Saturday, August 15, 2015

Comedy: Sense and Ability



 

Dostana, Bol Bachhan, and Happy New Year. Do you find something common between these bollywood movies? Yes, Abhishek Bachchan. Let’s try again, and find another common feature. Yes, they all are hit films. Okay one more time. Yes, they are comedy films.

After watching these films, I wondered why Abhishek Bachchan, still struggling to shape a successful career, doesn’t switch to comedy films. The only thing he could do nicely, I think.
And it’s not unusual. Many actors have chosen this genre and became successful.

Utpal Dutt: His sense of comedy was tingling but do you know he played villain earlier.
Govinda:  Unanimously, one of the most popular comedians of Indian cinema But, comedy was not his first catch. It feels odd watching him fighting and delivering hefty dialogues with flaring nose. But that’s not him. It seems that he is born to make people laugh.

Arshad Varsi: One fine day, I accidently watch a movie called “Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachao”. This film went unnoticed but Arshad Warsi’s performance made me think “Why doesn’t he try comedy?”

Paresh Rawal: He had won National awards for his performance in movies Sir and Wo Chhokri. Few not-so-memorable negative characters, and then switched to comic roles. Who can forget babu bhai in Hera Pheri?

Ritesh Deshmukh: I remember that I was furious when I heard Ritesh Deshmukh winning the award of best comedian for movie Masti. But don’t you think he is really funny?  

Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan, might have called ‘Happy New Year’ a nonsensical film (And, of course it is) but this film added a much needed feather in Abhishek Bachchan’s career. He did succeed while doing some interesting character like Lalan in Yuva. This character also had certain amount of humour and quirk.

I was hoping that Abhishek Bachchan will be seen in Dostana part 2, but he doesn’t seem to reprise his role in this movie while John Abraham is still there.

Abhishek Bachchan is the least successful actor in his family. Now it’s high time he should try and take his career a little higher. In my opinion, he can do this with comedy films. It’s his forte. Do you remember his cameo in a successful film like Salaam Namaste? He even won awards for best comedian for films Dostana and Bol Bachchan. And, most importantly, what he has to lose, anyway? It’s all about sense and ability!

And, just wondering why Abhishek Bachchan is looking like an guest artist in his upcoming movie "All Is Well? As if not enjoying his work.








Monday, August 10, 2015

Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini




In 2013, I read The Almond Tree and I’m so glad I did. It was wonderful. Heart wrenching.

The Daily Star praised this book saying: “The story is spellbinding…can do for Palestinians what The Kite Runner did for Afganis.

Now, I wanted to read….no not The Kite Runner but Khaled Hosseini. I chose A Thousand Splendid Suns.

"One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roof
Or the thousand splendid suns that hide behind her walls"

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a heart-breaking tale of two women from different generation, different backgrounds. Their struggle for happiness and love. Their inexplicable togetherness. 

Mariam, an illegitimate child, always yearns for her father’s companionship, acceptance and her mother’s affectionate words. Then, at 15, she has been pushed into a loveless marriage. Rasheed, more than 25 years older than Mariam, and beaten by his own past doesn’t seem bad until Mariam experiences painful miscarriages.

Laila spends her childhood with her father’s affectionate shade, her mother’s oblivion, and Tariq’s amity. The destiny, triggered by ongoing violence in Afghanistan, takes a cruel turn and throws Laila under the shelter of Rasheed and Mariam.

The story takes a complicated turn. Two women connect the way they are not supposed to.

This story is about impeccable compassion, unexpected love, unimaginable loss and grief, inexplicable loyalty. Loyalty so strong and pure that last for life and even after death. Above all, stubborn hope that refuses to extinguish.

The writing is simple and sketches a real picture. For me, highlight of the book is those beautifully written scenes that have immense power to tug your emotion. To evoke a sense of pain and loss.
Mariam and Laila are strong characters. Strong in their own ways.

But, I won’t say it was a perfect read as there were some low points. Sometimes, the author leaves some scenes open ended when I wanted to know a little more. Laila’s childhood could have been shortened. Description of Afghanistan’s socio-political situation is written in a very informative and factual manner.

But, if I ignore these things, it was a wondrous read! I’d recommend this to all, especially for those heart-breaking scenes. I truly respect Mr. Hosseini for that. Very few writers manage to shake your emotion so effortlessly and naturally.


Book Source: Personal Copy


Tuesday, August 4, 2015

In the lap of nature


 


didn't know rain could be so fascinating. I think as I watch; sitting in a nice balcony, fat raindrops falling on the gurgling stream passing by. What a pretty sight. It’s usually a mess in a hectic city and life. Clogged roads. Creeping vehicles. Blaring honks. Getting late for the office. Terse glances of my boss. Damp clothes struggling to get dried in my small balcony.

But, here it is different. I am in the lap of nature. Silence. Bliss. Nature at its best. Unsullied.

When I landed here this morning, I couldn't believe such places actually exist.

No, I’m not on a vacation. I’m not that lucky. I am here to attend an official meeting which hardly ran for an hour, gifting me this personal time.

The caretaker arrives with a steaming mug of coffee. He hands me that with a smile and leaves immediately. Good. I don’t want to miss this mesmerizing vista even for a second. Because I’m supposed to leave this place tonight. Sigh!

I take a sip and inhale the fragrance of nature. I love this silence and solitude, for a change. It may sound weird but I do. I love silence and solitude, for they listen to me and don't interrupt.

It’s for limited period. Then usual sounds again. Sounds of various types with various intensities. The wails. The screams. The nags. The taunts. The requests (And I can’t say a no). Interruptions. Never-ending blabbering. Hissing problems. The demands. And above all, the constant churning of wagon called struggle. Struggle to fulfil all the needs of people around me. As if I am the saviour for all.

This moment, I don’t want to think about that. But, they follow me like a large shadow behind me, ready to engulf.

Rain stops and after a while, the valley breaks into a sparkling brightness. I swig the coffee, cold by now, and almost run towards the stream. I want to touch the crystal clear water advancing merrily. I want to roam around for a while, aimlessly, absorbing the beauty.

I didn’t realize it’s dusk already. I have to go. 

“Can I sleep peacefully in the lap of nature? Can  stay here? Forever?”


No. I have duties and responsibilities, eagerly waiting for me. I have to go. But, I am grateful to my life for this lovely chance to witness the beauty of this serene place. For short-term solace. That I will cherish forever. 


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