Inception and Udaan Two Intriguing Movies this weekend

Over the weekend, I watched two movies, Inception and Udaan, to my surprise both turned out to be some of the best movies I have watched in recent times.

Christopher Nolan’s credibilities is well known with movies like Memento and Dark Knight but in Inception he crafted a movie that’s beyond brilliant and layered both narratively and thematically. For this magnum opus audience requires intense viewer concentration, raised thoughtful and complex ideas, and wrapped everything all in a breathlessly exciting action film. It’s a film built on possibilities and the boldness of pursuing those possibilities. Its a story of dream and dream inside dream in a recursive manner. If someone say just one line that, story is, through the use of a special device, construct the dreams of a target and use those dreams to implant an idea so that the target will make a decision beneficial to the individual who hired the team. Anyone but Nolan might would have forced theaters to distribute pamphlets to audience members in order to explain the complicated world he’s developed.

Its about dreams, some of the fact of the dream came alive, In dream time elapses slower then real, If you fall or die in dream you come out of dream , dream can be anything where law of physics can be defied and dreams are real when you are in but when you come out it feels strange. the film layers dreams on top of dreams to the point where a unique keepsake called a “totem” is required in order to inform a character as to whether or not he or she is still dreaming. Then you have people in particular roles like “The Architect”, “The Forger”, and “The Chemist” in order to pull off the job and delving too deeply into a mind can cause an eternal slumber called “Limbo”, using memories to construct dreams is dangerous because it can blur the line between dreams and reality. In addition, intruding in the dreams of another will cause the dreamer’s “projections” (human representations created by the dreamer) to attack the intruders like white blood cells going after an infection. And these explanations only represent a fraction of the terminology, rules, exceptions, or details that are necessary for creating the world of Inception. But it’s not a confusing movie if you provide it with your full attention.

The comparisons with The Matrix are inevitable. Both movies deal with the nature of reality combined with pulse-pounding set pieces that will be included in any action-scene highlight reel. But The Matrix is a freshman level course compared to the doctorate held by Inception, and it has nothing to do with how far special effects have come in ten years.

The other one Udaan is all about chasing dream. Much against our will, at several instances in life, one has to helplessly bow down to some entity – be it your teacher, boss, kin or anyone else. Udaan narrates a tale where a son is almost on an extended detention under his disciplinarian father’s domain. Through this allegory, Udaan inspires one to break away from all bindings of life and fly freely. Shoot In the beautiful city of Jamshedpur with least glamor quotient, this has many particlual instances that relates to owm occurance in life.. Udaan comes across as an intensely personal film; a coming-of-age story without the choreographed songs or road-trips; the anti-Wake Up Sid if you like. There is angst you can identify with. With Udaan, Vikramaditya Motwane makes a terrific directing debut, offering up a film whose images will linger in your head long after you've left your seat. The film reaches out because it's sincere. It tells Rohan's story in the only way it could have been told -- without the commercial trappings that might have made it an easier watch. And yet you're overwhelmingly happy that it isn't compromised cinema.

Tsamina mina zangalewa Anawa aa This time for Africa

The grand finale of FIFA 2010 world cup is just few hours away. Watching Mark Webber conquering Brits GP and waiting the clock ticks to Midnight to watch last hour of intriguing soccer with friends and drinks. Looking back at last one month, its a massive success for a nation like South Africa for producing such a beautiful tournament.Reading some reports prior to the start of the tournament, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Sepp Blatter and FIFA had gifted the World Cup to a country in collapse.

Jotting down some of the off field memories that will be there for next four years of this gala celebration of beautiful game;

Paul the astrologer, I have been watching sports with passion for last few years but I never freaked out more when one after another prediction of Paul, the Octopus turned out correct. I have my fair share of superstitions when it comes to supporting Indian Cricket Team, but this was outrageous for me at first to give space to Octopus who picks the team which will win the next match. Boasting the prolificacy of David Villa, the accuracy of a Gio van Bronckhorst 40-yarder and the sheer star quality of Diego Maradona, there is no doubt that Sea Life Oberhausen's Paul has captured the imagination over the past four weeks with his spookily accurate World Cup predictions.

Under-dogs outperforming the heavy-weights, Eouropean historical power house,France Imploded dramatically, Italy was ineffective, Englands rank ineptitude ensured was disappointing but we saw Ghana's romantic ride to the quarter-finals, Uruguay reaching the last four - through means foul or fair - and Slovakia sneaking out of the group stage. Even the South American royalty of Brazil and Argentina failed to reach the semi-finals, helping ensure that a new name will be etched onto the World Cup trophy on Sunday.Japan and South Korea both reached the second round for the first time on foreign soil and special mention should go to New Zealand who, if Netherlands are defeated on Sunday, will be the only team to end the tournament unbeaten.

Vuvuzelas

vuvuzelas are part of South Africa culture and a legitimate way to express delight at a sporting occasion, but they are, in a word, annoying. Drowning out chants and songs from supporters inside the crowd, the constant drone from the dreaded horns came to infuriate television spectators as well. They were especially irritating when played in unison to create a pulsing sound; like having a particularly nasty migrane while sitting in a beehive.

The Jabulani

The advent of every major tournament sees goalkeepers complain about the state of the official ball, no doubt looking to get their excuses in early when a shot squirms under their body, but this year was different. Goalkeepers, outfield players and coaches all lined up to lambast the Jabulani. Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo described it as "horrible", Iker Casillas said it behaved like a "beach ball" and, perhaps most damning of all, USA 'keeper Marcus Hahnemann simply said: "Scientists came up with the atom bomb, doesn't mean we should have invented it."

FIFA's Black Sunday

As staunch opponents to the introduction of technology, FIFA's bigwigs must have been shifting uncomfortably in their executive seats, prawn sandwiches left uneaten, when two glaring mistakes from match officials left a black spot on the competition on June 27. Firstly, and most notably, Frank Lampard's shot clearly crossed the line against Germany, only for Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda to wave play on, sparking confusion in pubs across England. Replays confirmed the horrible truth, and surely moved the game a step closer to welcoming technology, rather than fearing it. However the suspicion remains that Sepp Blatter will continue to be the John Connor to Hawk-Eye's Skynet.

In the evening kick-off, Carlos Tevez then scored a blatantly offside goal as Argentina defeated Mexico 3-1. Somehow, the replay was broadcast live to the Soccer City crowd so referee Roberto Rosetti immediately knew his assistant had made a horrendous call. Aware of the grievous mistake but bound by the rules to ignore the evidence in front of his eyes, the Italian had no option but to ignore Mexico's pleas to disallow the goal. Not a great day for the governing body.

The Heart-breaking Ghana's Exit ( A cheat became a hero at the same time)

Luis Suarez had a reputation-enhancing World Cup until he stuck out his hand and became the spawn of Satan for denying Ghana, the darling of the tournament, its rightful place in the semifinals. Even though Suarez did what just about any soccer player in his position would have, he made the mistake of not showing any remorse when Asamoah Gyan's penalty kick clanged off the crossbar and Uruguay went on to win the game. Instead, he acted as if he had just scored the winning goal of the World Cup final, allowing his teammates to parade him around the field on their shoulders. Although karma caught up to Los Charruas in their defeat by the Netherlands, Suarez's postgame bravado turned a simple act of gamesmanship into a morality play. He now gets a starting spot on the All-Hands Team lineup, joining Diego Maradona, Thierry Henry and Paul the oracle octopus.

Muttiah Muralitharan - Heroics against all Odds

Muttiah Muralitharan, one of the recent memories of IPL3, when Dhoni hit that humongous SIX to seal the Semi Final Spot, Murali sprinted in such spirit as if challenging Ushain Bolt and Asafa Powell. It speaks about the persona, who has taken more International wickets than any one other in the planet. Now he has decided to hang his boot, its time to celebrate a career which is nothing less than roller-coaster. But Smile was never away from the Tamil Tiger, who enjoys as special popularity in India especially in Chennai, where he is son-in-law of the city.

A great ambiguity surrounds Muttiah Muralitharan; some paint him as sinner, others sketch him as saint. He is proof of wondrous skill for some and evidence of rules being conveniently bent for others; he is champion yet he is cheat. Argument over Muttiah Muralitharan is unending, it is alive with bias (both ways), and it is absent of conclusion except this: the page on his life will be marked with an asterisk. It suggests something villainous, and perhaps it does not.

Athletes across all sports have owned careers shadowed by suspicion, great deeds blotted by acts of alleged dishonesty, fine skill tainted by moments of indiscretion. It is a stain no powder can easily wash off. Muralitharan's beauty has been corroded somewhat by controversy, but it takes too great a leap in imagination, too great an embrace of prejudice, to put him in such company. He may stoically bear the burden of defamation ("chucker", "thief", "javelin thrower"), but he is no Tyson, no Maradona; he is neither criminal nor apparent cheat. He has not sent vile text messages or snorted cocaine or assaulted a woman. He has not been punished for using unfair means for, the clamour over his doosra aside, twice he has been cleared by the University of Western Australia.

Murali may stoke debate, some of it cruel, but here he does not belong. This is a better man, a decent human being, a cleaner practitioner, a man whose tarnish is different. His asterisk is unique; it is his alone.

Some might prefer to see him as heroic victim, presuming that the future will give us clarity, that time and distance will allow us to recognise he that was wronged, as if in a way he was some Jim Thorpe-like figure. The Native-American decathlete was stripped of his 1912 Olympic gold and publicly vilified after it was revealed he had earned $25 a week playing minor league baseball in 1909-10, thus negating his amateur status. Eventually, after his death, public outcry led to a reinstatement of medal and reputation.

But Murali does not fit here either; he is not seen as having committed one minor indiscretion, or as an uneducated man unaware of the rules. He is not seen as manipulated but as manipulative, at least by his critics. Thorpe was possibly ignorant; Murali is viewed in parts of the world as audacious. Thorpe's legend has been universally embraced; with Murali geography determines the response: the East believes him, much of the West does not.

When he bowls, he knows cameras are focused on his arm, commentators on his action, and that words will be said, usually not pretty. Spectators in Australia simply bellowed "Nooo" with every delivery; an opponent has allegedly called him a "f------ cheat" to his face; every press conference is rich with allegation. It is an unrelenting pressure that demands an erratic response, either in behaviour or performance, but it has not come. This man has more character than we think; he has grace; he has been for some even heroic.

Through it all, Murali has stayed the course, remained committed to his craft; and his world record is testimony to a moral strength and self-belief that he is not adequately celebrated for.But still, for all this, history will not know what to do with Muttiah Muralitharan. He is certainly not a villain, he will never be fully embraced as victim, and he does not stand as a conventional hero. He is truly a man apart.

Democracy, Strategic alliance and Bandh

Two democratic events happened last week, which has completely different significance, different motive but shows the power of democracy. Opposition parties of India called an all India Bandh on this Monday bring the nation to stand-still and the other one is Former Australian Prime Minister was voted out to be the Vice-President of ICC by virtue of strong Asian bloc representation in ICC.

The Supreme Court of India had banned Bandhs back in 1998, but political parties still organize them. Still all Bandhs although being illegal are carried out which proves how weak is our judiciary system and politicians are not abiding highest court orders. Why Supreme Court failed to punished them? Despite all this the Bandh continues to plague our day to day lives. And today it is adversely going to affect normal life in many cities. Is this right way to protest by disrupting the common man's life? What will happen to poor daily wages workers and people who depend upon daily business or workforce? Will the Bandh decrease the price rise?

I agree for the poor and the middle-class patrons, rising petroleum products prices are proving to be the most unfair tax because it harms them the most. Already, the common man is feeling the pinch, be it in the high price of food commodities, transport, or other basic necessities.

In India, Bandhs or Strikes are a general weapon used by the political parties to express their protests against policies mostly levied by the Government. Even though these bandhs are supposed to be voluntary, but with the kind of shocking impact the political parties impose, people are forced to take part in these strikes. The Bandhs not only lead to paralyzing of normal life, but also force people to stay at home. Schools, Shops and offices are forced to close and the transports are put off the roads and life comes to a halt.

There have been a series of Bandhs, called in protest of the price hike etc, but did the prices ever went down? Why do we need the Bandh? How does a Bandh help to protests against the policies or killings? Does anything change after the Bandh? Has any Bandh had a major positive effect on life and society? Common man becomes the victim of the so-called bandhs without any fault on their part. Is this what the parties calling the Bandhs want? They are fighting for common man or causing more trouble to them?

People who are in need of emergency medical attention get affected the most. If they die who would be held responsible for the mishap? Only some cases get media attention while so many cases go unnoticed.

Offices and schools are forced to close resulting in loss of work and studies. With paralyzing work for the day it seems for them bandhs are more important than work. I am sure political parties will not compensate the financial loss that the people of India will incur in one day. They do not think about economic loss, which happens on a huge level because again the common man- the taxpayer will pay the amount and suffice for the loss.

Protesters motivated by these political parties destroy public properties; uproot railway lines, burn buses and destroying shops. One question that arises is that why are they destroying public property and what will they get from this? How easy it is to ignite other people's properties? But who will be the one to get affected when rails and buses stop to ply?

I am not saying that the common man should not protest. But all such means of protest will not at all affect the government. The protest should to be more selective and bear some positive results. Moreover, for whom are we observing all India close, for those lazy people who would enjoy a day off than to resolve issues of social interest.

If the politicians are so worried, why don't they go on a hunger strike, that will also force the government to reconsider the decision but it will not be at the loss to people of India. Political parties no matter whatever ideologies they follow, their main duty is to work for the welfare of this nation & its people.

In my view, instead of Bandhs, they can protests by wearing black arm bands, by sending continuous petitions to the President, by staging dharna, hunger strike outside the Government offices and compel them to rethink about the policies. Further, the judiciary system should ensure that people who do not want to be part of the so-called political Bandh should have all the liberty to continue their work or move on the streets without any fear. Law and order should be implemented in stringent way.

The other big shocker of democracy was rejection of John Howard from ICC vice-presidency. Whether he has experience of managing cricket is not in question because he has zero knowledge on that, but he has experience of managing a country. His love for the game is as equal as current ICC president Mr Sharad Power if not less. The saddest thing about the rejection of John Howard's nomination to the vice-presidency of the ICC is that, prima facie, the cricket world has split, once again, on the lines of race. For years that was cricket's ugly truth: the white nations v the rest; the us v them syndrome underpinned every major conflict in the cricket.

There are different ways of looking at it. One is this. Seven members of the ICC board didn't want Howard as vice-president. Clearly, he shouldn't then have been vice-president and president-elect. Democracy doesn't always produce the best outcome, but who'd rather have the other system?

Howard was not the best candidate in the eyes of the cricket world. Even between Australia and New Zealand, he was not the unanimous choice. New Zealand wanted John Anderson, the former chairman of the New Zealand board and a proven cricket administrator; and most other members would have preferred him. But Howard was nominated through a rigorous arbitration process, and New Zealand accepted the verdict with good grace.

Similarly, another process has been completed now. Howard's candidature needed to be ratified by a two-thirds majority - it might never have been applied before, but the provision exists. All over the cricket world, non-executive positions - presidents, chairmen - come through an electoral process, which rarely throws up the best possible candidate. Pawar became BCCI president that way, as did Giles Clarke.

There were clear signs for months that Howard's candidature was unlikely to go through, but CA chose to ignore them. Cricket South Africa chairman Mtutuzeli Nyoka wrote to David Morgan, the then ICC president, pointing out that an "overwhelming number of directors were opposed to Howard". It was strong letter which accused Morgan of acting unconstitutionally, a charge Morgan denied equally vehemently. And the Sri Lankan board openly said that they would vote against Howard. Cricket Australia was within their rights to stick by their man. Howard himself made a trip to Zimbabwe, another known opponent, to lobby support. Evidently that mission failed.

There is one crucial difference, though. In a political process, even if it is mere posturing, everyone knows who stands for what. In Howard's case, no one, apart from the Sri Lankan board, has articulated the opposition to him. And the Sri Lankan opposition - that Howard came from outside the realm of cricket administration - was so flimsy that it can't be considered a powerful enough argument to disregard a candidate chosen by two members following due process.

Rajneeti -The Movie

Firday night, after a hectic week at office, watched Movie "Rajneeti". Prakash Jha is a director who has given us hard hitting films like "Apaharan" , "Gangajal" with a backdrop of crime and politics and they have earned rave reviews from the viewers and critics alike. Although movie revolves around politics, crime, violence, the resemblance of the plot with the great Indian epic, The Mahabharat. Although many has different views about the movie, The screenplay is crisp and it kept glued to the seat. The film buffs may also be able to find some similarities with the cult film Godfather.

The epic Mahabharat is always far intriguing story than any of the story goes. Wish someday some one will take onus to pro tray this epic in 70mm within 3 hours. If we can watch Sagas like Lord of Rings so many times, why not Mahabharat. It will be fascinating to watch the greatest story, politics and battle field stories depicted in script. But I stick my neck out while I am wishing some one credible film maker take this task, justice has to be done this great epic. Once I heard Amir Khan talking over a show that he need at least 10 Years to make a Film on Mahabharat.

Coming back to movie, even though it shows dark side of politics, violence factor was very high. I feel we have to redefine censorship definition, It is not any raunchy scene that should decide whether its for Adult only or not. Films like this which pro trays glorification's of conspiracy, betrayal, cold blooded murders and violence should also be fall in guidelines which takes guard of the effect this may on child mind.

God Must Be Crazy About Sachin

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, Even God must be crazy about him. I remember Harsha Bhogle giving him a very famous complement, " Commit all your crimes when Sachin is batting. They will go unnoticed because even the Lord Is watching". I myself, not a great believer in comparing Sachin as God of cricket but he is undoubtedly greatest Hero of Cricket or more accurately for a generation he is the only meaning of cricket.

I want to share my ecstatic feelings of today along with some of crazy people whom I know ,who almost venerate Sachin as the undisputed hero of this country. For the very first time when I come to terms with this game, there was a 16 year old curly hair boy was giving an Interview to Tom Alter just before the West Indies tour which he missed. Since that day I developed love for this beautiful game, which may be envied by girlfriend of mine but its first love of my life. As a kid living this game in Mantra of "eat cricket, sleep cricket", used to dream of success of Indian team with infallible Sachin. I used to plot Innings, where there is one batsman can score more than any one, and needless to mention, it was only Sachin. I wanted every record of this world in Sachin's name. 1994, Brian Lara broke Sobers's Record, I wanted it to be in name of Sachin. Those time the maiden ODI century was still eluded but I wanted the Desmonds Hayne's Record of 17 ODI century only by one guy. When Saeed Anwar tormented Indian attack in chennai on a1997 summer afternoon, the agony in the heart was just dreaming for an Innings overtaking his highest score in the same match itself. Yes I am greedy but I know lot of people who deep in their heart agree with me.

1st ODI century came on a Ganesh Puja and as we say it was just a shri Ganesh, it followed with flurry of centuries. Records which were pre-written name of Sachin's were broken in due course of time. There were detractor talks about 'winning cause', 'when it matters',blah.. blah.. but one thing no one take away the bludgeon gigantic figures of the statistics. Yeah I remember Sidhuism, "statistics are like Mini-skirt, they hide as much as they show". But no one on the universe take away an ounce of it.

But a double century in an ODI and overhauling highest ODI individual score is a dream of last 13 years. This may be greed from a fan point of view but if anybody else on this earth deserve more than Sachin. This is one of the dream Inning that I plot. At 36, Tendulkar hasn't shown signs of ageing, and his sparkling touch in both forms of the game has ruled out all possibilities of him checking out anytime soon. Fatigue, cramps and paucity of time have stood in the way of batsmen going that extra mile to get to the 200-mark.But above all what stood is grit and determination to excel and outperform sachin himself. As he himself appropriately point out that this century is for the people of India. This is for the craziness of people who wants Sachin to conquer every possible batting record.

There comes a time in the life of some sportsmen, only some, and it rarely comes more than once,when they believe they can do anything , even fly, when the idea of being vanquished is a distant, lonely world that strange being inhabits,when the mind ceases to comprehend fear and when confidence breaches its barriers and flies forth into audacity without even recognizing it. They call it being 'in the zone' and no drug has taken man there, for this is the lovely , unscripted real world. Today was that 'in the zone' where it was flawless, Midas touch of artist, Epiphanies music of ball meeting center of bat. It brought all the country men to stand on their feet and bow down for a genius that has given his country so much yet we still ask for more. The majestic run machine adapted every new age challenge and transformed its effectiveness to a higher level.

Over the years I have watched Sachin play cricket. I have marvelled at his skill, admired his work ethics , been taken aback by the unwavering dignity that has accompanied him everywhere, often in the face of provocation. But now more than ever I find myself experiencing a craving for Sachin'. I want to watch him more play cricket to take my mind off this tenacious shroud that covers and darkens the rest of the society.

Thank you little master for everything, we expect more and who knows a Triple century in longer version of game or may be overhauling Lara's quadruple.

I am an Indian

I am an Indian and I am proud to be one, after being an human being my next identity is being an Indian. But seeing some of disturbing pictures of Mumbai, I sit back and think what is a definition of India, a country which calls it self as the largest democratic of the world. But now we need to debate civil rights and the good the bad and the ugly every thing is on TV.

But what seems to be most disheartening is that, in an age of open economy, outsourcing, globalization, a section of political activists says who is from where, who is allowed to stay where, who is not allowed. Mumbai or formerly Bombay, the first things comes to mind is city of dreams, city of reel life, city of business, a fascinating journey. Some one comes and say it belongs to only one section of people and some one coming from other part of same country is labelled as outsider. It creates a doubt in mind why is this dysfunction. On the contrary same political outfit warns not to allow Aussies play in India due to racial attack in Australia. Is not it same racism inside house.More accurately regionalism , but how can we withstand this.

If Mr Shahrukh Khan give a statement which oozes the sentiment of billions of Indian, there should not be some one threaten him to leave the country. Its unfotunate that Indian Premier League will miss some best of world players but that is more due to kind of time we are leaving. If Mukesh Ambani says Mumbai is for all, he has reasons to say. The business tycoons knows that if economy has to run in a city like Mumbai then it needs to embrace every one from each corner of India and even from every part of world. If Sachin Tendulkar says that he is an Indian first, then a Mumbaikar, he speaks the heart of a nation. He is a prodigal son of the city whom every Indian has made a part of their own family.

Few mob mislead by some opportunist politician can not question the sovereignty of the country. First thing comes to mind that there should be a complete media black out to all these nonsense speeches and press statement. If people willing to use media then media should be more stringent in the coming to terms with these people. Media plays a vital role to bring the correct depiction of all that happening. But sentimentalization may work for these people. Media should be cautious enough to not to make these people icon in the mind of common man.

How does one square growing metropolitan multiculturalism with the linguistic basis of states which supports the idea of a single predominant regional culture? Should the major cities stand apart from the states they govern, islands of multicultural churning rising from mono culturally flat hinterlands? A lot of people in Mumbai believe this has already happened, and they are willing to defend their new habitat from the violent, monocultural Senas through political debate.

But when civil rights are attacked, debate becomes redundant. Mumbai should rather insist on legal action, with the vehemence with which it demanded security after 26/11.

But despite cynicism, the civil society and media have growing voice against the Sena and the MNS.Will this signal a change in the fight against exclusivist politics? Or, will it be back to the usual politics after all the rhetoric dies down?
And Every one in this country will proudly say I am Indian.