Michael - Film Review

 Saw the film about Michael Jackson recently (April 2026). I was in the U.S. when he was a phenomenon, in the late 80s, and we saw a lot of his numbers on MTV then. Liked most of them. Some of them are reprised here, and quite well too- must have been tough for the choreographer and the actor who looks a lot like him.

The prejudice against Black singers coming on MTV is well depicted. So are his love for kids and animals, and cartoons. Of course, this is a positive film, so the only negative is his dominant father who tries to push him into things he does not want, after it is clear that he is a star creator and performer on his own. His social sensitivities are also brought out well.

The music selection is good, and is the highlight- as it should be, for a film about a musician. The signature moves are captured well.

I like Prabhu Deva, the Indian equivalent too. And I still remember the performance of I'm Bad! by Katarina Witt, chamion ice skater, at the Calgary Winter Olympics. It was Good!

Summer Party at Pune

 To end April, we assembled for a party at our place, with many people in attendance. The oldest was 90, an aunt, and the youngest, around 6. The karaoke added a lot of fun to the proceedings, with everyone participating- with the mic, or in the chorus. The amazing food and drinks meant that we closed pretty late.

High enthu singing..

The oldest, and the youngest singers..above and below

Lessons From Golf

 Sport teaches you many things. Football and Cricket thrive on teamwork. Basketball on shooting ability to score. Defence too, in some of the team games. What about Golf? It can teach you a few things.

1. Planning a shot. You have choices, starting with what Club to use. Where you want to reach.

2. Concentration. While hitting the shot, all energy is focused on the ball and the swing of the club, or the Putt, on the green. 

3. Visualising. On a green, particularly, it's tricky because of slopes-up or down, the behaviour of the ball, because the green can be fast or slow depending on the moisture, grass length and so on. 

4. Execution. For all the planning, and the right grip, stance etc., how you play the shot matters the most. 

5. Consistency matters more than genius in one or two shots. It's a long haul. 

6. Practice on a given course matters, in addition to generic practice. Understanding the course you are playing on is important. 

Translate these into life learnings, or work.

One on Cocktails

 I recently interviewed Ravi, a friend in Calicut, on his interests, that focused on Cocktails. This is the link to the chat, on my Chat Masala Youtube channel. 

https://youtu.be/hPkDNWxyM3I

Craft Beer

Bangalore has been a pioneer in the Internet Cafe and IT Mindset, and everything tech. But also in craft beer. I remember some visits to Biere Club, one of the first place in the Vittal Mallya Road area. Went there a few times with Avinash Mulky and other friends. 

Toit, in Indiranagar was just starting up when I went there with students, Sunny, Jimmy, and Mukesh of KIAMS. Now we have a TOIT in Pune too. 

Bangalore now has several pubs and craft beer places, in JP Nagar too. Bramha Brews is one large place. Others are also quite popular.  

The good thing about craft beer is that it is fresh, taste includes various flavours, and includes both light and dark varieties. I am not a big beer drinker, but craft beer is an exception.

In Kolkata too, I tried two or three places, in Park Street (Roman theme) and Galleria mall.

My Predictions for the Elections in Summer 2026

 It's fashionable to predict what will happen. It also was lucrative at one point. Now, if a party funds you, it may still be.

But I am adding a twist to the prediction game. I am predicting how things may turn out for people like you and me- the Aam Admi, in whichever state the elections are happening. Names ending in 'ni' not included.

1. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

2. Petrol prices will rise. So will a few other essentials, partly to offset doles announced.

3. Liquor prices may rise, for the same reason as above.

4. The first six months will look as if there are bright days ahead.. not using acchhe din, as it's copyrighted.

5. From month 7 to the next election, it will seem like a long wait for change. Refer to 1 above.

Noise and Elections

 The brouhaha over elections in some Indian states is almost over. The counting is on May 4th, a big day for individual contenders and the Parties in the fray. So who will celebrate with a party on that day?

I don't have any guesses, because the Indian voter throws up surprises quite often. What now seems like a pattern, is that Southern States will vote a regional party, but I have no idea what Bengal will do.

But whoever wins, the lot of the common man seems to change very little. Jobs are probably stagnant, and so are wages at the bottom of the (large) pyramid. So what will anyone in that position gain from whoever comes to power is a moot point.

The elite usually continue to flourish, no matter who wins. The era of big ticket reforms kicked off in 1991 is almost over, and India will continue growing at 5-7 percent, due to its large population, as a whole. How that translates into the well-being of different segments is what really matters.