Best actor in a negative role - Boman Irani (3 Idiots) and not Kay Kay Menon (Gulaal) or Manish Chaudhary (Rocket Singh) or even Amol Gupte (Kaminey)
Best actor in a comic role - Omi (3 Idiots) and not 'Just Cheeel Dhondu' (All the best) or Santosh (Rocket Singh)
The best of all -
Best Entertainer of the year - Katrina Kaif. OK, really, What???
Like Aamir decides to give these functions a miss, I now decide to give the idiot box a miss.
Btw, just for my knowledge, did anybody bother to watch Gulaal or Rocket Singh ? Atleast tried to ?? Or were Paa and 3 Idiots so overwhelming that you lost your ability to think ?
Proto held it's 7th edition at F.C. Kohli Auditorium, IIT today.
Well known for it's boost to entrepreneurial activities, the event had an impressive line up of talks and discussions.
Pradeep Gupta (of Dataquest, PC Quest fame) and Sanjeev Bhikhchandani (Naukri) were the keynote speakers.
I have to add here, Sanjeev Bhikhchandani came across as an extremely straightforward and witty guy. Not many people can discuss their lives so objectively and colourfully.
Proto's highlight is always the start ups it showcases. We had 15 Start ups who had each been given 6 minutes to present their ideas/products to the audience.
Earlier, some 10 odd companies have benefited and availed investments by talking at Proto events.
This year, 15 companies, belonging to Education, Mobile, Social Enterprise and Software verticals made their pitch.
It was good to know how these companies had caught hold of specific gaps in their specific markets and had come out with solutions to meet consumer needs.
Out of the 15 that made a show today, Panini Keypad and Tara Machines made the atmost impact.
The audiences were in for a treat ! These two companies had awesome products, immense knowledge of and belief in their ideas. While Panini came up with an application to promote regional languages on cell phones, Tara Machines made affordable machines which were used by rural entrepreneurs to make customised bricks. Their machines made sure that carbon footprints were taken care of, while, at the same time rural populace could work in healthier, non threatening environments.
Post Lunch, the audiences were shown Pirates of the Silicon Valley. It was a fun film which traced the lives and careers of two Technology Czars - Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.
Later, VCs and Angel Investors took questions from the audience and shared their thoughts on start up funding, business ideas, legal contracts, etc.
All in all, a very informative session, with lots of scope to network and pitch one's ideas.
Some key take aways from the session -
- There is safety in numbers - VCs always prefer a team to an individual. In their view, a team is better equipped to build sustainable businesses than an individual who would find himself hassled
- Indian entrepreneurs can no longer ignore the global markets. The outlook has to be "Glocal" when they decide to start up
- Whether a company has an IT/Operations/Finance guy or not, is immaterial. It should most definitely have a Salesman ! Strong customer relations had saved Naukri during it's downturn. Rocket Singh seemed a hit with all present !
- Money is there to take. A lot of good, easy money is lying untouched. Rather, good ideas are hard to come by - so said the VCs
- Almost all speakers agreed that the very first product/idea would almost always fail. So don't fall in love with it. Use the experience to build better products/customise/change the existing one
Now, two takeaways from me -
The food was royally attrocious. Stone like paneer and rotis less elastic than rubber. Just why is food ignored at conferences of this scale? Second, Airtel, alongwith Sequoia Capital was the prime sponsor of the event. We even learnt about its seed fund to support entrepreneurship. Very good. All this while, I just wanted to point out that all network operators, including the great MTNL, had perfect coverage in the closed door auditorium. All, except Airtel. Zero coverage for the entire day. Ahem, did someone say core competency ?
A wayward girl. Pent up anger. A mercurial take on life. Takes refuge in 30 day relationships.
A painfully quiet woman. Loses herself often in her past. Takes refuge in Lord Krsna.
A horrible, murky past connects one to the other.
A past one could die to forget and another would want to keep alive, only if to rub the pain in.
30 days in September is a gripping drama that deals with incest.
Amazing performances and incisive writing by Mahesh Dattani.
For once, I liked the Dubey ladies too.
It's strange. This incest.
I remember my very first reaction when I read about it in a popular Danielle Steel book - Malice.
First few pages into the book and I felt violated. Could this really be happening or had Danielle gone berserk? A dad ??
The book had scared me enough to be put away.
I went to it only after I had sorted my thoughts.
That was about 6 years back.
Things haven't changed much. Our society still turns a blind eye to incest. Heck, India doesn't even have a law that deems it as crime.
Most victims are scarred for life and live in the shadows forever.
Families do not step up. Shame, guilt, family honour take precedence over the dignity and violation of a child.
It's not like incest doesn't happen elsewhere. Yet, in some countries, like ours, the stigma is probably tougher to get over.
I came across Harish Iyer's moving tale. One can only respect the man. But, again, not every person can be a Harish.
So I can only hope that such stories are spoken and written about more.
Anything, to keep our children safe and our society sensitive.
I watched this Romantic movie (Sunrise) and the sequel (Sunset) a few days back.
Both played on my mind for a long, long time.
Still, I refuse to do a review. I just don't think I can sum up the experience.
I like open ended movies. They give me a chance to guess and have the satisfaction of an ending per my likes.
Yet, as thoughtful as this series was, it was a difficult one too, as a viewer. Watch it to know what I mean.
Before I end, I have to add - Sunset (my favourite between the two), has some of the bestest conversation you will see between a lead pair. Really.
I wonder if Bollywood pairs will ever move to this level. Or do they atleast wish to ? Or, do they atleast understand ??
It's not very often that plays come to my side of the town. So when, not one, but two make an appearance, I make it a point to revel in this art form.
Yesterday Salesman Ramlal played at a nearby Academy. Here is my take -
Based on Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, Salesman Ramlal traced the life of an old salesman, his ordinary life and extraordinary dreams.
On the face of it, the story spoke about the trials of one man, his unfulfilled dreams and aspirations.
But dig a little and you would see various themes being touched upon - parental love and expectations, mid life crisis, a guilty man's face off with himself and most important, individualism.
While Ramlal has always believed that he and his sons are capable of extraordinary feats, has wrapped himself in a cocoon, in reality they are only ordinary mortals, who would be failures, if you applied a textbook definition to it.
While you are deciding what the play is really about - the theme comes out neatly in the second half - that it is OK to be ordinary and it is absolutely fine to not want to do much with your life.
Only, you have to be strong enough to deal with your choice.
Performances - Ramlal, portrayed by Satish Kaushik, is an old and tired man. A tough role to enact, while Kaushik does a good job of bringing out the battle in Ramlal's head, I just couldn't sympathise with his Ramlal. Very often he reminded me of Eshwar (Anil Kapoor), from the movie Eshwar, in his mannerisms and gait. Again, a lot of over the top dialogue delivery just marred what could have been excellent, poignant moments in the play.
Having said that, I loved Ganga (Ramlal's wife), played by Seema Biswas. The sons, portrayed by Kishore Kadam and Raj Arjun, brought a very nice realism to Ramlal's escapism.
And though I am no authority on music, I have to say that the background score of the play was very good ! It blended perfectly and just set the right mood for the melancholy..
Overall, a good play, with some thoughtful insights into an everyday life.
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I just can't help but add here - For all the plays I have seen, I have loved the food at all the auditoriums !!
Shanmukhanda ho ya NCPA - khaane ka jawab nahi !
Garam garam Idli - granular and freshly steamed. Nice spicy chutney. Hot and amazing upma...sluurrrp...Somehow, I always enjoy the Indian fare more than the burgers and waffers there.
Really why don't we have more plays ??!
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This seems to be an amazing week. Yesterday Salesman Ramlal and tomorrow 30 days in September. Though I am not a fan of Lillete and Neha Dubey and didn't think much of their Wedding Album, I still look forward to 30 days...and hope it is a better fare this time around.
With the blessings of God and a very thoughtful friend, I will finally have Dhoop Kinaare in my collection.
I have already expressed how keen I was to have it.
Not just for myself, but even for my mom. She is a bigger fan of the Marina Khan series like Dhoop Kinaare, Tanhaaiyan, etc.
Anyway, I am writing this not because of Dhoop Kinaare, but because of this friend.
Searching for the series through the crazy Internet maze was not easy. Even more difficult if you have a list of friends, each with his/her own wish list.
Never known to say a "No" and always a source of laughter and happiness, I am glad for how things have shaped up for this friend.
I wish him all the very best and hope I get lots of goodies when he gets back after a two year vacation in London.
Till then, I will continue building up my download list.
I have had a chance to watch three of Majid Majidi's movies.
Children of Heaven, Color of Paradise and Baran.
Each, a masterpiece.
Very few directors can take mundane, everyday issues and turn them into meaningful cinema. Majid is very well versed with this.
Children of Heaven essentially is about a pair of lost shoes and the heartburn it brings to a little bro-sis duo.
Color of Paradise on the other hand, traces the life of Mohammed, a blind child.
Baran takes a look at a budding love story set in a war ravaged Afghanistan/Iran.
Now, Children...is really about Children. It's about innocence and kiddy issues, family love and sacrifice. Color...is again truly about a blind boy. It's not heroic nor does it offer any wisdom on how to deal with such a life. Baran is a soft love story, without a word spoken between the protagonists. It's not sleaze that we are fed by Bollywood every year.
I don't think Majid makes movies to preach. He does take up important issues, yet, tweaks them in ways that don't seem overtly academic. In fact, if you don't like to think, the issue might just not surface for you.
What also comes across is the fact that his stories are set, not in New York or Switzerland. He doesn't take much help from our so called "Modern day" technology or film craft. And there are just no eye candy protagonists.
Yet, each of his movies, stands out, for it's unkempt and raw beauty, plot, lovable performances and tender moments.
I could use more adjectives like Pure, Divine, Serene and Delicate. You get the point ?
It is difficult to make movies that are innocent, hopeful and yet heart breaking. Most movie makers mess it up with too much melodrama or an overdose of cynicism.
But Not Majid.
He dishes out fine movies, with heart tugging performances and lots of fodder for thought.
Having said this, let me also warn you, that his style of story telling might not satiate you.
You may want to see the characters smile and rejoice. And mostly, things do end up on a satisfactory note.
Yet, as an audience, you always feel the need for more.
Majid just doesn't give you the pleasure of a closure.
This very quality of film making, makes me love and hate his style at the same time.
I highly recommend Majid Majidi to one and all.
Do let me know if you have had a chance to watch any of his movies. Discussing the nuances of his style of film making would make me happy.
P.S. - If you don't choke/cry while watching his movies, please get back to me. I will refer you to a counsellor.
Food makes me happy.
Not just the eating part, but everything that goes in before the actual fare is ready to be consumed - the whole idea of a particular dish, its history, the method of preparation, the variations brought in by various regions, the trivia behind its sustenance...
I don't remember always being like this. Infact I was mostly content with whatever came my way. Simple, homemade dal chawal was often enough to make my day. Details never bothered me as long as whatever was served, was decent and palatable.
All through my teens, I prided myself on the fact that I could cook and survive, when cooking, was the last thing on the minds' of girls my age.It was so not 'in'! You cooked only if you had a guy and wanted to prove that you were a 'gharelu material'! Needless to add, I stopped stepping in the kitchen.
But how long can you keep the facade? Not long enough, if most ladies in your family love to talk about food, cook lavish meals and lap any opportunity to entertain guests with the newest recipe on the block!
Though this time around when I took charge of the rolling pin (belan, for the un-initiated), I was in for a rude shock! Gone was the bachpan ka pyaar and dulaar. All that remained were the perfection and finesse with which my mom prepared food, a model, I was asked to quickly follow. My lazy ways, slipshod methods and lax attitude had to be made redundant, if peace had to be given a chance in the kitchen.
'There is nothing like a bad food day Mukta!' Was often mouthed when I served anything less than good.
Now before you put on your over-imaginative thinking caps, let me assure you that my mom is not a devil. Far from it. Yet, when it comes to food, she can be very hard to please. Her own experiments with food began after marriage. That she turned out to be a fabulous cook, was a boon for the family and my bukkhad friends and a big bane for me!
Mothers who are good cooks can be hard on their daughters - They would love nothing more than to be beaten at the game by their daughters. This dawned on me fairly late.
My true experiments with food started only when I was in HK. After settling into the office, unpacking and crying had bored me to death, I decided to take charge of my life!
Being independent meant being really independent. So I decided not to depend on friends, Indians and office lunch parties to take care of my 'Paapi Pet'. All those who think I am being filmi, yeah, go take a walk
This round of my kitchen experiments was truly an eye opening, funny, satisfying and mostly, a humbling experience.
My weekly shopping trysts were loads of fun, specially, if done with friends. While they fretted over which milk to buy and what roti packets would last long, I mulled over which veggies to stock for the next week and what spices to experiment with. That I had no one to seek help from was daunting and liberating at the same time.
I was free to cook, eat, experiment, waste, order when lazy, skip when sleepy, hog when moody.
But with time I realised, that I wasn't very different from my mom.
Though wanting in style and speed, I too liked being methodical, I was equally interested in the details and would just not use shortcuts to save the hassle. Just Like for her, cooking was always an enjoyable activity and perfection would definitely come, but with patience.
I also realised that I cooked the best when I had no standards to match or expectations to meet. I loved it when after a long day at office, most friends called me before dialling in for parcel, just to check if I had cooked for them too, or had any leftovers. I enjoyed being told to 'head' the food department at the innumerable house parties my friends organised. AND I absolutely loved to surprise my friends with kheer, biryani, cutlets or dal chawal when they missed home.
All the above, made me respect the lakhs of women, housewives as well as working mothers - who cooked everyday, mostly without much appreciation, and tried their very best to brighten the days of their families, for food is not just about taste and aroma - it is very much about care, love, affection and bonding.
About my mom, I still have a million years to go before I reach her state of perfection, we still bicker on how things need to work in the kitchen and she still thinks I am a lazy bone who won't be able to find her way through the complexities of a kitchen-life. Yet, she is my best supporter, gets excited everytime I try my hand at a new delicacy and the only one whose approval and appreciation I seek when I cook.
I am not known to express my love in the open. Yet, just for this time, I have to say that I love my mom and am indebted to her for shaping my thoughts on food.
Well this post is special for another reason too. It is my first ever attempt at mobile blogging!!
Watch out all ye morons (all my friends), who dared to call me 'tech dumb'. 2010 will make you eat your words.
I had been wanting to watch Arth ever since I learnt what 'the other woman' meant. This story of "the other woman" has garnered enough attention and debate in the past two decades.
Arth deals with a much married couple, happy with life and it's everyday chores, until, the husband professes his love for another woman. All his assurances of always "being there" for his wife as a friend, are insufficient to bring back her broken spirit.
How the wife then finds arth in her being and whether a man/woman can find solace without being bound in the comforts of a relationship is what the movie is about.
But, maybe the moral fabric of the early eighties did not allow this privilege to Bhatt.
Some ageless questions that Arth raises -
- Would and should you continue with a love-less marriage, only because you are burdened with an emotionally dependant partner ?
- Will and can there be an end to the roving eye of a partner ? Can an erring husband/wife really remain fidel and be in love forever with a single person ? Can you be sure that they won't leave the second partner for a third, more exciting one ?
- If the tables are turned, will the erring partner, be magnanimous enough to forgive and forget and re-build a relationship ?
- Is it necessary to be in a relationship at all to complete oneself ?
God only knows what went wrong with his brain later on.
