Guide Recreated

 We recreated this scene from Guide at Mandu, with Shweta Kushal playing Waheeda (dancing) on the wall- originally at Chittorgarh.

Use of Colours

 On the way to work today, I saw a colourful guy near a construction site. Reminded me of some colourful Telugu film heroes of the 70s. They would wear bright colours- yellow, green, red orange, with zero regard for matching them. 

But seriously, we could have colourful clothes for some professionals at least. It's so boring to have the suits at all meetings wearing the same old black or dark blue, with a light coloured shirt. The women at least try to be different, and dress up for the occasion, no matter what the occasion. I have evidence.

Let us bring more colour to life, at work and elsewhere, starting with clothes. Men, particularly.

Meeting Navneeta at Club de Golf

 Met Navneeta and also visited the Golf course with Dash at Ecopark Gate 6, killing two birds with one stone. She's our classmate from IIMB, now in the U.S. Her husband Nalinaksha was a prof. at IIMC for a few years in the 80s. He was there too-

Six Monthly Report from Kolkata

 6 Months in JIS University Kolkata.

The weather takes some getting used to. Humid as hell. Ok with a fan, or an AC. The bright side is no dry skin, hair.

Hot also, which means half shirts are OK at work, and t shirts otherwise.

At work, getting into groove with a new team of VC and co-VC with me, was not tough. 

Achieved a few milestones. One alumni meet at the Management School, in June 2025. Second one being planned for Bangalore in December. Many cultural events happened at the University, on various occasions. 

Attended a couple of events in Delhi that might help branding efforts over some time. 

Discussed several initiatives to make the university self-driven, with the VC. Includes PLACEMENT EFFORTS, Admission diversity, and Alumni Connect. We are now planning the next Convocation.

Attended some events at Tolly Club with Dash, who is a member. A debate, and a book launch with Aparna Sen in attendance. The book was about her!

Winter is approaching, which is welcome- never thought I would say that!

Women's Cricket Team Comes of Age

 The year 1983 saw Kapil's devils claim the World Cup from nowhere. It was an incredible team effort. And I think, so was this one. Though we may have our favourite players, I feel this could not have happened without everyone contributing their best. What a landmark win! The Australia India semi-final was a classic. 

Congratulations to Harmanpreet, and the band of indomitable warriors who fought with her, Jemimah, Smriti and all the rest. You are all heroes for us. 

(Image from public sources)

Aparna Sen Live

 It was the launch of a book about her. I only know her through the film 36 Chowringhee Lane, that she directed- it was produced by Shashi Kapoor (how that happened was a good story). I was very impressed at the time. The three major actors led by Jennifer Kapoor were excellent. I did find Chowringhee Lane recently, but not no. 36. Anyway, it was an engaging conversation with the author Suman Ghosh and another actor Anjan Dutt who tended to speak out of turn,, and a lot more than necessary. She is 80, but looked around 60.

Anyway, my respect for Tolly Club went up- after a debate earlier, and now this.. organised by their Library, it seems.

Kantara- The Prequel- Review

 I was really impressed with the first one I saw. This one is worth a watch, and if you haven't seen the first, might interest you more.

The novelty of the theme was better in the first. Now, you are already familiar with the setting. Surprises are fewer.

Natural scenes were more in the first, and special effects came in shorter bursts. More effective.

Fight scenes galore in this one- after a while, they seem repetitive.

Some scenes are really well done, and keep the interest.

There's a twist late in the film, which was good.

Rishabh Shetty needs to be commended. Acting is credible. 

PS: The story reminded me a bit of Sangeet Maanapmaan, a Marathi film based on a play- a musical.