Pink

Film: Pink
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari, Andrea Tarian, Piyush Mishra, Dhritiman Chatterjee
Director: Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury

I was eager to watch Pink ever since the official trailer was out.  I was drawn mostly because of the sensitive subject. And I loved Shoojit Sircar's all films be it his directions or productions. There will always be a content in his films. 

Plot: Three women, Minal Arora (Taapsee Pannu), Falak Ali (Kirti Kulhari), and Andrea Tariang) are roommates staying in South Delhi. They meet three men at a rock concert of which one is Minal's schoolmate. They go out for dinner at a resort in Surajkund. A guy starts molesting Minal and she smashes a bottle on his head. The girls ran off and injured man is admitted to the hospital by others. The girls refrain from complaining to the authority thinking they will just move on. However, the boys start harassing them and threatening them. They even kidnap Minal for a brief period and molests her in the car, which was witnessed by Deepak Sehgal (Amitabh Bachchan). When the girls are contemplating about the future course of action, an FIR is registered against Minal of attempt to murder and soliciting money for prostitution. And others are co-acused.

Deepak Sehal, a neighbor and retired criminal lawyer comes to the rescue of the girls. His formidable opponent is Prashant Mehra (Piyush Mishra) whose single point agenda is to prove the girls as prostitutes. Hence starts the gritty courtroom drama. All personal and intimate questions are asked to build and assassinate the character of each girl. We will all know how it ends because our beloved Bachchan cannot lose and we don't want him to. The onward journey is thrilling, bold, and insatiable.

Performance by each and everyone is outstanding. It is nice to see Taapsee in a commendable role for a change. After seeing her in many Southern movies playing almost similar roles, I wrote her off as just another pretty face. I'm wrong. The girl can act, brilliantly in fact. No one could have done justice to the role of opposition lawyer as Piyush Mishra. He is menacing, formidable, and evokes instant dislike effortlessly.

There is absolutely no words to describe Bacchan's performance. If "PINK" is going to be a social movement, no one I say 'NO ONE" could have conveyed the message beautifully. He is a powerhouse of acting.

The whole movies boils down to one single point "Consent".

When a girl says no, she could be your girlfriend, friend, date, sex worker, or even your wife, it means "NO" in bold. I don't know how many people are aware of the word consent in this country. If they are ignorant of this fact, let this movie enlighten them. And for feudal mindset nothing going to change them because they are prisoners of misguided tradition and I can only pray for their painful death.

This movie is a tight slap on the patriarchal society who condemn, judge, and degrade women on the basis of length of their skirt, time to return home, living alone in a big city, her habits, her lifestyle. Pink is an exceptional movie with a strong social message; however; it never is preachy with its solid screenplay.

Do yourself a favour and go watch PINK. Don't wait for the weekend. Break the weekday routine and make time for it. It is not every day you get to watch something like Pink.

PS: What actually transpired between the men and women is shown as end credit roles. So if you are a person to rush out immediately after the movie, be patient until the end.

After You

“I loved a man who had opened up a world to me but hadn’t loved me enough to stay in it.” 

I picked up this book without realizing there was a prequel to it. It is only halfway through the book I felt something is missing and I was right. "After You" indeed had a well-known prequel named "Me Before You" and a film adaptation too starring Khaleesi of GOT fame Emilia Clark. Now there are two options in front of me; one to order the first book, finish it off, and continue reading the second; another, just continue with the current book as a stand alone. And I chose the second option.

The story of Louisa Clark begins after 18 months of Will Trantor's death. Now she lives in a flat in east London, which she purchased from Will's money. She is stuck in a meaningless job at the city airport's pub. She keeps cold distance from her family. But an unfortunate accidents forces her to move in with her parents for recuperation.  Her father is worried about her mental health coerces her to attend a therapy group, aptly named "Moving On". The falling off the roof incident introduces two new people in Louisa's life; one ambulance Sam with whom she romantically gets involved eventually; another, Lily, a 16-year-old teenager.

The other supporting characters are Lou's parents, her sister, nephew; Will's parents; and Lily's mother. The angle where Lou's mother's new found feminism and her father's difficulty in coping with it is quite amusing. Who is Lily? Will she be able to help Louisa to move on in life?

Louisa greatly suffers from grief of losing Will and guilt of helping him end his life. This is where I thought I should have read the first book because I'm unable to feel the love and loss in Lou's life. Maybe I would have felt different if I had read the prequel. Nonetheless as a stand alone it is pretty decent read. And this is the book that introduced me to the author Jojo Moyes.

Raman Raghav 2.0

Film:  Raman Raghav 2.0
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vicky Kaushal
Director: Anurag Kashyap

Movie begins with the disclaimer "It is not about the 1960's serial killer Raman Raghav". Raman (Nawazuddin) is a serial killer who hacks his victims to death with an iron rod. He thinks himself as a messenger of God to eliminate people. He loiters aimlessly in slums, rundown apartments, markets, and busy roads. There is no purpose or intent for his killing.

Raghav (Vicky Kaushal), Assistant Commissioner of police is the investigating officer in this case. He does not believe Raman's confession to crimes when he surrenders himself. However, Raman escapes the police custody. He goes in for a few more kill including his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew.

Raman firmly believes Raghav to be his soulmate, another messenger from God to kill people. Raghav is a misogynist cop who snorts drugs, treats his girlfriend like shit is as deadly as Raman. Only difference is he is on the other side of law.

One day Raghav brings another girl to his girlfriend's house. In an altercation he accidentally kills his girlfriend. Now everyone knows Raman is stalking Raghav. What happens next? What happens to the other girl who witnessed the murder?

A psychological thriller that is definitely not for the faint hearts. It is grim, gruesome, and totally dark. The movie is split in chapters in Quentin Tarantino style.

We have seen a lot of psychos onscreen and they all looked similar so far. But Nawaz has set the bars high now. His transformation from poor homeless man to maniac beast to eccentric monster is spell bounding. Seeing pure pleasure in his twinkling eyes after each kill sends shiver down your spine. The scene where Raman meets Raghav is comical, sublime, and so natural.

I loved Vicky Kaushal in Masaan. He has done total justice to the role of Raghav, brooding, menacing, and ruthless.

Every minute detail is taken care of. A lot of research has gone into the making. The location varies from dark dingy rooms to slums to high rise apartments. Most of the violence happens off the screen, so all the gory details are left to our imagination. Out and out Anurag Kashyap movie. I could see my young cousins squirming in their seat and for them it is not an easy watch. However, I loved it as it is psychological thriller, which is my favoured genre.

August Update

The month started with anticipation of a small holiday on Independence day weekend. The original plan was something else, but we could not get the hotel booking. So, Bijapur was our plan B. It was in our to-do list for a very long time. We were waiting for 5 days of leaves to club it with Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal. The distance was 500 odd kilometers. And we realized during the research that Bijapur is much more than Gol Gumbaz. The place was finalized so was the booking. The drive was wonderful to say the least. I suggest everyone to travel the length and breadth of Karnataka in Monsoon to soak in the beauty bested upon by nature. The best pat about traveling is to forget everything about the routine.

The movies we watched this month is deduced to only four. They are Sarabjeet, Raman Raghav, Hyderabad Blues, and Sardar Gabbar Singh. As our weekdays are exclusive for "Breaking Bad and weekends devoted to socializing with family and friends, it is a phenomenon that we were able catch up with few films.

The books I read are limited as well. They are Bostan Girl, After your, and Landline. In this pace will I ever be able to reach my goal of 50 books this year? Life has been blisfully busy.

This is the month I decided to let go off few people from my life. No, I'm not cutting them off my life. It is just that I'm done with being the one to keep in touch always. Nobody is that busy to keep in touch unless of course they are running multibillion conglometer or powerful world leaders. And sadly I don't know anyone personally of these categories. Each and every relationship needs relentless effort to work out. I have witnessed kinship dying a slow, painful death personally and my heart is not ready to revive it yet or anytime sooner.

Now tell me how was your August?

The Boston Girl

“As far as I can tell, common sense hasn’t been in fashion for a long time.” 

Boston Girl by Anita Diamant is transcript of a tape-recorded monologue delivered by an 85-year-old woman called Addie Baum. She was asked by her granddaughter how she got to be the person she is today. Addie takes us back to 1990, the year she was born.

Addie is the daughter of Jewish immigrants who settled down in Boston. She has two elder sisters, Betty and Celia. She is the first in the family to go to school. She learns how to use typewriting and takes Shakespeare classes. To escape her mother's suffocating behavior, She attends Saturday club where she meets women of other classes who introduce her to books, theater, games, and leisurely activities which were scandalous back then.

Her sister Celia commits suicide. She loses two of her nephews to Spanish flu. After initial debacles with men, she finds her "fella" in Aaron, a lawyer who believes in fighting for social causes. In a course of time she becomes a writer and subsequently starts teaching at Boston University.

Though not in a great detail The Boston Girl touches the event of immigration, women's suffrage, world war I and II, Spanish flu, great depression. It explores the cultural difference between immigrants and natives and how it affects the relationships. Addie's tumultuous relationship with her eternal unhappy mother who hates everything about America is quite engaging.

It is a memoir, an easy read. I would love to hear the story of my grandmother like this. Certainly it gave me an idea to ask about her childhood, adolescence, and the journey of life. Living almost a century is not an easy feast. I digress.

I finished it off in two days between tight schedule. Other than a few tragedies it is all hunky dory. I don't say it is an excellent piece of work, nonetheless a good read.

“Even a broken clock is right twice every day.” 

Chores

It is a post I shared in FB inspired this jotting. Facebook is not utterly useless after all I must say.

People accuse me of being feminist as if it is contagious. Yes, I'm a feminist and I wear that badge proudly and unapologetically. I started noticing feminism streak in my childhood and it all boils down to the title of this post "Chores".

One fine day my grandmother asks me to do particular chore like sweeping or mopping. Positioning myself comfortably in front of television I directed at my elder cousin who is sitting idly beside and said "why can't he do it". Her reply was simple "He is a boy". I snarled at her with one word "So?" Her refusal to make her darling grandson work made me much more determined not to do any work at all. When I talk about it now, my grandmother graciously accepts it was a mistake on her part and now she believes each and everyone should learn the basic chores and be self-sufficient. My mother never differentiated despite me having two brothers.

My father is a man who helps my mother in all aspects of household chores. He never sat lazily in front of TV and ordered for anything. I'm told he is the most hands-on-dad while raising the three of us. I clearly remember he combing my hair and doing high ponytail in my 11th and 12th standard for the whole two years. He is still the same. Now he is the most hands-on-granddad to my 4-year-old nephew.

And ditto for my uncle. He shares a greater part of chores with my aunt and grandmother. My other aunts used to make snide remarks at him for doing "womanly" chores. But he neither cared nor stopped doing it. My understanding is that my aunts were pure jealous because their husbands are nothing of that sort. They even proudly announce at family functions of not allowing their husbands to lift a finger. I control my urge to blurt out "Are they handicapped?

I have witnessed the hostesses running around like headless chickens trying to multitask while their respective husbands plonking on their useless glued asses when we were invited by friends and family alike. It makes me feel so sorry for them and I try to help because of guilt. I'm yet to see a couple who shares equal responsibilities when we are invited and allow me to have food in peace.

One of my friends said she hates somebody serving her husband tea instead of her. Sounds all romantic. The same friend was speechless when being asked "Will your husband serves you tea too?

In our household we share responsibilities; however, it is not exactly 50-50 split. And as I'm a control freak and suffers from borderline OCD, I want work to be done in certain way. our rule is simple "No my work or your work, it is our work" and it suits us. Marrying the son of a career woman definitely has the edge in this aspect. And the fact that he is totally into you is just cherry on top.

The Killing Fields

We stumbled upon this movie while researching for Cambodia trip last year. We opted to stay in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia to visit the real gory site and museum. Until then I was totally ignorant of this genocide which wiped off 1/4 part of Cambodian population. The movies was released in 1984, winning three Academy awards. 

Based on true story of an American journalist, Sydney Schanberg of New York Times "The Life and Death of Dith Pran." Sydney was deployed in Phnom Penh in the early 70s to cover the civil war in Cambodia between Cambodian National Army and Khmer Rouge, a result of Vietnam war. Here he collaborates with Dith Pran, a Cambodian journalist and interpreter who also works for New York Times. As Khmer Rouge (barbarians at their best) closes in, international embassies decide to evacuate their personnel and Dith sends off his family to USA, but stays back with Sydney. The situation gets worse as Khmer Rouge orders all the Cambodian citizens to be turned in. Sydney and others manage to flee, but Pran is unable due to his passport. 

Khmer Rouge ordered cities to be evacuated in an attempt create isolation. He is now caught in Pol Pot's "Year Zero" program. All educated people are killed including doctors, lawyers, teachers, journalists. He fakes of being illiterate. He somehow manages to survive in the prison camp where he was starved and tortured. Eventually he escapes and reaches Red Cross Camp near the border of Thailand.

Sidney wins the Pultizer prize for his coverage of the Cambodian conflict, however, is accused by Rockoff (a friend who was there in Cambodia) of not doing enough to rescue Pran.

It is impossible not to be disturbed by the movie. Now overridden with guilt Sydney reaches the Red Cross Camp, reunites with Pran, and asks for forgiveness. And Pran's reply was "nothing to forgive Sydney" tells volume about the character. It depicts the darkest period of history where 2 million people were died due to starvation, brutality, torture, and pure hatred.

Pran's determination to overcome all odds and survive is a lesson to all human kind.  A scene where he make a small cut on a cow to drink blood is the most heart wrenching. Pran played by Dr. Haing Ngor is a surviver of Khmer Rouge is the perfect cast. His performance is brilliant and natural for a nonactor. It is sad to know he was shot dead in 1996 in Los Angeles. 

I have watched it after 31 years of its release and I say this is one of those timeless movies. It captures atrocities of Cambodian civil war, Khmer Rouge, and genocide distinctly. Despite this it tells the compassion and friendship grows even during the hardest time.

It is an intense journey of adventure and tragedy. And after seeing the real Killing Fields, I can vouch this film is well researched and superbly made. It stands testimonial to savagery of human race. Make time for it.

Parva

If somebody asks me to pick one book that tops my reading list it would be Parva. A Kannada novel Written by veteran S.L.Byrappa based on epic Mahabharata. This has been translated to several languages.

It was my father who recommended the book. He had the copy, which was brought in early 80s. It was in a very fragile condition by then. He explained it was borrowed by many back then and was debated in fervor. I started it immediately after my 10th board exam. From then onwards I would have read it 8 to 10 times and know the story and characters like back of my hand.

Now a days there are 100 versions of epic Mahabharatha out there and nothing comes close to S.L.Byrappa's Parva. The story begins at the end of Vanavasa (12 year of exile in forest) and Ajnatavasa (1 year in disguise). Both Kauravas and Pandavas are now on the quest to collect warriors to fight for them. It is narrated in different point of view of many characters such as Kunti, Bhima, Draupadi, Arjuna, Satyaki, Karna, Dhuryodhana and so on.

As much as I love all the characters it is Draupadi who stands out to me. A royal princess, married to the most powerful men of that time, her life is nothing but bed of roses. It is a feat to read her transforming from a innocent, coy bride to her strength displayed at the time of infamous disrobing to her unshakable determination to seek justice. She falls out of love with handsome and romantic Arjuna for various reasons.  She opts for more caring and compassionate Bhima at later part. Her repulsion towards Dharmaraya is evident though she is bound by duties to treat all her husbands equally.

All the characters here are mere humans and not gods or demi-gods even the mighty Krishna. They do not possess any supernatural powers. And all born through natural process of "the birds and the bees", not by boons granted to Kunti by sage Durvasa.

Byrappa created the most believable characters with flaws just like how we human beings are. Author spent years traveling all over India. His research mainly consists of geography, anthropology, techniques of warfare, socio-cultural detail, and philosophical approach. He took sabbatical from his new job to do all that. He is totally impartial to all the characters he created. It is rather hard for an author because somewhere down the line he is prone to fall in love with one character 
more than the rest.

I'm reluctant to read the English version of Parva for the fear of losing its magic in translation. And nothing can be compared with reading the book in its original language. My father and I still debate about it whenever the topic of Mahabharata comes up. For us "Parva" is the holy magnum opus.

Holy Thread

I have been questioned many times in the last four years of marriage "Why I don't wear Thali (a thread/metal neck piece most married Indian women wear) by relatives ans acquaintances. I would have given different answers to different people depending on their brain size.

The real reason is "I don't believe in these symbols of marriage." Ours was a traditional Hindu wedding and Mangalya Dharana (tying sacred thread around bride's neck by groom) takes a major role as per rituals. I was on the edge the whole day of my wedding and that moment was not etched in my memory. We have to see the wedding photos to realize it. It was a summer wedding and all I wanted was the day to end. One has to visit coastal Karnataka to understand this.

I wore it just for a week untill all the mandatory customs ended. People say removing Thali will shorten your husband's life. I could give millions of examples where husbands died untimely despite their respective wives wearing Thalis. My grandmother is one among them. So logically this couldn't hold any good.

When questioned people come up with default answer of "Indian culture. I detest such hypocrisy. A woman has to wear this symbol so that her husband can live long. What about the woman? Her life doesn't have any value? Is this why Indian culture treats widows badly? Stigmatizing and ripping them off of their honor to lead a normal life in society? 

I'm not an airheaded to believe my husband's life expectancy is directly proportioned to a thread I wear around my neck.

And I don't have the need to prove to the world that I'm married. My family knows it, my friends know it, my employer knows it, and most importantly my personal banker knows it. That should suffice I guess.

My love and commitment to Hubby was present much more longer than our societal approved 'marital status'. I wear them only if it compliments certain outfits, purely for aesthetic purposes, nothing more nothing less.

Having said that I'm not against married women adorning all the marital trademarks. In fact I love seeing them as I don't watch Indian serials these days (pun unintended). I believe it is just a matter of personal choice. And nobody should be forced to wear it against their wishes.

And luckily I'm married to a secured man who strongly believes marriage is much more than mere symbols.

Travel

As a kid the only travel we did was visiting temples. My father's definition of traveling was restricted to that. Most of our holidays were spent at grandmother's place. It was in my High school that my parents allowed me to go on a day trip. It was fun being with friends in a different set up than the school premises. During college days I have traveled to a few places. The longest is one-week tour to Ooty, Kodaikanal, Munnar, Kochin, and Coimbatore. I remember looking at beautiful tea plantation in Munnar and promising myself to return again, and I did visit all the places once again.

The actual travel bug bit me only a couple of years ago. It was actually a visit to Belur-Halebidu-Shravanabelagola eight years back that sealed the deal for us. It was the zen moment for both Hubby and me. We realized our passion for monuments, history, nature, curiosity to know different cultures and life style, and understand the world better. And that is how our journey started.

We are a mix breed who do both travel as well as touristy stuff. As much as we would love to go off-the-beaten-track, we wouldn't miss a popular must-see-place for anything as we know a particular place is popular for a reason. It is like visiting Agra and not seeing Taj Mahal or visiting Paris and not seeing Eiffel Tower. 

Each and every trip of ours is planned and executed by us. We have not gone on any package holidays so far. They are just not for us. There is a kind of Adrenalin rush in planning a trip which we wouldn't miss for anything. We decided to leave the package holiday for our old age and the only thing we want then would be peace and luxury.

Some people really appreciates our travel and asks for advice here and there. Others just say 'If we are like you, we would be doing much more traveling than you'. I still don't understand what exactly is 'like you'. But i just nod along and smile as if I totally get them.

It is amazing to have a life-partner who share the same passion of traveling. All I want is the zeal to work for travel fund, good health, and a long life together to create beautiful memories and to leave our foot prints almost everywhere.

Landline

Landline by Rainbow Rowell won Goodreads best fiction in 2014 and that is how I came to know about this book as well as the writer. This is author's fourth book and mine first.

Georgie McCool gets an opportunity to have her own TV Show with a major broadcaster, which she has dreamt and worked towards relentlessly with her friend, Seth of 20 years. Only glitch is she is all set to fly off to Omaha, Nebraska with her family to celebrate Christmas with her mother-in-law. She cancels the travel much to the chagrin of her husband Neal, who in return take their two children and goes off to Omaha as planned. She finds herself alone and decides to crash at her mother's place until their return. Neal is not picking her calls, that worries her endlessly. She reminiscences about her 14 year of marriage during this time. Neal takes her call when she calls from her childhood landline and he is not the same Neal. It is the Neal of 1998 a week before his proposal. She wonders about having hallucinations. How she comes to terms with marriage? How she understands her marriage is falling apart?

Georgie is totally a unrelatable character. She is a comedy writer by profession, but could not make me smile even once. And Neal is a guy who hardly smiles and has a wasted dimples. He is selfish, mean, and jealous of her success. I don't understand why anyone wants to stay married to this guy even if he takes care of the house and children. Or may be that is the only reason she puts up with him as 90% mothers do. It is not clearly explained why she fell in love with him in the first place. Even though it is portrayed as Georgie having a successful career, all I can read is her grumbling and brooding. Neal and Georgie's relationship failed a big time here. Georgie's mother and sister's characters are little enjoyable though. 

I was bored after reaching 10th page. The story revolves around Georgie making call to her husband, going to work, coming back to her mother's place, and calling again from landline. Next day, again the same drill. I had to force myself to continue reading, and completing it is not a small task. I'm told the author's earlier works are much better, but I'm not in a mood to try them yet.

Book Sniffer

I'm a chronic book sniffer. As soon as the book delivers, the first thing I do is sniff it. It is not only the new books. I love to smell the old books too in between reading. It makes reading much more real for me.

During my visit to book store, it is a humongous effort to control my urge to sniff for the fear of people thinking I'm crazy or rather dread of being reprimanded by store persons. However, sometimes I move to a farthest corner away from everyone's eyes and take that big whiff. The feeling is ecstatic.

Now a days I miss visiting public library where the entire area puffs off delectable 'booky' aroma. I know there are many out there who share this fetish of mine. 

What about you? Are you a book sniffer? Or the one who has not done it ever?

Flashback July

The month began with a visit to parents' and in-law. We have not visited native during Jackfruit season. Hubby wanted to try the delicacies made out of this fruit. Dad told me to confirm the visit one week before, so they can make necessary arrangements.

Mom made Kadubu for lunch, which was delicious to say the least. I had to swallow my drool as I type this. Another item was Mulka (pakoda). Mom fed us gluttons continuously untill we couldn't take anymore. Two hours after this came the mouthwatering fruit pods. As much as I do love delicacies of fruit, nothing can be compared to the taste of real fruit. Eating Jackfruit is sticky business literally. There are two varieties, Bokke and Imba. Bokke is my favourite. It is crunchy and juicy wherein Imba is much more sweeter, but soft and sloppy.

Another added value to the journey is driving through the western ghats. The beauty of western ghats in monsoon is unparalleled to anything else. The thick evergreen forest blooms with flora and fauna. We are bound to witness minimum one or two falls on the way to parent's from in-law's place. And every time I couldn't contain myself singing famous "Jogada Siri Belakinalli" song. The vast mountain range is UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason.

We have watched couple of movies this month. They are Sultan, TE3N, Fan, Azar, One night stand, Shaukeen, Tere bin Laden 2, and Demolition. My reading progressed a little better with me completing 3 books, Spirit Bound, Last Sacrifice, and The Luckiest Girl Alive.  Another epic show ended for us this month as well that is Downton Abbey. I bid adieu teary eyed to much treasured characters not before promising to visit them Again. And we are all set to "Breaking Bad" for another two months. 

Baby sister M2 joined college. The last weekend saw me arranging things and helping her settle down in this new city. As youngest among cousins she was pampered the most and Ammamma's favourite. The separation is taking toll on both of them. And I'm certain this "Empty Nest Syndrome" will have its effect on her parents as well as Ammamma for quite some time.

So, how was your July folks?

TE3N

Film: Te3n
Director: Ribhu Dasgupta
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vidya Balan

One of the reasons to pique my attention of this film is the way the title is written. Another surely is the star cast. It is not every day one get to see three good actors sharing screen space. The movie is inspired by the Korean movie "Montage".

John Biswas (Bachchan Sr) lives in Kolkata with his wheelchairbound wife. He visits police station every day to find out about the kidnapper to whom he lost his granddaughter, Angela 8 years ago. Now he suddenly stumbles upon a clue that may lead him to the culprit. He goes to Father Martin Das (Siddiqui) for assistance who is a police office-turned-priest and the one who handled the Angela's case 8 years back. He is not thrilled about it, however, goes along with John as a mean of pacification.

In the meanwhile, another child is being kidnaped almost in the same manner as John's grandkid. Saritha (Balan) is in-charge of the case ans she seeks Martin's help because of his experience with prior case. Both the investigation runs parallel with flashbacks in between.

Performance by lead actors are solid. Vidya Balan's name is credited as guest appearance, though she has more presence than that. Has she done this film for free? Bacchan's performace is superb. It is nice to watch him in a very ordinary, middle class role. He is a man consumed by guilt of not being able protect his grandchild. His unwillingness to move on is a feat to watch. Siddiqi is natural and spendid as he usually is. 

I'm presuming title is for three people, a grandfather (who lost his granddaughter to kidnapping 8 years ago), police- officer-turned priest, and police office coming together to nab the kidnapper.

First 30 minutes of the film is tad bit slow. It gives an insight into how John and priest are interlinked with same tragedy.

Though I can give myself the credit of finding out "Whodunit" in the end I dismissed it and that is the beauty of a thriller. You keep speculating and proven wrong until the very end. The excitement, curiosity, and intruge will keep you glued to the seat. I loved Bachchan's performance; however, could not shrug off comparing his role in Wazir, which is almost same.

Happy 100

A day to celebrate. I completed 100 Blog posts yesterday. A-year-and-a-half ago I started this blog as to jot down my experience, views, rants, memory, dreams, basically the journey called life. I have shared my blog only with few near and dear ones. To write anonymously was my choice. I'm a very private person and intend to keep it that way. One more reason could be the topics I write. No matter how considerate and careful you are, there are people out there to get offended. And I'm not a person to keep my calm in a steamy discussion or fight. Being the imaginative person I'm, I have plenty of issues and stories to be a insomniac. So, I don't want any slandering or negativity in my life.

Fast forward 16 months, I have reached a milestone of marking the 100. I write only on topics which are close to my heart. I really enjoy myself going back and reading some of my old posts. I promised myself in the beginning of the year to be consistent with posts and I tried my best to keep up with that.


On this day, I want to thank people who follow this blog regularly because your reading is the biggest appreciation I could ever get. And I also thank people who stumbles upon this blog occasionally. Last but not least, I thank people who divinely ignored my blog despite sharing the blog name. I think one day I'l be successful to write something interesting and worth your attention.

Happy century. Yeeeeeee

Luckiest Girl Alive

"Moving on doesn't mean you don't talk about it. Or hurt about it. It's always going to hurt."

When I hear a book name with 'Girl' in it, I bound to think it is either of mystery or thriller genre. Gone girl, The Girl On The Train, The Girl With The Dragon Tatto are the few books which made me to believe so. And I was right. It is a debut novel by Jessica Knoll.

TifAni is living her dream life as editor of the women's magazine in New York. She is engaged to Luke Harrison, filthy rich and belongs to the "right kind" of family. She wears her clothes right and flaunts emerald engagement ring as an armor. With a dream wedding only a few months away, she agrees to be part of a documentary about an incident of 14 years old.

Yes, she has a rather dark past. She attended prestigious Bradley School in Main Line, Philadelphia. Like all teenagers she wants to be part of the popular group. She has a crush on Liam, a fresher like her.  Eventually she becomes friends with the cool kids. She is invited to a house party by famous boys. She drinks a lot and sloshed out. She wakes up next morning only to realize she is being raped by three boys. The doctor she saw for "morning after pill" is unwilling to call it rape as most of her schoolmates. She is being taunted, bullied, and tormented. Yet, she wanted to be in good books of her tormentors. Another horrific tragedy hits the school, which Ani becomes part of. 

She wants to make peace with the past. She wants a closure, so she can move on with her perfect life, the one which she has worked so hard to get. Now is the chance to tell how she is "the luckiest girl alive".

I think I'm accustomed now to protagonist being nasty because Ani is one. She is mean, obnoxious, superficial, and shallow.
I know I have to sympathize with her after being through such tragedy, but I couldn't. And writer did not make any attempt to portray her otherwise. I appreciate her for that.

The story toggles between past and present. The writing is captivating, though of a different style. It starts off as annoying only to be developed as engrossing. The ending could have been different, but I'm not fretting much. All in all a fitting debut for an author. I'm shocked to know author herself is a rape survivor and that makes the story much more credible.

Downton Abbey

There is always a void and sadness when an epic show ends. I was unwilling to watch the grand finale of Downton Abbey. Hubby convinced me that we will watch it from the beginning after sometime. I'm sure many share my feelings. I have cried with it, laughed with it, I have fallen in love with them, I have lived with them these past two months.

Downton Abbey a historical period drama created by Julian Fellowes, a Baron and married to an heir. Who could tell a better story than him? I have read many historical novels, mostly of Barbara Cartland whose characters are always around noble men and women, but a drama in TV show, it is the first time.

Downton Abbey is set in fictional town of Yorkshire County Estate between the time period of 1912 and 1925. It depicts the story of Robert Crawley, 7th earl of Grantham, his American wife Cora, their three daughters (Mary, Edith, Sybil), and their near and dear ones. Simultaneously it follows the lives their servants in downstairs. 

The title and estate will go to male heir next in line because of the entail as Robert has three daughters and no son. He married American heiress, Cora with an intent to solve financial difficulties. Now that money is integrated to the entail. Elder daughter Lady Mary is betrothed to heir-presumptive who dies in RMS Titanic sinking. That makes Matthew Crawley, a lawyer from Manchester the new heir.

John Bates, Earl's new valet arrives in Downton. He has an adversary in Thomas Barrow who is determined to see Bates leave so he can go back to his position as valet. This is just the beginning. It is next to impossible to narrate the whole story.

The series involves major historic events like sinking of RMS Titanic, Suffragist, first world war, Spanish influenza pandemic, formation of Irish free state, Jallianwala Bagh massacre, UK's general election, etc.

It is about changing time and acceptances. Lady Sybil's marriage to family chauffeur, Tom Branson tells you about the class barrier. Lady Mary's almost scandalized one-night stand with Turkish ambassador and how she was called damaged goods by her mother gives glimpse of women's oppression. And not to forget Edith's unmarried status and later child out of wedlock. A gay character in the role of Thomas Barrow is most despised for his scheming nature.

Stunning sets, beautiful costumes, exquisite hair styles, crisp dialogue, gripping narration, splendid music, brilliant casting, and powerhouse of acting by each and every characters makes Downton an epic drama. I cannot decide on which is my favorite role because I loved them all. However, the one role that entertained me the most was Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Granthm. And the the one character I look up to and inspire to be one is Isobel crawley, widowed mother of Matthew Crawley. She is liberal, forward in thinking, appreciates the importance of education, and always trying to help the poor and destitute. As a trained nurse she works during first world war and later stars working for sex workers and holds her ground by employing one.

And Highclere castle is on my to-see list whenever I get the chance to visit UK. 

I highly recommend "Downton Abbey" if you love period drama and a stellar performance.

Small Joys

Today I asked hubby to step on the sun-dried mat and feel the fluffiness. After a few moments, he told I'm the luckiest girl because I find happiness in tiniest things. That got me thinking and these are the few things that made me happy this week.    

• Climbing into bed with fresh sheets.
• Going to bed cuddling.
• Watching rainfall when I have nowhere to go.
• Listening to "Pashmina" song.
• Aroma of eucalyptus whipping out of dispenser.
• A piece of chocolate after each meal.
• Reading book (M&B) putting feet up.
• Waking up early only to realize I have two more hours to sleep.
• Hissing sound of hot vessel under running water.
• Sun-dried fluffy mats.
• First sip of chilled beer.
• Watching Downton Abbey.
• Planning holiday.

Mills and Boon

Mills and Boons were my guilty pleasure. Before I was out of college I had finished off 50 or odd books. I still remember my first M & B,'Dangerous Marriage'. Though I have forgotten about the characters, I vividly recall the plot.

I even have a few books in my collection. Now I have moved on to different genres, however, Mills and Boon will hold a special place in my heart. I have devoured over them like there is no tomorrow. Drop dead gorgeous heroin, even more hunk of a hero, and predictable happy ending. These three main ingredients make the perfect M & B romance. I used to feel a little ashamed to admit I enjoyed those books, but not anymore.

Mills and Boon was founded by Gerald Mills and Charles Boon in 1908. However in 1971 Canadian company Harlequin Enterprises bought the publisher. They publish 720 novels a year on an average. Earlier it used to be only western writers. Now Harper Collins publishes romances under the Mills and Boon, Harlequin, and H imprints of Indian writers. I have not read any of the recent published novels.

A tall, dark, handsome hero who will be filthy rich to boot. Mostly he will be a self-made man, brooding over the past, in control of everything, passionate, charming, tougher facade with a heart of gold. A beautiful heroin, a combination of innocence and feisty, mostly by default a virgin. They meet, they fall head over heels in love, they fight, they misunderstand, they doubt, and at the end they acknowledge their undying love. He, the prince charming riding in white horse to save the damsel in distress. Sensuality, sexual tension, emotional conflicts, glamorous setting and location, and believable theme is what makes successful M & B. All the books I have read are of 70s, 80s, or 90s. So I really don't know how they are now or what have changed in 20 odd years.  I am told by a friend that female characters have evolved to a great length and are not just submissive to their male counterpart.

My M & B fix was a temporary one. It has been ages since I have got my hands on any such novels. I feel sheepish to invest money on them just for one read. If somebody is worried what to gift me for my birthdays or anniversaries, book is the best bet you have as I don't get tired of them and definitely I wouldn't mind a set of Harlequin romance (M & B).

Olfactory/Memory

Today I was applying lip gloss which I have purchased almost a year back. Nivea Pearly Shine. I liked the light pink hues and bought it instantly.  Though it kept lips soft and supple, my lips looked ashy. Hence I stopped using it. Yesterday, I found it in a box and decided to give it a chance. The moment I applied, it brought back the vivid memory of Cambodia where we holidayed last year. I know that was the time I started using it. It always happens. Smell has the power to invoke oldest memories hidden in the corner of our mind. A smell in the whip of air triggering emotions as well as related memory.

Scientific reason is "Smell is first processed by Olfactory bulb which starts inside the nose and runs along the bottom of the brain. The bulb has direct connection with amygdala and hippocampus, the two areas that implicates in emotion and memory."

I absolutely don't remember studying about these areas in college. I remember mugging cranial nerves XII with a Mnemonic, which goes something like "One Of Our Training Teacher Asked For....." that I am unable to recall now. However, it is a mnemonic from Sidney Sheldon's "Nothing Lasts Forever" I memorized the best. "Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Virgin Girl's Vagina Ah Heaven." Though I am appalled and insulted of this sexist mnemonic, I learned it well.

For the layman, Cranial nerves are 12 pairs of nerves situated on the bottom surface of the brain. Some of these nerves bring information from the sense organs to the brain, some control muscles, some connected to glands and organs such as heart and lungs. They are Olfactory, Optic, Occulomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducens, Facial, Vestibulococchlear, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, and Hypoglossal. Now read the mnemonic again.

Recently I came to know about another mnemonic, which could have helped in memorizing the types of above said nerves, whether they are sensory, motor, or both in an order. It goes like this "Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More. Is it dirty stuff easy to remember? It is in my case.

Last Sacrifice

"My death will not be penciled on someone's calendar"

Rose Hathway is imprisoned for the murder of Moroi Queen, Tatiana. And if proven guilty in trial the punishment is death. Her friends manage to break the prison with her father's help. She is now on the run with Dimitri and Sidney (the alchemist from Blood Promise). Even though Rose was instructed to stay put, she couldn't keep idle while she has Queen Tatiana's letter concerning Lissa's illegitimate sister/brother. Sonya Karp (her previous teacher) is the only lead to finding out their whereabouts who is a Strigoi now. Lissa is encouraged to run for Queen's election to bid more time to prove Rose's innocence. Dashkov brothers visit Rose in dream and reluctantly she accepts them to be part of the plan. Will they be able to locate Lissa's illegitimate brother/sister?  Will Lissa and friends able to catch the real murderer? Will Lissa be able to win the election? What is the 'Last Sacrifice' and who makes it?

Last sacrifice is the sixth and last book in Vampire Academy series.  The conclusion part of any series is exciting and sad. The mixed feeling because you want to know what happens yet don't want it to end.  The writing is simple and crisp; however Dimitri-Rose-Adrian triangle continued to annoy me to no end. We knew from the beginning Adrian is a collateral damage in the Rose-Dimitry's holier-than-thou love story just like Jacob in Twilight Saga. The bond between them is non-palpable, dwindling, and almost hilarious. I was anticipating a thrilling Strigoi battle which was common in almost all five books. I was disappointed to say the least. The Whodunit part was average as is the last sacrifice.

Although I am happy about the ending, I was hoping Rose will choose a different path rather than just ordinary considering her feisty and kick-ass nature. There are so many unsettled issues left just at that, which we may hope to find in spin-off 'Bloodline' series. I think I will give it a break and pick some other books for now.

Sultan

Film: Sultan
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma, Amid Sadh, Anant Sharma, Randeep Hooda

I was never a fan of Salman Khan and couldn't understand why people go gaga over him. Honestly he comes third in the much coveted Holy Trinity of 'Khan'. The last movie I genuinely liked of him was Bajrangi Bhaijaan. However, that didn't encourage me to go and watch his next 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' in theatre. Surprisingly when I watched, I liked the film too. So, I decided to give his 'Sultan' a try this time. Hubby is equally averse to this Khan, but I convinced him singing 'Main Toh Superman Salman Ka Fan'. Please don't ask me why. I can be extremely silly sometimes.

Plot: Aakash Oberoi's brain child private freestyle wrestling league, called Pro Take Down has lost its popularity. His father advises him to get an Indian wrestler to the ring and suggests 'Sultan Ali Khan's name. He travels to Haryana and meets sultan who turns down his offer outrightly. Now with no other option he approaches Govind, Sultan's friend for details. Here the story goes to flashback of eight years ago.

Sultan, a cable TV operator of 'Mehbooba and Mehboba' falls in love with Aarfa, a state level wrestler and daughter of local wrestling coach. She a Delhi educated girl and her only dream is to win Olympic gold medal. Understanding that Aarfa will only marry wrestler, Sultan decides to become a wrestler and succeeds at becoming a brilliant one. They get married in no time and both represent India in various games. Sultan goes on to win Olympic gold medal, however, Aarfa couldn't despite being selected to play for India due to her pregnancy. Success goes to his head slowly and start taking everything for granted. A tragedy hits when he returns home winning World Wrestling Champion. Aarfa leaves him and he decides to stay away from ring as redemption.  Though Aakash convince Sultan to return to wrestling as a way to fulfill his dream, it is not an easy feast. Will cynic coach Fateh able to help him? What is the reason Aarfa drifted away from him? Will he able to win the game as well as Aarfa in the end?

Although a very average, predictable story, it is gripping and entertaining. There is not a single boring moment where your mind wanders off the screen. It has humor, drama, emotion, love, and action. Anath Sharma who plays Salman's friend is brilliant. I am seeing this guy on-screen for the first time and know instantly he has a long way to go. One of the highlights is the music. I loved almost all songs, however, "Jag Ghoomeya" is the tune which I carried home.

For the first time I felt Salman Khan act too. He carried off the role of Sultan as a smitten lover, grieving husband, hardcore wrestler to the T. A scene where he takes off his shirt in front of a mirror and breaks down after seeing the paunch and his repeated attempts to put back on the shirt was just superb. I couldn't control saying "Well done boy! His hard work really shows off in the movie. The chemistry between him and Anushka is endearing. Ms. Sharma is very good as nothing less is expected of her. Though I wish her progressive character was not sidelined in the second half, just to brood and mop around.

All in all a entertainer which definitely leave a mark of its own. Life is all about fighting our own battle and never accepting defeat.

Weave Dreams

Movie: Fitoor
Music: Amit Trivedi
Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire
Singer: Amit Trivedi

"Pashmina Dhaagon Ke Sang" is playing on loop for hours and I couldn't get the tune out of my mind. I first heard the song while watching the movie. Though I admired Amit Trivedi as a music director, it is only after Queen I liked him as a singer. The songs were Badra Bahaar and Jugni. Blame me, I love that movie and everything about it. Almost all songs struck a cord with me. He experiments with a lot of instruments and there is a magical touch to it.

With Pashmina (Fine type of cashmere wool) threads someone is weaving dreams today, how so?; In the Valley, it echoes somewhere a new tune from Rabab (music instrument), how so?. A young man's yearning and passion to his lady love is expressed superbly. A romantic number that tugs the heart strings. A beautifully written song by Swanand Kirkire.  Amit says he is an ordinary singer who doesn't even practice. However, I must say there is something in his voice that connects along with brilliant music. He is even being compared to music maestro A.R. Rahman. There is undoubtedly freshness in his music and voice.

Childfree

Three months into marriage and the common question was 'Any good news? Like an innocent bride I coyly answered, "Yes, we are taking a holiday next month. Now slightly uncomfortable, they asked again 'No, not that. Any gooooooood news?' As if dragging the good part a little bit will fetch them any answer. However, someone interrupted the conversation and both of us are relieved. Me for not faking anymore and she for not getting the expected answer.

We have completed four years of marriage and the question still continues. We don't get irritated anymore. Hubby finds it as an opportunity to torture the inquisitive person with his dry humor and and I find it impossible to keep a straight face. We have agreed upon to tackle these morons one at a time.

Yes, we have decided to be Childfree. Very close family members and friends were told about the decision.  As excepted everyone is aghast. My parents and in-laws think we will come to our senses in no time. My extended family is quite sure that it is the biggest mistake of our life and we are going regret it. Only one aunt is supportive and applauds for our decision. They are of old generation. I'l will give that to them.

One of my friends even went ahead and told, I should not have gotten married in the first place if I had no intention to reproduce. Probably she is totally unaware of the concept 'Marrying for Love'. 

Some said parenthood is the best thing in the world and we are going to miss the best experience. Well, we decided to do the next best thing, living life on our own terms. (Pun intended). Some named us selfish not to be parents. Well, we said if they are so selfless, wouldn't they have opted for adoption instead of having biological children for the betterment of society. I don't understand why they are so upset and stopped talking to us completely.

They said you want to have fun forever shunning the responsibilities. We asked are they acknowledging the fact that parenting is no fun? And they accuse we humiliated them. They said you will suffer in your old age without children's support. We said that is the most horrifying reason to bring kids into the world.

Some say since yours' is a love marriage, only a child can keep you together because of the bond. We said child is not a needle and thread to mend the broken relationship. If anyone thinks so, they are the most stupidest persons to walk on the face of the earth and their kids the most unfortunate ones.

And one sweet gentle soul said kid can fulfill our dreams. We had to be extremely polite and say here. Our dreams are ours and we will try fulfilling them on our own. I told her to let her kid have her own dreams and not to be bogged down by her's. She is still talking to me, so everything is okay I suppose. And many said who will carry forward our lineage? For them we say we are not from Suryavamsha or Chandravamsha (two most popular dynasty in Hindu mythology) and even if so we couldn't care less.

When we never questioned anybody's decision to have kids (one, two, or hundred), what makes them to give suggestions and talk in a patronizing tone? Is it their realization of making a mistake of being parent and sadistic desire for us to suffer like them?

When we were dating, we never talked about kids. Though when I was young, I wanted to adopt a girl baby. Later I realized it is a wish most of the girls in that age have. When married, we thought we will have kid in a few years as it was a societal norms and we are not aliens. But as days passed by and after many deep and lengthy conversation, we realized we don't really have the basic urge to be parents. There are so many things we dream to achieve and so little time, a kid has no place in it.

What nobody told us is what happens if one of us die untimely? Well, we discussed about it too. And bringing up a kid as a insurance policy to fill your emotional need is definitely a no-no.

We know it is not the easy path we have chosen for ourselves. We will be judged, mocked, criticized, maligned at each and every step. But we are not the people to be bogged down to societal or familial pressure.  It is an informed and well thought out decision to opt out of parenthood. And for the people who think poor hubby is forced in to it, let me clear it once and for all "We are a team and we make each and every decision together after a lot of dialogue and thinking". We have a very fulfilling, enriched, dynamic, and happy relationship and we don't need a "child" to complete it. Honestly, I feel parenthood is overrated. It is glorified in films, literature, and television to no end. And I know many had embarked this journey without knowing why they are doing it. And don't get me wrong, "We love kids as long as they can go back home to to their parents'" as someone wisely said.

I'm ending it being at the risk of annoying and offending many parents out there.

Best and Worst of 2015 Movies

We are done and dusted with half year of 2016 and you must be wondering why I'm listing down movies of 2015 now and not six months earlier. Well, I was not able to watch few movies in year 2015.

Best
1. Masaan
2. NH 10
3. Piku
4. Bajrangi Bhaijaan
5. Dum Laga Ke Haisha
6. Talvar
7. Baby
8. Badlapur
9. Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2
10. Hunter

Average
1. Bajirao Mastani
2. Tamasha
3. Tanu Weds Manu
4. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo
5. Dil Dhadakne Do
6. Deyective Byomkesh Bakshy
7. Manjhi-The Mountain Man
8. Shamitabh
9. Dilwale
10. ABCD

So-So
1. Jazbaa
2. Ek Paheli Leela 
3. Bombay Velvet
4. Shaandaar
5. Hawaizaada
6. Calender Girls
7. Phantom
8. Dolly Ki Doli
9. Main Aur Charles
10. Bhaag Johnny

Bad
1. Hamari Adhuri Kahani
2. Katti Batti
3. Roy
4. Alone
5. Hero
6. Hate story 3
7. Singh is Bling
8. Khamoshiyaan
9. Tevar
10. Welcome Back

Brothers, Margarita With a Straw, and Titli are the three movies on my list, which I missed till today. I will edit the list when I am able to tick those off from my list.

Spirit Bound

After tedious and disturbing journey to Siberia, Rose Hathway is now back in St. Vladimir's Academy and given a chance to finish her graduation. However, Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong. Though a little wary about the plot being slow, I started this one immediately nonetheless. My curiosity is on peak to know whether Strigoi can be really turned back to their original form.

Rose Hathway takes pre-graduation trial and passes with flying colors. Now Lissa plans to go to regular college near Royal court. Rose toys with the idea of being a guardian to her royal friend. Before she could do that, she has another duty to fulfill. She steals important prison files and sneaks out of court with Lissa and Eddie. Here they hatch a plan to break the maximum security prison in Alaska to free their enemy Vicort Dashkov and succeeds. In return Victor leads them to his brother, Robert, the only spirit user who knows how to restore Strigoi. In Las Vegas, Lissa gains theoretical knowledge of how to restore a Strigo with spirit infused stake; however, Rose is completely against this idea for the fear of Lissa's safety.  Adrian joins them and is pretty miffed on Rose's attempt to stay connected to Dimitri. Here, they are attacked by Dimitri and a bunch of Strigois. Losing Victor and Robert in the chaos, they return to the royal court. Rose is punished for endangering the Moroi and put on rigorous physical labor as a disciplinary measure. Dimitri then kidnaps Lissa and Christian as a bait for Rose. Rose leads other guardians to their hide out with an intent to kill. A battle ensues between guardians and Strigois. Will she succeeds killing Dimitri this time? Will Lissa be able to turn him in to a Dhampir? What is the changing political dimensions in Moroi society? 

The most irking thing in this book is the love triangle between Dimitri-Rose-Adrian. Rose is heartbroken and devastated by Dimitri's presumed/assumed death, which turns out to be false, thanks to his threatening love letters. At the beginning of the book, she is Adrian's new girlfriend. Yet, she leaves on a mission to find a way to save her ex-boyfriend. All is good. But she uses Adrian's credit card everywhere to further her goals. I am starting to lose respect for the well-established character here. I understand writer's intent to keep the romance, passion, eternal love alive for young adults. And why Adrian lets himself to be treated as a doormat? However, I loved Rose's gutsy argument with Queen when she decides to stand up for all Dhampirs on underage decree. As usual, the book ended in massive cliff-hanger. Fortunately I have the next book on hand and I'm already on it.