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.

Sachin You are Human

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, A name echoes in billion of hearts and says that I have a part of it. Sound odd, clock back to early 1990s when a country ridden with riots over whose Mandir or whose Mosque,economic slowdown, terrorism crippling the northern most part, Business capital was thrown into shattered by a Don, greatest Scam in Stock Market,corruption charges against the top leaders, former prime minister and prodigal son of royal family of nation assassinated, not an entry in medal list in Olympics. Among these there was a 5ft 6inch teenager with curly hairs goes into the arena with his wooden armour and fights for the country, some time as a front warrior ruthlessly dominating and sometime an unicast role,but the bravery was never in question. That is what this cricketing phenomena gave this to country. At the advent, he was born genius and no nobody did a second thought into it. But geniuses have additional burden of expectations but his burden was manifolded when he carries a dream, a hope, an imagination iof a million in his sleeve every time he went into the 22 yards.

The way Sachin's presence in the pitch soothes India is unique and nothing can even compared to it. Everyone has nothing but to agree to that the day Sachin hits a century, there is smile in every one face, it does not matter how much personal problem may be, a fine innings from the genius results in an ecastic child going to school, a jubilant boy discussing with friends, a enthusiastic professional working with satisfaction, a happy married couple, a satisfying parents having fun with kid. Am I gone overboard, no I am not and think this everyone might have came across. His icon status in the late 1990s when country 1st came in the path of vibrancy gave everyone a hope, an idol to look for. The balance he maintains ins both inside and outside field is what makes him an class act.

Sir Don Bradman saw this talent in 1996 and but by then we had already gave Sachin the status of demi God. It will be arrogance to say that this one statement from Sir Don uplift sachin into a different zone altogether but this statement made Sir Don much much more popular among a common people of India. At the age of 25, he was a world beater. In a country where gears are shifting to a younger generation Sachin motivated its youth to aspire not just compete but winning the race.

Such was the arrogance was the expectations that it started believing that he can not fail. everyone wanted not just best but perfections. Such was the arrogance that detractor were pointing that he attained supremacy and now he will be riding the other side of the hill. Despite the ageing body mechanisms and so may injuries he still stood vindicated. Each time he came back and explored the peak never achieved before. when an 16 year old sachin burst into this world of cricket, each of the batting records were presumably written in his name. But Sachin has taken everyone of these to a different level where even he himself might not have thought. He has indefatigable dedication and he understand intimately his own gift, and at length to lavish it upon others. Tendulkar's method promotes an air of calm, reassurance and poise at the crease. Brian Lara's batting is characterised by explosion and violence, and Steve Waugh's by grim resolve, but Tendulkar's ways are timeless.

How easily he carries the hopes and takes responsibility for the well being of untold millions on that impossible subcontinent; in this, he is also divine. All eyes are upon him, day and night, but no scandal has attached itself, not in his private life nor in his cricket endeavours. Across the land, he is the little man on the big posters and hoardings, creating a kind of reverse Big Brother effect; he is not watching them, but they are watching him. Still he stands tall. There is even about him, as there was about many saints, something of the ingenue. He is not a natural captain for the modern era because he can lead only by example. He does not have a charismatic presence in a cricket stadium, but rather fills it in a different way, as the one certainty in a sea of doubt. Batting is the most fraught of sporting pursuits because even for the best the end is only ever one ball away. Tendulkar seems to turn that verity upon itself.

Abundance brings greed alongside with it but this man is different, when the Guru himself that his trusted skills need fine tuning, he is not ashamed of lowering himself for a bigger cause and fight without it and still comes out with the best results ( Sydney 2004 or Oval 2007). He regains and fires with more potent. Everest of achievement still gives critics say so many things that is not achieved but it is the celebration of phenomena that peak looks like half way mark. He has failed but that only proved that he is a human.

Happy Birth Day Mr Khan - The entertainer

Wish you many many happy returns of the Day Mr Shahrukh Khan, the king of Bollywood, an enigmatic entertainer.

Shahrukh Khan is definitely the King Khan and to his credentials he has proved by taking the world heads on. From a guy who came to the tinsel town with a sum of 15,000 Rs staying in Aziz Mirza house to the highest tax payer of the country his travails has been leaps and bounds. He came infront of the lenses as Abhimanyu Rai a bright but naughty Soldier of Army in TV soap Fauji and he has never looked back since then. Bursting into the silverscreen as lover boy may not have worked initially.Then Raju became gentleman but it was the vengeful dual role of Ajay Sharma and Vicky Malhotra in Bazigaar that grab the attention of public. The villain quotient was persuaded in Darr as Rahul Mehra ( his 1st movie as Rahul) pronouncing KKKiran epitomized his mass popularity. The Sunil of Kabhi haan Kabhi naa was a picturesque of a teen age romance and dreams and till date one of the best SRK movie. He mastered the art of romance, tenderness, emotions as Rajs' and Rahuls'. His epic performance as a lover boy no can just resist, a fantasy boy for every girl, wealthy, spoiled brat,mischievous yet sensitive, a mothers' son, a sister's brother and youthful romance.Wins the heart of millions. Raj Malhotra has to rank as one of the most popular characters in Indian cinema history. Shah Rukh was charming, affable, boyish, and intensely romantic in this landmark Aditya Chopra film. The Rahuls and Rajs are the dreams of girl, they are heroic, they can jump hit the stage in college and yet go to temple secretly for prayer. He cheats in the basket ball to a girl but still hero in college, when his motherless daughter stumbles to speak about mother he goes to stage delivers a touching sentence that speaks the affection of mother.He may be arrogant in asking the girl but sweetness of the smile is too hard to ignore. He may not be MJ but can do a darde-e-disco and bend on knees proposing the beauties. Yet he is humble enough to benignly carrying his affections. He is not vulgarl but sexy that fairer sex is always attracted to.


But SRK has come of age and his some of the flicks off late has been stand out. As Mohan Bhargav, an NASA scientist, he embarks an imprint of next India that leaves outside and participating in the progress of human development.He Endears himself to its people of a village , he also encounters some of its harsher aspects with a thought provoking performance. Chakde India was a real winner with emulating a disgraced hero wants to make his slate clean by achieving what many has discarded as irrelevant and impossible. Working with a team of eleven girls and yet not romancing with anyone them and instead making them think what is nationalism is really phenomenal.Chak De India! — a film, which will not only be considered as a milestone in Bollywood, but as a movie that reinstated the confidence in the youth of the country.

For me he was still a great actor but he jumped a giant step with his mass-appeal when he returned back to small screen with hosting KBC. He had a very big shoe to fill in,a role that he took over with great aplomb. And despite all controversies and the reported media war between the two titans, SRK stood tall and was successful in striking a chord with the masses.

Then he went on buying a cricket team and all the fan fare, marketing and commercialization. The glamour he bought into different arena of life. Yet he is still humble and above all still he maintains his great sense of humor. You throw him any question in the world he has the judicious answer. He uses Media and media uses him and both reciprocate each other. He is every where both in views and news. He is asking everyone to "Express Yourself" by AirTel, Catch the I10 Hyundai, Asking to Wish for the Dish TV, or be it Fair and lovely for men so he is, or sunfeast food brands or brands for upper class like Tag Heuer. He is currently ruling the entertainment chart. To his credit he has achieved all these starting from ground zero.

On this day of celebration in "Mannat" wish him all his mannat to be full-filled and keeps on entertaining the way he is doing it for last quarter century or so. Again a very happy birth day king Khan.

David Nelson Hop Shepherad Out !!

In between the swashbuckling innings of MSD, when I heard the sad news of demise of David Shepherad , the first thing was the great loss of a great gentleman from the gentleman's game which is gradually dominated by raw powerful young boys. When you see David Shepherad walk into a ground for officiating a game of cricket, you can see the authority he carried. He was unfurled by the bad boys of the game. Yes, of course his hop on nelson number 111,222 is what is more made him more popular but his contribution to the game is enormous for his honesty, judicious decision that has maintained the scantily of this wonderful game in this age of high technical infusion. Doing all these tough job he can still be smiling and keep charting with the player. I still remember some remarkable decisions and this tubby character was always in complete control of the field. Paying a tribute to the old man for serving this game that we love and keeping every decision in right proportion.

Who are Maoists In India

Few months ago,Mr Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, addressing a meeting of the standing committee of the chief ministers of the six Naxalite affected state,argued that factors such as exploitation, artificially depressed wages, iniquitous socio-political circumstances, inadequate employment opportunities, lack of access to resources, underdeveloped agriculture, geographical isolation and lack of land reforms contributed to the growth of Naxalite movement.

The annual report of the ministry of home affairs (MHA) 2005-06 says that “(n)axalism…is not merely a law and order problem but has deep socio-economic dimensions” (p 23). The ministry of defence in its annual report for 2005-06 claims that “left wing radicalism and extremism (is) motivated by prevailing socio-economic deprivation…” This gives the impression that the government is walking on two legs; fighting a “low intensity war”, as well as promoting good governance and development. Officials executing the policy on the ground in Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, however, describe this to be an “undeclared war” .

Politics is a struggle for power. To advocate seizure of power and to work to change the world is a legitimate project.Whether this should be through armed struggle, peaceful means or a fusion of all is an open question. But to advocate as an absolute must the disarming of people concedes to the government the right to a monopoly over violence, and a free run to exploiters and oppressors. Nevertheless,the question of means and ends are important. In the sense that whatever be the form of struggle, it has its dos and don’ts. Armed struggle does not mean a licence to loot and kill. Between the two extremes of valorising war and abhorrence of war lies a middle ground of social reality,which accepts that internal war cannot be prevented until governments opt for a peaceful resolution of conflicts. What policies or changes are being introduced that restore to people their right to live in dignity and freedom? Why should people wait patiently for a change in their lives while the prosperity of the already privileged rises exponentially? By all means fault the Maoists for their shortcomings and crimes. But respect them for fighting against exploitation and oppression, which refuses us the luxury of ignoring the plight of the sovereigns.