Europe by Eurail
What World Leaders Might be Telling Trump
Trump brings out an opinion about him in every one. But if you were a world leader at this time, what would you say to him? Let's guess-
Angela. Why are you going where Angels fear to tread?
Modi. Can you modify that last bunch of orders you signed, please?
Putin. What exactly are your policies? Can we discuss them over a vodka?
May. Your exits from all the pacts are threatening to overshadow Brexit.
Mexican Prez. You are driving me up the wall.
Canadian PM. Trudeau or not Trudeau is not your dilemma, it appears.
France- Can you return the Statue of Liberty, please?
Angela. Why are you going where Angels fear to tread?
Modi. Can you modify that last bunch of orders you signed, please?
Putin. What exactly are your policies? Can we discuss them over a vodka?
May. Your exits from all the pacts are threatening to overshadow Brexit.
Mexican Prez. You are driving me up the wall.
Canadian PM. Trudeau or not Trudeau is not your dilemma, it appears.
France- Can you return the Statue of Liberty, please?
Kaabil- Film Review
My view of this film is mixed, tending towards the "Don't watch" side. Why? Let me explain.
The plot of revenge for a misdeed has been done to death in a number of formula films in the seventies and eighties, with better actors- Dharmendra, Amitabh to name just two. Even though Hrithik is good, he pales in comparison. He is also handicapped by the script that makes him blind. And revenge is the worst way, in my view, to show the Kabiliyat (ability) of a blind person.
What could (with a better story/script) have been a heart-warming journey to discover the everyday travails of a lovely couple in love (the first fifteen minutes are actually good), overcoming their lack of eyesight, meanders into a formula film of impossible-to-believe stunts that stretch your credibility. Yami Gautam is mostly wasted in cliched stuff, unlike in her earlier films (I think Vicky Donor was one of them). Comparisons may be out of place, but a remake of Koshish would have been a much better idea. (Gulzar's Koshish was about a deaf-mute couple, amazingly done by Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri). Might have given Hrithik/Yami a role of a lifetime.
And the last word- on the music. If Rajesh Roshan, one of my favourite music composers (with films like Julie, Yaarana, Des Pardes, Baaton Baaton Mein), has to come down to rehashing his own tunes, the end of the world must be close.
The plot of revenge for a misdeed has been done to death in a number of formula films in the seventies and eighties, with better actors- Dharmendra, Amitabh to name just two. Even though Hrithik is good, he pales in comparison. He is also handicapped by the script that makes him blind. And revenge is the worst way, in my view, to show the Kabiliyat (ability) of a blind person.
What could (with a better story/script) have been a heart-warming journey to discover the everyday travails of a lovely couple in love (the first fifteen minutes are actually good), overcoming their lack of eyesight, meanders into a formula film of impossible-to-believe stunts that stretch your credibility. Yami Gautam is mostly wasted in cliched stuff, unlike in her earlier films (I think Vicky Donor was one of them). Comparisons may be out of place, but a remake of Koshish would have been a much better idea. (Gulzar's Koshish was about a deaf-mute couple, amazingly done by Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri). Might have given Hrithik/Yami a role of a lifetime.
And the last word- on the music. If Rajesh Roshan, one of my favourite music composers (with films like Julie, Yaarana, Des Pardes, Baaton Baaton Mein), has to come down to rehashing his own tunes, the end of the world must be close.
Character Sketches
The
Man Who Knows Too Much
This is the watchman at any residential complex gate. He knows exactly what is happening inside, and who is coming or going. In case there is a murder in the residential complex, his testimony is crucial. Has to keep tabs on parking of sundry vehicles, and tries to fob off guests trying to park inside. Also a useful chap when the housewife has small errands like calling the dhobi, or the raddiwala, or the absconding maid needs a stern reminder. At other times, his sphinx-like appearance belies his alert mind, at least in the daytime. He may be occasionally found snoring at night, but never goofs off more than the average office-goer.
The Indian Student in 12th
This is a person who has to answer 3 times a day, for 1 year, the same dreaded question- "So, WHAT are you planning to do?" from all and sundry. Even tougher than answering the board exam questions. If she makes it to the dream courses like engineering or whatever, she is considered a success by everybody. But if she does not, God has to help her, like Krishna came to the aid of Draupadi. If she happens to have an interest which is somewhat non-mainstream, then even God is of little help. You can admire a Saina (or a Sindhu), but you can't aspire to be one, is the golden rule here.
A Girl Over 21
"So, what are your marriage plans?" goes the question for this one, on the lines of the question above. If you don't have any, you better be a celebrity, or else....all the older relatives feel left out of the 'family affairs' if this girl seems to be independent minded far as marriage plans go. It is after all, everybody's business what the girl does- for example, what would the Khap panchayats do if they can't sponsor a few honour killings now and then?
This is the watchman at any residential complex gate. He knows exactly what is happening inside, and who is coming or going. In case there is a murder in the residential complex, his testimony is crucial. Has to keep tabs on parking of sundry vehicles, and tries to fob off guests trying to park inside. Also a useful chap when the housewife has small errands like calling the dhobi, or the raddiwala, or the absconding maid needs a stern reminder. At other times, his sphinx-like appearance belies his alert mind, at least in the daytime. He may be occasionally found snoring at night, but never goofs off more than the average office-goer.
The Indian Student in 12th
This is a person who has to answer 3 times a day, for 1 year, the same dreaded question- "So, WHAT are you planning to do?" from all and sundry. Even tougher than answering the board exam questions. If she makes it to the dream courses like engineering or whatever, she is considered a success by everybody. But if she does not, God has to help her, like Krishna came to the aid of Draupadi. If she happens to have an interest which is somewhat non-mainstream, then even God is of little help. You can admire a Saina (or a Sindhu), but you can't aspire to be one, is the golden rule here.
A Girl Over 21
"So, what are your marriage plans?" goes the question for this one, on the lines of the question above. If you don't have any, you better be a celebrity, or else....all the older relatives feel left out of the 'family affairs' if this girl seems to be independent minded far as marriage plans go. It is after all, everybody's business what the girl does- for example, what would the Khap panchayats do if they can't sponsor a few honour killings now and then?
Continuing
with the thoughts, here are some more, this time in the form of job profiles.
A Management Guru
You have to spawn a new vocabulary, and a new 'paradigm' which is expected to change the business world forever. A best-seller outlining 10 ways to achieve the largest market share in any business in 1 year, is mandatory. You must wear a three-piece suit even in peak summer, so that your brand value is not eroded, corroded, etc. You must also have a travel itinerary that spans the world, so you can be unavailable for appointment seekers, again enhancing your value through what cine-stars have been practising for ages- being elusive.
A run-of-the mill Guru
These are now perfected recipes. Take 1 ashram on the outskirts of any city with a large population of IT or other rich guys. Mix one measure of robes of any colour. Give gyan in a branded course on anything under the sun, including yoga, pranayam, breathing, or anything Sanskrit-sounding. Throw in a dash of calisthenics on any spiritual TV channel by buying enough airtime, and you are all set. Buy a couple of currency counting machines (or borrow from chief of Medical Council of India) to keep track of the cash. Do some invigorating exercises, after making sure there are no hidden cameras.
A Management Guru
You have to spawn a new vocabulary, and a new 'paradigm' which is expected to change the business world forever. A best-seller outlining 10 ways to achieve the largest market share in any business in 1 year, is mandatory. You must wear a three-piece suit even in peak summer, so that your brand value is not eroded, corroded, etc. You must also have a travel itinerary that spans the world, so you can be unavailable for appointment seekers, again enhancing your value through what cine-stars have been practising for ages- being elusive.
A run-of-the mill Guru
These are now perfected recipes. Take 1 ashram on the outskirts of any city with a large population of IT or other rich guys. Mix one measure of robes of any colour. Give gyan in a branded course on anything under the sun, including yoga, pranayam, breathing, or anything Sanskrit-sounding. Throw in a dash of calisthenics on any spiritual TV channel by buying enough airtime, and you are all set. Buy a couple of currency counting machines (or borrow from chief of Medical Council of India) to keep track of the cash. Do some invigorating exercises, after making sure there are no hidden cameras.
Remembering Mahabharat- by BR Chopra
The TV series made a great impression on me when I first saw it. Its beauty (to me) lies in the fact that it shows a realistic world fuelled by desire for power, crooked uncles (Shakuni is a great character, played effortlessly by Gufi Paintal), casteism, idealism (Bhishma) gone wrong, the good, the bad and the in-between, indecisiveness, a mother's power over sons (in asking them to share a wife), and so much more.
I particularly liked the way Krishna was portrayed by Nitish Bharadwaj- I still remember the smiling visage, as a friend of the Pandavas, and his exasperation at some of their oaths. He asks them to think before they utter some of the more consequential ones, at one point.
Mahendra Kapoor's soulful song which rounded off each episode also was memorable. Draupadi played by Roopa Ganguly was also a powerful character. Mukesh Khanna had a role of a lifetime, and so did many of the Pandavas, and Duryodhana and Karna. Later, I read Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, which tells the story from Draupadi's point of view. That was great too.
I particularly liked the way Krishna was portrayed by Nitish Bharadwaj- I still remember the smiling visage, as a friend of the Pandavas, and his exasperation at some of their oaths. He asks them to think before they utter some of the more consequential ones, at one point.
Mahendra Kapoor's soulful song which rounded off each episode also was memorable. Draupadi played by Roopa Ganguly was also a powerful character. Mukesh Khanna had a role of a lifetime, and so did many of the Pandavas, and Duryodhana and Karna. Later, I read Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, which tells the story from Draupadi's point of view. That was great too.
Definitions
You may want to redefine or reinvent yourself at the urging of a personal coach, or boss at work. But if you want to redefine days, here are some possibilities-
Valentine's Day- When you are acutely made aware of the lack of a Boyfriend/Girlfriend
Rakshabandhan- Likewise (see above)
Republic Day- When planes fly, but not over the airport
Teachers' Day- When you remember those who gave you an A
Student's Day- When you get an A
Labour Day- When you curse the management for not paying you more
Management Day- When you vent about the labour slacking off
Facebooker's Day- When you get more likes than expected
Blogger's Day- When people read your blog, and even comment on it
Neighbour's Day- When your neighbour smiles back at you
Valentine's Day- When you are acutely made aware of the lack of a Boyfriend/Girlfriend
Rakshabandhan- Likewise (see above)
Republic Day- When planes fly, but not over the airport
Teachers' Day- When you remember those who gave you an A
Student's Day- When you get an A
Labour Day- When you curse the management for not paying you more
Management Day- When you vent about the labour slacking off
Facebooker's Day- When you get more likes than expected
Blogger's Day- When people read your blog, and even comment on it
Neighbour's Day- When your neighbour smiles back at you
The Lesser Players of Bollywood
There are a lot of character actors in Bollywood who add their charming little acts to the proceedings. Here is recounting a few from their heyday-
Iftikhar- usually playing the Commissioner of Police, he lightened up in Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye..
Om Shivpuri played many small but important characters, like in Don (the Amitabh original).
A.K. Hangal made Ramukaka, the homely servant popular, but played a horny old man in the comedy "Shaukeen" with panache too.
Om Prakash was an endearing character in most films, Chupke Chupke being one of his best roles as the jeejaji who is a stickler for Shuddh Hindi.
Nazneen excelled at the sister act- the hero or the heroine always had a sister in old Hindi films.
Keshto Mukherjee was the eternal drunk, and made this act his own.
David was the uncle or elderly equivalent in countless films, particularly noticeable in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's and Basu Chatterjee's films.
Ashok Kumar played many important roles long after he stopped being a hero, adding charm to lots of films.
Lalita Pawar, known as the mother-in-law without a heart, played a wonderful contrarian role in Anand, the Rajesh Khanna starrer.
Sudhir, Mac Mohan, Viju Khote, Paintal, are some others that come to mind.
Iftikhar- usually playing the Commissioner of Police, he lightened up in Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye..
Om Shivpuri played many small but important characters, like in Don (the Amitabh original).
A.K. Hangal made Ramukaka, the homely servant popular, but played a horny old man in the comedy "Shaukeen" with panache too.
Om Prakash was an endearing character in most films, Chupke Chupke being one of his best roles as the jeejaji who is a stickler for Shuddh Hindi.
Nazneen excelled at the sister act- the hero or the heroine always had a sister in old Hindi films.
Keshto Mukherjee was the eternal drunk, and made this act his own.
David was the uncle or elderly equivalent in countless films, particularly noticeable in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's and Basu Chatterjee's films.
Ashok Kumar played many important roles long after he stopped being a hero, adding charm to lots of films.
Lalita Pawar, known as the mother-in-law without a heart, played a wonderful contrarian role in Anand, the Rajesh Khanna starrer.
Sudhir, Mac Mohan, Viju Khote, Paintal, are some others that come to mind.
Thought Leadership vs. Incrementalism
Reaching the moon in a few years- Kennedy's dream.
Just in Time or JIT from the Japanese.
Miniaturised electronics, from many American and Japanese firms. Sony Walkman, an example.
All examples of thought leadership. Including the mobile phone, and the internet. But why is it that governments largely lack big ideas? The last one I heard was from Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh when he introduced e-seva, saving people from long lines to pay their own electricity or phone bills, and much more.
Many government services need decentralisation and more contact centres- these can be outsourced where skills needed are minimal, creating huge employment opportunities, and serve people better.
Just one big thought for now, but you may get a dozen a day, if efforts are made. Why don't governments do this?
Just in Time or JIT from the Japanese.
Miniaturised electronics, from many American and Japanese firms. Sony Walkman, an example.
All examples of thought leadership. Including the mobile phone, and the internet. But why is it that governments largely lack big ideas? The last one I heard was from Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh when he introduced e-seva, saving people from long lines to pay their own electricity or phone bills, and much more.
Many government services need decentralisation and more contact centres- these can be outsourced where skills needed are minimal, creating huge employment opportunities, and serve people better.
Just one big thought for now, but you may get a dozen a day, if efforts are made. Why don't governments do this?
Every Once in a While...
Every once in a while, I hear a song which I cannot get out of my mind for days. It has happened recently with the following songs, which I heard after a fairly long gap, but they stayed in my mind.
Tum apna ranj-o-gham, apni pareshani mujhe de do.Sung by Jagjit Kaur, the wife of music director Khayyam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Yr1OOeOT8
Man gaaye woh taraana jise sunke chale aana..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-_S4GBf-Go sung sweetly by Suman Kalayanpur for a forgotten movie called Chalaak. Music by Ganesh.
Pyar hua hai jabse mujhko nahin chain aata. Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar from the film Abhilasha. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToO-PkucJac
Kabhi tanhaiyon mein yun hamari yaad aayegi, andhere chha rahe honge, ke bijli kaundh jaayegi. Sung by Mubarak Begum, music by Snehal Bhatkar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gi8ggmtACg
Gore gore o baanke chhore. Lata and Amirbai Karnataki in a song tuned by C. Ramchandra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuCtgwQ0_Ks
Hai apna dil to awara na jaane kis pe aayega..Hemant Kumar sings for Dev Anand in Solva Saal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K8TH8LBs-w&spfreload=5
Tum apna ranj-o-gham, apni pareshani mujhe de do.Sung by Jagjit Kaur, the wife of music director Khayyam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8Yr1OOeOT8
Man gaaye woh taraana jise sunke chale aana..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-_S4GBf-Go sung sweetly by Suman Kalayanpur for a forgotten movie called Chalaak. Music by Ganesh.
Pyar hua hai jabse mujhko nahin chain aata. Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar from the film Abhilasha. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToO-PkucJac
Kabhi tanhaiyon mein yun hamari yaad aayegi, andhere chha rahe honge, ke bijli kaundh jaayegi. Sung by Mubarak Begum, music by Snehal Bhatkar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gi8ggmtACg
Gore gore o baanke chhore. Lata and Amirbai Karnataki in a song tuned by C. Ramchandra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuCtgwQ0_Ks
Hai apna dil to awara na jaane kis pe aayega..Hemant Kumar sings for Dev Anand in Solva Saal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K8TH8LBs-w&spfreload=5
TV Artists That I Remember
I have mostly stopped watching TV these days, as it generally has asinine programs. But once upon a time, I actually watched it, and recount with fondness some shows and artists.
The entire cast of Hum Paanch led by Ashok Saraf. It had a girl 'dada' among his kids.
Satish Shah, Ratna Pathak, Sumeet Raghavan ...of Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai
Rajit Kapoor of Byomkesh Bakshi
Rajni, starring Priya Tendulkar
Surbhi, with Siddarth Kak and Renuka Shahane
Karamchand with Pankaj Kapur
Tehkikaat starring Vijay Anand
Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi with Rakesh Bedi, Satish Shah Swaroop Sampat and Shafi Inamdar
The entire cast of Hum Paanch led by Ashok Saraf. It had a girl 'dada' among his kids.
Satish Shah, Ratna Pathak, Sumeet Raghavan ...of Sarabhai vs. Sarabhai
Rajit Kapoor of Byomkesh Bakshi
Rajni, starring Priya Tendulkar
Surbhi, with Siddarth Kak and Renuka Shahane
Karamchand with Pankaj Kapur
Tehkikaat starring Vijay Anand
Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi with Rakesh Bedi, Satish Shah Swaroop Sampat and Shafi Inamdar
Creative Answers to Common Interview Questions
These may not get you a job, but you will enjoy the interview process- it's the journey and not the destination that's important, right?
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Vacationing in Goa every month under the guise of a sales meeting. I shall hold all meetings there.
Q: In 10 years?
Flying to my beach villa in the Bahamas in my private jet, all charged to the compay account (I'd have hired a creative accountant to do the needful).
Q: In 15 years?
In a log cabin writing books like all the MBAs these days seem to write- there are many Indian scriptures to choose from and turn into modern fables, a la Vayuputra.
Q: In 20 years?
I will run an organic farm where I will grow grapes and tomatoes. The grapes will be turned into wine and the tomatoes will be thrown at unwanted visitors.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Vacationing in Goa every month under the guise of a sales meeting. I shall hold all meetings there.
Q: In 10 years?
Flying to my beach villa in the Bahamas in my private jet, all charged to the compay account (I'd have hired a creative accountant to do the needful).
Q: In 15 years?
In a log cabin writing books like all the MBAs these days seem to write- there are many Indian scriptures to choose from and turn into modern fables, a la Vayuputra.
Q: In 20 years?
I will run an organic farm where I will grow grapes and tomatoes. The grapes will be turned into wine and the tomatoes will be thrown at unwanted visitors.
A Pictorial Journey
Om Puri Obituary
He proved that good looks are not mandatory for an actor to succeed. He was far from good-looking, but played many memorable roles. Some films that I can remember are Aakrosh, Jaane bhi do yaaro, Ardh-satya, Gupt. He had an excellent voice, and emoted well on screen, whether it was as a hero or any other character. He had a hilarious role in Janne bhi do yaaro, along with Satish Shah and others. I still remember a few of his scenes and dialogues..
Along with Naseeruddin Shah, he brought many themes to life in the so-called parallel cinema of Govind Nihalani, Shyam Benegal and so on. He also starred in commercial cinema, and some Hollywood productions, though I did not watch any of those.
His personal life was mired in some controversies, but professionally he was one of the best. I remember watching him on the Anupam Kher show along with Naseer, his classmate at the film institute, and they were fun to watch, quite candid about things they did. There is also a fond mention of him in Naseer's autobiography that I read a couple of years ago.
Will miss him.
Along with Naseeruddin Shah, he brought many themes to life in the so-called parallel cinema of Govind Nihalani, Shyam Benegal and so on. He also starred in commercial cinema, and some Hollywood productions, though I did not watch any of those.
His personal life was mired in some controversies, but professionally he was one of the best. I remember watching him on the Anupam Kher show along with Naseer, his classmate at the film institute, and they were fun to watch, quite candid about things they did. There is also a fond mention of him in Naseer's autobiography that I read a couple of years ago.
Will miss him.
Pics from the Nilgiris
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
2024 - A Recap
Starting with December 2023, on 30th I attended a wedding - and met Natasha Kothari, who runs Studio Ungap. Dhruv, her fiance, was the groo...
These Were Liked a Lot
-
There is this game of songs-no idea what it's called in English, if at all- called Antakshari, where you sing a song, and the next pers...
-
The Bangalore Years (1982-84) at IIMB What happens to anyone who goes to an IIM is that his life changes forever. It is a unique environm... -
Just started teaching the Digital Marketing course for its second run. In between last year and this year, two important things happened.. ...
-
Whoever said a rice cooker is only for cooking rice? On the lookout for new ways to make tea since my only gas cylinder got exhausted and w...
-
Students Over the Years- Part (2019 Edition) Part 1 Sanjana Rao Yarram She was awesome as Lady Bracknell in the staging of The ... -
I am amazed at the patience that parents have in organising elaborate weddings. I am not complaining, just observing. Went to a 2-day affai... -
I discovered a new website thanks to an article I was reading in the Mint Lounge (the saturday paper that I have come to like). It is www.re...