Raid- Film Review

I am a fan of both the husband and (his real) wife. I am talking about Ajay Devgan and Kajol (she's not in this film though). So, it's possible I am biased-but maybe not, coz I did not even see Kajol's last film.

Ok, this movie is surely worth a watch. For many reasons. One, to start believing in the rule of law, and that it can take on the powerful. It happens so rarely within the bounds of rules, that it is worth our support. The 'one-man takes on twenty' fantasies are of course, myths. This seems to have a kernel of truth.

What I found disturbing is that one crooked guy has the gall to approach the country's PM and Fin. Min. for favours-galling, to say the least, even if it's a story. Some of the side characters are really entertaining, like the grandma who keeps slapping her grown-up sons now and then-they fully deserve these, too.

The dialogue and editing are super. Ileana's not bad, though you can guess she would not have too long a role. All in all, a good film about something important.

Arun Joshi's 'The Apprentice'

This is an unusual book by an author that is relatively unknown. I came to know of him through a friend Vinod Ekbote's blog. Part of the reason is that his books are not easily available. I found this book while browsing at Higginbotham's Bangalore. It does not disappoint.

In one fell swoop, this novel takes in the decay of the Indian 'system' of bribery and insensitive administration, and much more than that. The destruction of our 'souls' as it were- there are references to the Bhagavad Gita but also a confession by the protagonist that he understands only a little from it.

I found it riveting, and unusual. The story is that of a freedom-fighter's son, who grows up directionless, and finds a job only to turn into a corrupt spoke in a bigger wheel. He buys sub-standard equipment for the Indian Army, and that becomes the cause of his best friend's death- he is serving in the Army in the Chinese War. There is penitence and an attempt to seek revenge, both non-formulaic.

The style of writing is one of the best I have come across. Must-read for a serious reader.

Anopheles Goes to Karnataka

My female friend of the mosquito species, Anopheles, recently had another small chat with me. About elections this time, among other things.

She unexpectedly came in tonight, as I was preparing to retire. Her first question, after the usual niceties, was,

"Why do you think the Congress won in Karnataka?"

I was surprised that she was so 'in' with the news of our elections. I said, "I think people expected development from the earlier government, which they did not get. They were mined only for their votes. So they changed their mind, and voted for change."

"Hope they don't start cleaning up garbage and drains," she sounded worried. "Where will we go?"

I was stunned with the realisation that one man's food is another man's poison. I said, "If they do, you are welcome to come and stay here, " pointing to a closet.

"Thanks, that's very nice of you," she said.

Then she asked me, "What worries you about the future?"

I had to think, lest I appeared to lack the essential qualities of the homo sapiens. "Terrorism?"

"Who do you think are terrorists?" was her counter-question.

"People who kill others for no good reason, of course," I thought that was easy.

"What about those who are cruel to nature? Or those who instill wrong values in their kids? Or even those who indulge in corruption, as your newspapers seem to keep proclaiming? Isn't that a form of terrorism?"

I said, "How so?"

She said, "Terrorists take the easy way out, by doing whatever they do. These guys also harm society, but insidiously, by preventing welfare of a large number of deserving people. And parents who develop wrong values among children..what could be more damaging to a society?"

I had to admit she was convincing, like a good marketing prof I knew.

I asked her, "Does your society have corruption and bad parenting too?"

She was quite vehement. "Yes, and that's why we have the fat mosquitoes who drink far more than they need, and make the life of us commoners that much more difficult. There are also those who have created blood banks so that their children will not starve for generations."

"But won't the blood get spoilt in tropical weather?" was my innocent query.

"Who said the blood banks are here? They are in Switzerland," she shot back. That was enough to send a chill up my spine, and I kept dreaming about this even as I slept.

Netaholics Anonymous

Like the eponymous (not sure what this means, it is a trial usage) Alcoholics Anonymous, we could have many anonymii (this is my invention, in the tradition of Milton -more on him later in a book review coming soon) for various ills that plague 'society'- a euphemism for 'you and me'.

The obvious one is Netaholics ananymous. This will be a support group which visits the jungles of Africa and face a tiger, crocodile, or other man-eating species. Thereby ridding themselves of any urge other than survival. Net addiction would be the last thing you could think of.

Corruptoholics Anonymous. They would be taken as a group to visit countries where the corrupt are hanged, guillotined, or otherwise suitably disposed of. The cure would follow automatically.

Cellphonaholics Anonymous. This support group would be subjected to screechy sounds from objects like cell phones held close to their ears. Heavy metal or other 'music' may be also tried at high volume, creating a phobia for anything held close to the ear. Playing it by the ear would get a new meaning.

Girlfriendoholics Anonymous. These guys would be shown destitutes and the causes of their destitution- bills unpaid, resulting from unexplained shopping sprees by their girlfriends (erstwhile). This would immediately cure them of the urge to acquire girlfriends. Recorded marital arguments could be a booster dose of medicine if they show any tendency to relapse.

Boyfriendoholics Anonymous. The girl groups would be shown videos of bachelor parties that men were having after they were married to their girlfriends. Also, their addiction to football, cricket and other stupid pastimes, and aversion to work of any kind would be suitably highlighted. Lindsay Lohan would be a special invitee.

There are many more potentially anonymous groups, but I want to make sure that I write about them anonymously.