centre Manager of IMS Siliguri and also teaches Maths & DI. We gave him an awesome surprise party. I am extremely rapturous that it all happened as we had planned save few minute glitches here and there. But the celebration was a huge success – a Birthday Bash indeed and I am overjoyed. The aim was to completely take him by surprise and we managed to do that in grand style. The look on his face when he entered IMS was priceless. He just had no clue :)

Sumit when he entered. He was clueless and had no idea
A SUCCESSFUL SURPRISE :)

The event was conceptualized, planned and executed in just three days. The idea of a surprise party struck me on Saturday night. Despite knowing him for more than two years, I had not once wished him on his birthday. He is generally reserved when it comes to such stuff. So when I realized that it was his birthday on 4th, I decided to do something this time.

I discussed the idea with the students of my MBA batch on Sunday. As expected, all were excited. We tried talking about it in the class in hushed tones, but since he was sitting right outside, chances were high that we would be overheard. I suggested we talk about it somewhere out hence after the class we resumed our discussion outside IMS. However, if Sumit would come out and spot us all together, he would sense something was up. We had to make a move from there too. The best option seemed to be CCD. There we went and there started the real planning! What started as a small discussion took the shape of a proper event planning and management involving about score students.

Meeting at CCD each time would not be possible. It would be a costly affair too, I realized ;) So I decided to have the meetings at my place. It would be convenient for all. And we had elaborate meetings at my place for three days in a row. The students were so enthusiastic – it was so wonderful to see everyone so upbeat and charged up. There was a lot of detailing in everything possible.

I wanted to do something different, something big, involving the present batches and the ex-students. I tried and thought of all those small things that could go a long way in making him feel special. I wanted to connect with those ex-students who were close to him. I did not know them all, but created a secret Facebook group to reach out to them. I eventually managed to get in touch with a couple of them and they sent their best wishes which were shared through a presentation.

The card, I knew had to be something creative and hand-made. It would have been very easy to purchase a card and give it to him. But nothing beats a hand-made card. A personalized touch makes a big difference. So we finalized the idea of a custom-made card with the signatures of all the students. The card responsibility was given to Shinam and Ishita and they did a wonderful job of it. Just the selection of the hand-made paper had taken time. There was a good discussion on the colour. Shinam wanted pink and the boys were of the view that pink is a girly colour and thus he would not like it. But Shinam had set her mind on it. I let her go ahead as eventually she was the one who would be making it. And I was not wrong. What a lovely card it turned out to be! When we presented it to him, he said it was one of the best gifts he had ever received :) A readymade card would never have that effect.

Shinam & Ishita presenting the card to the "Birthday Boy" :)

Similarly venue and food also made for a great deal of discussion. I wanted the venue to be IMS itself as that was the place that connected the students to him. Plus IMS would have a homely feeling, a place which everyone knew and would thus be comfortable in. Our food menu changed so many times, it’s not funny. We deliberated on so many things, pizza from Dominos to start with. Here also we explored the option of Pizza Mania as well as large size pizzas on a sharing basis. But Dominos would never be in our budget so the idea was dropped. Next we thought of something in Chinese. But these did not seem to click. The last option was snacks and Mitra and Chinmoy Da also suggested we order snacks packet from somewhere. That would be within our budget and hassle free too – no tension to serve, no plates required. So we went ahead with it! I think the only thing where we had no problem was the cake. I had made up my mind that we would not compromise on the cake. We would order it from Victoria Junction. The cake was very yum and all appreciated it.

The Lip-smacking cake from Victoria Junction :)

The decorations were also very nice. That was something challenging. We had to get it all done when Sumit was away for lunch. We only had about 45 mins. Everyone pitched in to help. And the result was awesome. I especially loved the balloons. The idea was Natasha's. She said it looked very cute. At one point, we were thinking of getting gas balloons instead. I am so glad we went ahead with this. Not just the balloons; every thing looked good.

The most difficult and fatiguing part was planning the games. I was most worried about it. I knew that for the party to get going, we had to have quality games. I did have something in mind but the execution was a humongous task. The idea was to have games from AXN’s “Minute to Win It”. Games selection was the first challenge as there were hundreds to choose from. I selected some, mainly those for which we did not have to buy anything. After that there was great debate if those were doable or not. We had to try every game and ensure that it could be done. Some were difficult and needed modifications. We had suggestions from everyone and then tried all the options. Eventually we finalized the one that seemed to be the best. But what fun it was! Abhimanyu was a champion in most of the trials. Balancing the golf balls had become a child’s play for him. It was great fun to see the guys try all possible ways to attempt “Bite Me”. But all of it was worth it. The games were the highlight of the party. Everyone applauded out efforts and said that games were unusual and enjoyable.

Ishita playing "Don't Blow The Joker" - She was the final winner also :) 

Rameez trying to get his shot right while playing "Home Golf"

I am glad that the event today was a huge success. But I am also missing a lot of things. The main event was fun, no doubt. But the meetings were equally delightful. More maybe! These meetings were definitely the high point of the event. Right now my room looks so empty. For three days there was so much activity happening right here. To add to it, Nupur too had come to stay for those three days. She did come at a time when I was most busy and had not time to talk or discuss anything else. So all we mulled over was THE PARTY. Thus basically the discussion for the party extended even after the students had left, till about 2 at night.

The empty MAZAA bottle reminds me of the lightening speed at which the bottle was opened and its content was gulped down by all. Actually I have to thank Sandeep for this. I don’t drink other cold drinks but Mazaa used to be a favourite, especially during college time. Yashi and I were gripped by ‘Mazaa Mania’ and we used to savor it daily during the exam preparations. (Reminiscing those days when we used to study in the college library for almost eight to ten hours daily. They were such memorable times. I should write about them too, sometime soon). Coming back to the topic, despite loving it so much I had completely forgotten about it. But yesterday when I saw the bottle and Sandeep’s fervor to gulp it down entirely bottle, I was reminded of it again. The sheets of paper lying everywhere – in the drawers, on the table, inside my bag, on the carpet – ring a bell suggesting the amount of planning we had been doing to make the event a grand success, which we eventually did. The golf balls remind me of the time and energy spent in preparing for the games. The time spent in planning the surprise was definitely memorable! Everyone involved with it would definitely agree with me. 

Finally, I would say that this was all possible because of the students. Had they not been so enthusiastic and supportive the event would never have shaped up like this. And yes a special thanks to the people who helped me organize and coordinate the entire event. We have a box full of memories that will be cherished always :)

A group snap, Finally :)

Consistently Inconsistent

My status reads – “Consistently Inconsistent”

A lot of people will identify with this feeling I am sure. I am mostly inconsistent – I'm capricious and tend to get bored awfully fast with situations, things and even people, every so often. But there are times when this feeling is very strong. It is more like a phase and these days I am going through such a period (no pun intended here :P). Nothing appeals to me or fascinates me. And even if it does, it doesn’t hold my attention for long. I start something with great passion but then lose the enthusiasm soon. This explains the numerous drafts in my folder because I just do not have the willpower to finish them. I doubt if I will post this one too. But today I am determined to do so. Let’s see what happens! It is like challenging me and I am already enjoying it :)

Getting back to the topic…I do not like the company of even my closest pals. I just do not feel like talking to anyone. But then again I get irritated with the loneliness. I seek the company of people, I long to share my thoughts, I yearn for a good conversation; it is a vicious circle.

I have currently started reading about 8-9 books and each day I feel like taking up a new one. I tell myself that let others be; I will me start afresh and ensure that I finish this one. But it’s the same story :P

In fact sometimes I even don’t like listening to music. Then it kind of worries me because I really can’t picture life without music. So getting bored with it or not being up to it is unimaginable. But thankfully this is rare and happens for a very short time.

Basically, the whole point is…

Well there I go. I have lost the link…train of thoughts broken! Talk about being inconsistent!!

Now this doesn’t really qualify as a complete post but I will still put it up. That’s about it for now. And I seriously hope to transfer stuff from my drafts to the blog :P

Happy birthday dearest Bhai :)

Wish you a very happy birthday Bhai. This one is indeed very special for you – you are celebrating your 25th Birthday plus your engagement announcement exactly a week ago, adds to the celebration. I am sure all those numerous gifts, warmth and love from my would-be Bhabhi did make you feel special and made your day already. But there are other people too who care, a lot, it is just that they might not express it often. And I am of them.

Well, it is never easy to pen down our feelings for someone who is so dear to us. Sometimes we do not have the apt words, and sometimes it seems like words are not enough to express all that we want to say. When that someone is YOU – it is a Herculean task. And mind you, this is the second time (I shall not miss any opportunity to talk about the testimonial that I wrote for you and the one that is pending from your side ever since :P) I am attempting to write something about the remarkable bond that we share!   You know how our relation has been like. We have grown-up fighting – physical when we were kids and later on verbal, especially in college. We have outgrown those days, as we are matured now. But when I look back at all of it, I have a smile on my face.

Know what? Ever since childhood, I have pretty much been on my own. Most of friends at that time had elder brothers who, by their basic nature, were very possessive. I somehow missed that interference in my life and always wished I too had an elder brother. My friends told me I would not like it and they can really be a pain imposing restrictions and all that stuff. But you know how we always want something we don’t have. Similarly, I wanted someone to keep an eye on me and be concerned about my whereabouts. Things changed as I grew up, because my dominating attitude would not allow me to be under someone’s control. However, the desire to share that bond was always there. And today, I can so proudly say that my wish was granted. In fact I got much more – I got a wonderful friend in a brother.

You would soon be starting a new phase of your life and I wish you all the best. And yes, no matter the distance or time, you will always be a special and an important part of my life. Thanks so much for everything. Love you!

P.S. We don't have a single photograph together!!!!

I'll be there...

This is a poem I came across and loved, instantly. It is dedicated to someone special - You have left a mark in my life in a way that you will perhaps never realise. I will write something for you someday, I want to. But till then, this one is for you :)

I cannot ease your aching heart,

Nor take your pain away;

But let me stay and take your hand

And walk with you today.

I'll listen when you need to talk,

I'll wipe away your tears;

I'll share your worries when they come,

I'll help you face your fears.

I'm here and I will stand by you,

On each hill you have to climb;

So take my hand, let's face the world...

And live just one day at a time.

You're not alone, for I'm still here,

I'll go that extra mile;

And when your grief is easier,

I'll help you learn to smile!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

In the course of our lives we come across several people, befriend quite a many, and finally form close friendships with just a few of them. With time even these close friends depart, at times due to a reason and sometimes without any. We then make new friends, occasionally missing the old ones. And life goes on. However there are some who stick around stubbornly and go on to become a part of our lives. Also there are a number of people we might not be very close to, but they do leave a mark or influence us in some way or the other. It is people like these who make our lives beautiful.

These are those special people who are a part of my world and have left an impression some way or the other. 12 indeed seems like a huge number and mind you this is an only girls list [No specific reason for this]. Sometimes we take them for granted or hesitate to tell them what’s on our mind and how we feel for them. This is effort to let them know that they are indeed special and their presence makes a difference. I share an individual relation with each one of them and there can be no comparisons. But yes, I am fortunate to have known them. Love you all!

I was having difficulty in arranging the order and have finally decided to go chronologically. Starting with the person I met first…

Sweety: Her name says it all – she is sugary, extremely caring and is ready to walk that extra mile anytime for her friends and close ones. People who know her are indeed lucky. I am fortunate enough as we are cousins. But she has been more of a friend. I have admired, respected and loved her ever since I’ve understood the word FRIEND and known the meaning of friendship. Despite being sisters, we have exchanged lots of cards. People called it madness but I actually idealized her those days - always waiting to hear from her, looking forward to her cards and letters. However that was just one side of the picture as life is not just about roses. I am glad we experienced the rough phase as well as now I can say that it is a complete picture.

I had never anticipated having fights or arguments with her but we did and in great style. We did not fight verbally; it was worse – the cold war. The paradox of the situation – when we were far I always wanted to meet her and be with her. But when we were staying together in Delhi, there were times when we did not speak for more than a couple of days. I really do not regret any of it as it has only helped me to understand her better and made me closer to her. I love her lots and wish her the best in life.

Neha: I’ve known her for more than twelve years and I am actually surprised that we are still going strong :P We were five friends in school and our gang was called PINKSTERS. Out of the four of them, I was least close to Neha. I screamed and yelled at her most of the times. If someone told us then that we would be such close buddies ten years down the line, neither of us would have believed it. And the irony is that today I am only in touch with her. Our friendship has stood the test of time.

She has changed a lot over the years, and for the better. Today she is completely different from what she used to be then. But we have been friends during the good and the bad times. I have changed too, but whenever I am with her, I am myself. I effortlessly share my innermost feelings with her and she advises me for a change. I am proud to have a friend like her. Love you baby!

Pooja: She is an absolute sweetheart – one of my rare friends I have not had a fight or an argument with, ever. Knowing me, that’s quite an achievement! I met her in school (Class XI) and there has been no looking back since then. Moreover I am sure she is someone I will be in touch with even twenty years down the line. She is very sweet, caring, down-to-earth and dependable. It has been a smooth ride with her. We have countless memories from good old school days.

Some people say it is difficult for girls to sustain friendship after marriage. That’s absolutely incorrect. She has been married for more than two years but there has been no gap in our friendship and the credit goes to her. On the contrary I am closer to her now than ever before. The credit goes to her mostly as she knows how to maintain relations. I am extremely happy about the fact that she has found a soul mate in her life partner. They are truly a made for each other couple. Wish you all the very best in life honey!

Prachi: Intelligent, outgoing, straightforward, crazy, lazy and total fun – that’s Prachi Gupta for you. It’s a delight to have a friend like her. She has no hang-ups and is absolutely bindaas.

How come you and Prachi are such good pals? That’s the question I am confronted with these days. Our so-called friends raise an eyebrow when they hear that we are close buddies today. But who cares? And why, it is no one’s business actually. So just keep away. (Yeh prayaas tha un dikhawa karne wale doston ko sabak sikhane ka :P)

You rock girl. I am going to miss you bad and life will not be the same without you here. Anyway wish you a happy married life. Lotsa love!! Muah…

Moulshree: We do come across many people in our lives with whom we have an instant connection. We hit off right from the word go. The initial phase is incredibly good and everything seems right. However such relations are known to last for a short while. The charm soon fades. At least that’s how it has been with me.

But once in a lifetime we come across someone we click with immediately and things only get better with time. Moulshree is that person in my life. Met her in the first year of college and there has been no looking back. College was what it was because of her. She is someone I can spend an entire day with doing nothing and still not get bored. Her simplicity is her best virtue. In fact I can now go on to talk about the innumerable good qualities that she possesses and this post will run into pages. I'll write a separate entry on her but for now all I would say is that she is one of my best pals and am assured will always be.

I must have done a thousand good deeds in my past life to have her as a friend.

Nisha: “Best of friends don’t always make the best of roommates.” This is the first thing that strikes me when I think of her. We were roommates for two years in college and have seen all shades of life during that time. Misunderstandings are not uncommon, especially with people you share your room with but the manner in which we dealt with it was absolutely wrong. It was a love and hate relationship. We did have many unpleasant experiences but we also have several wonderful memories. It was just a phase and I am glad we survived. It takes true friendship to pass such tests and ours did.

Nisha is strong-minded, focused and knows what she wants from life. I respect her. Today we are not in regular touch, but that’s not important. I am glad our paths crossed and I had the pleasure of knowing her. She has taught me a lot. We have shared a lot - learning new words, discussing current news and happenings, hanging out together, watching movies, fighting and arguing about petty issues and above all being there for each other. I sure would love to interact more often and share a lot more with her. Guess I’ll take that step :)

Shilpa Sanghai: To be frank, there were 11 names on this list. I was surprised by this number as I had only expected about 8. But somehow it still did not seem complete. I knew someone was missing. I figured out after a while that it was her. And I was not astonished that her name had slipped out of my mind initially as I share an odd but wonderful relation with her. I know her since college; she was a year junior to me and we were in the same PG. I also know that she somewhat hated me in the beginning, courtesy my attitude :P Her opinion of course changed as she got to know the real me.

We have never been in regular touch, not while we were in the pg, not after college, not after that either, despite being in the same city [Strangely enough we have been talking almost daily lately, when she is in Delhi and I am back home, all thanks to Google Talk]. However there always is this comfort that she is there and I can fall back on her, anytime. We speak not more than three or four times a year (on the phone) but whenever we do, we always take off from where we had last left.

I don’t think I have ever told her how I feel about her as it has been a very casual relationship. But it’s true that her presence in my life makes a difference. I respect her for the person she is. I value her opinion and advice.

I know you will do well in life Shilps. Your willpower and perseverance is going to take you places. Lotsa love and good wishes.

Archana: Archana is someone I look up to. We are similar in temperament and perhaps that’s why she understands me so well. I value her advice and whenever there was a dilemma concerning work life, she was the first person I turned to. And she never let me down. I have great respect and faith in her.

Nicky: This is indeed difficult. There is a blog entry on her and I recently wrote a testimonial too. So this will be repeating things. But this list and the whole idea will not be complete if I don’t write about her.

I can write a lot about her, about us, and what she means to me, and yet not get anywhere close to explaining her importance in my life in words. I keep saying it time and again that she is my alter-ego. Of course we are different in many ways but the similarities overpower. She reads my mind, she understands my silence, she knows my various moods, she is aware of my faults - she just knows me inside out. She is a godsend. My life is incomplete without her and I can’t imagine not having her beside me. You know what you mean to me honey.

Amrita: Gentle – that’s how I would describe her in one word. She is soft-spoken and absolutely adorable. More than anything I am amazed at her patience. Not that she doesn’t get stressed or beleaguered, but it doesn’t show up in her demeanor. On the other hand, whenever I was upset or angry in the office, it showed on my face. Everyone could make out there was a problem and I made no efforts to hide it either, as I have always been a straightforward person. This girl sure has some resilience.

Amy was my bitching partner in office. We sat at an arms distance but conversed via chat most of the times. And what fun it was! So much so that it had become a kind of a habit. Sometimes it seemed like we were indulging in it just for the sake of it or maybe because our day would be incomplete without those sessions :P

Amy is a complete family person. Ask her to meet on a Sunday and she would instantly refuse as Sundays were meant to be at home. In fact she sometimes expressed her disapproval about me being in Delhi, away from home and family.

I admire her for all of this, basically for the person that she is.

Sanna: She is absolutely bindaas. I’ve known her for a short while but it has been a great experience. She has a charming personality and is liked by all. Hanging out with her is absolute fun. She is a no-nonsense, in your face kind of a person. Sometimes she can be very blunt but that’s better then maintaining double standards. In fact I respect her for being straightforward and clear. Then there is this other side to her too – soft, caring and thoughtful. She is very dear to me and I am glad I know her. Love you darling and miss you – Barista, coffee, Big Chill; basically your company!

Joyeeta: There already in a dedicated blog entry on her and so there is nothing much to say but yes I am happy we met. Of all the people mentioned here I came across her last but it seems like it was predestined. Even though we were together only for a short while, we have infinite memories. That’s why whenever we talk, we are always stuck up with remember this and remember that :)

What a roller coaster ride it was! Just being with her was absolutely entertaining, no matter where we were – at work, at my place, watching movies, hanging out in CCD, shopping or any other place. It was just so entertaining. Here I must mention that we make perfect partners when it comes to watching movies. Movie watching had never been so much fun before and I am sure we will never find someone better. What I liked most about her company was that I was always myself and it came very naturally. I could say anything and do as my heart pleased and she would just be a part of it. She has left an everlasting impression and I really look forward to more fun times together, especially watching movies again. God I so miss it.

P.S. Two pictures are missing here. Will add them soon.