My sole purpose of watching Aisha, was to see how someone (Sonam Kapoor) who claims to be an avid Jane Austen reader, recreates her master piece ‘Emma’ on the silver screen. Alas! Aisha is no ‘Emma’, though it’s an adaptation of it, but it could very well be touted as the desi Sex and the City.
Aisha Kapoor (Sonam Kapoor) is the archetypical uptown girl from super rich Delhi. She's smart and sassy, spending her time on animal rights, art exhibitions, polo matches and shopaholic sprees along with her newly found obsession – matchmaking. The film takes us on her journey on finding a suitable match for small town Shefali (Amrita Puri), by trying to hook her up with the mithai scions son Randhir Gambhir (Cyrus Sahukar). But first she must transform this behenji into a diva with the help of her BFF Pinky Bose (Ira Dubey). This challenge of hers just gets a tad bit difficult because of her childhood friend Arjun Burman (Abhay Deol) who terms her new social work projects as a meddlesome mess is always on an ‘Aisha’ criticising spree. Well, he doesn’t seem to be the only hindrance, the entrance of NRI bombshell Aarti (Lisa Haydon) along with feelings of jealousy, pride, ego and love seem to create quite a flutter and send our protagonist into a scurry. So are marriages made in heaven or can they be stage managed and does Arjun’s opinion really matter and most of all does Aisha succeed is what forms the crux of the story.
Firstly, the film completely dazzles with its style quotient. Rhea Kapoor comes across as quite a benevolent producer with each frame being picture perfect. Secondly, welcome to the life of the high flying rich young Delhi chicks that are sweet, svelte and stylish. Thirdly, finally we have one fun youth oriented female centric film wherein the concerns seem so recognisable and rib-tickling for anyone who has been through the match making game. And then, there is your distinct social divide of the uptown dude and dudettes and your downtown bhenji’s and bhaiyyas.
Along with this you have a brilliant soundtrack from Amit Trivedi which sets your feet tapping instantaneously and some memorable performances. Abhay Deol is a charmer throughout the movie and churns out another impeccable performance. Sonam Kapoor plays the role of a rich spoilt brat to the T minus her nasal tone which proves to be quite a hindrance when it comes to the dialogue delivery. Funny man Cyrus Sahukar manages tickling your funny bone as always, as the rich mithai scions bhaiyya type son, while Lisa Haydon and Arunodoy Singh provide the eye candy. Though the surprise package are Ira Dubey and Amrita Puri who give a power packed performance as the bindaas city babe and the behenji trying to turn mod respectively.
However, there is a flip side too. Unfortunately, the film is treatment oriented and not substance oriented and hence relies heavily on the dialogues, performance and the styling. The storyline remains untouched but the depth is missing. Though the film looks great it lacks substance. The love story though simple, the characters are complex and that was the highlight of the book. However, at times Rajashri Ojha (Director) makes the characters seem superfluous and overly obsessed with the L’Oreal’s, Chanel’s and Ferragammo’s along with the story taking a bit of the backseat. To add to the woes of those who have come for some meaningful cinema, well the film rides slowly in some portions on its high heeled stilettos.
Well, anyone who did go to see the movie (mind you it got a good opening) obviously went to see it for the wardrobes, the styling and the latest fashionista in tinsel town Sonam Kapoor. So for those expecting a dose of glamour and glitterati well you wont be let down, but those expecting a brilliant film full of soul and life, well, maybe you should give this one amiss, however, it’s a good time pass chick flick, hence a one time watch only for the girls.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Why
Sometimes life takes crazy twists and turns,
Days which are supposed to be your happiest, end up being your worst.
Things which are supposed to give you pleasure and joy
Leave you in despair and utter turmoil.
Why cant things be simple and straight
Happy when you want them to or just pass away?
Or why can’t we be as solid as a rock
Let nothing affect us and move on without any blocks?
Why do we let our emotions carry us away,
Into thoughts of misery and dismay?
Can’t we be happy all the way
Singing and dancing and have a merry stay?
Is it necessary to have these ups and downs,
Constant mood swings, laughter followed by frowns?
Why can’t we be there when someone wants us the most
When we want to be helpful but are helplessly lost?
There is nothing we can do but sit and stare
Watch life gamble away, with our emotions at stake
Bringing sadness to happiness and happiness to sad
Is that one statement - that this time will also go away.
The only thing constant, the only thing which will not stay
Which will play with our feelings, our situations, our states.
Why can’t we let time standstill just for awhile?
Till we solve all our problems and absorb the happiness that’s there…
Days which are supposed to be your happiest, end up being your worst.
Things which are supposed to give you pleasure and joy
Leave you in despair and utter turmoil.
Why cant things be simple and straight
Happy when you want them to or just pass away?
Or why can’t we be as solid as a rock
Let nothing affect us and move on without any blocks?
Why do we let our emotions carry us away,
Into thoughts of misery and dismay?
Can’t we be happy all the way
Singing and dancing and have a merry stay?
Is it necessary to have these ups and downs,
Constant mood swings, laughter followed by frowns?
Why can’t we be there when someone wants us the most
When we want to be helpful but are helplessly lost?
There is nothing we can do but sit and stare
Watch life gamble away, with our emotions at stake
Bringing sadness to happiness and happiness to sad
Is that one statement - that this time will also go away.
The only thing constant, the only thing which will not stay
Which will play with our feelings, our situations, our states.
Why can’t we let time standstill just for awhile?
Till we solve all our problems and absorb the happiness that’s there…
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monsoon magic in Mumbai
The monsoons have always been special for every Bombayite/Mumbaikar, and no matter how much the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) tries to make us hate the rains with the potholes, mismanaged traffic and water logging, one can’t help love the monsoon magic.
The city looks the best during this season as the skyline changes colours from different hues of crimson to blue to grey. Those endless walks on Marine Drive, Carter Road and Worli Sea Face suddenly seem to have a different appeal all together. The wind blows through your hair and the waves kiss your cheeks during high tide and splash onto the roads. Even Mumbai’s latest entrant – the Bandra Worli Sea Link has added to the beauty of monsoons. Driving in the midst of the ocean with the rains slashing against your car gives you different high all together. The only dampener is the speed limit. Also the view of the city is amazing especially with the foggy skyline.
How can I forget the fun of eating roadside food during the rains? Popping spicy pani puris which make you cry or eating chana chor garam as the smell of bhutta’s fill the air and even A1 sandwiches seem hard to resist.
The rains even change the atmosphere in my office. Everything seems so lazy. When it turns dark and grey outside its ironic how everyone in unison feels like having some chai or the canteenwalla’s coffee along with some kanda bhajia or hot wada pavs. It’s as though the rains and hunger pangs have some deep connection with each other.
Stuck in the Mumbai traffic, I look outside the window and see street kids jumping in puddles, dancing in the rains or making paper boats float brings and the scenes bring a smile to my face. It’s as though the rains have washed away all my troubles and made the world a better place. All you feel like doing is getting out in the rain tossing that umbrella and getting wet.
However, August is here and there is only a month more of the rains. After that it is summer heat and humidity all year long. These three months of monsoons are truly a blessing in disguise.
The city looks the best during this season as the skyline changes colours from different hues of crimson to blue to grey. Those endless walks on Marine Drive, Carter Road and Worli Sea Face suddenly seem to have a different appeal all together. The wind blows through your hair and the waves kiss your cheeks during high tide and splash onto the roads. Even Mumbai’s latest entrant – the Bandra Worli Sea Link has added to the beauty of monsoons. Driving in the midst of the ocean with the rains slashing against your car gives you different high all together. The only dampener is the speed limit. Also the view of the city is amazing especially with the foggy skyline.
How can I forget the fun of eating roadside food during the rains? Popping spicy pani puris which make you cry or eating chana chor garam as the smell of bhutta’s fill the air and even A1 sandwiches seem hard to resist.
The rains even change the atmosphere in my office. Everything seems so lazy. When it turns dark and grey outside its ironic how everyone in unison feels like having some chai or the canteenwalla’s coffee along with some kanda bhajia or hot wada pavs. It’s as though the rains and hunger pangs have some deep connection with each other.
Stuck in the Mumbai traffic, I look outside the window and see street kids jumping in puddles, dancing in the rains or making paper boats float brings and the scenes bring a smile to my face. It’s as though the rains have washed away all my troubles and made the world a better place. All you feel like doing is getting out in the rain tossing that umbrella and getting wet.
However, August is here and there is only a month more of the rains. After that it is summer heat and humidity all year long. These three months of monsoons are truly a blessing in disguise.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Expectations
Sometimes expecting things from people is futile.
Yet we have expectations.
Can’t we just be happy with those around us and who have been there for us?
But no we are humans, we are greedy, we want more.
Yes, we try. We try are best to give things amiss.
We try to ignore and be content with what’s there and what we have,
Because in reality even if we feel what we have isn’t enough, actually it is.
But unfortunately we can’t.
Its not impossible, its difficult.
How much ever you try not to expect you still end up expecting.
And why? What for? Just for them to come crumbling down?
Even if you try to think from their point of view
Even if the reasons genuinely seem genuine
Even if you know they may be right
You still can’t digest the fact and let bygones be bygones and move on.
Why can’t we live without having expectations,
Without wanting some people to fulfil them?
Why do we always look out for them?
Why cant we just be content knowing they were there and maybe still are?
Yes, right now they weren’t but tomorrow they may.
But alas! These expectations from people who are close
No matter what, we will still expect them and will still have expectations.
Yet we have expectations.
Can’t we just be happy with those around us and who have been there for us?
But no we are humans, we are greedy, we want more.
Yes, we try. We try are best to give things amiss.
We try to ignore and be content with what’s there and what we have,
Because in reality even if we feel what we have isn’t enough, actually it is.
But unfortunately we can’t.
Its not impossible, its difficult.
How much ever you try not to expect you still end up expecting.
And why? What for? Just for them to come crumbling down?
Even if you try to think from their point of view
Even if the reasons genuinely seem genuine
Even if you know they may be right
You still can’t digest the fact and let bygones be bygones and move on.
Why can’t we live without having expectations,
Without wanting some people to fulfil them?
Why do we always look out for them?
Why cant we just be content knowing they were there and maybe still are?
Yes, right now they weren’t but tomorrow they may.
But alas! These expectations from people who are close
No matter what, we will still expect them and will still have expectations.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Taking a chance
At times life seems to have come to a dead end
There seems to be no one to talk to, no one who a hand can lend.
There is so much to talk about, so much to say
So much of anguish, frustration and despair.
But when I look around all that I can see
Are strange faces full of deceit.
The feelings are hidden deep within
Waiting to come out, waiting for someone to listen.
But I don’t know why, there is a fear
A fear of betrayal, a fear of unknown pressures from peers.
I am scared, as I don’t know what they will think
Would they understand, make fun of me or with blankness just blink.
Or would they after hearing me out run away
Leaving me stranded, helpless and frail.
I know that someone is somewhere around
All I need to do is look up or turn around.
That someone could be somewhere right there
Supporting me silently by never going away
Maybe they have been there all along
And I have taken them for granted or on them my difficulties didn’t want to impound.
Maybe its time I open my eyes and see
That there are people who can be trusted and who are there for me.
People who I have never given that chance
Because things seemed safe and sound deep in my heart.
But maybe its time that the chance was taken
Till when would I grieve and deal with my own burdens.
Happiness grows greater by leaps and bounds when shared
But sharing worries just lessens the level of despair
I just need that light, that ray of hope
To show me the person who I can take a chance on.
All I need to do is take one chance
On that one person who is there for me whenever behind I glance.
There seems to be no one to talk to, no one who a hand can lend.
There is so much to talk about, so much to say
So much of anguish, frustration and despair.
But when I look around all that I can see
Are strange faces full of deceit.
The feelings are hidden deep within
Waiting to come out, waiting for someone to listen.
But I don’t know why, there is a fear
A fear of betrayal, a fear of unknown pressures from peers.
I am scared, as I don’t know what they will think
Would they understand, make fun of me or with blankness just blink.
Or would they after hearing me out run away
Leaving me stranded, helpless and frail.
I know that someone is somewhere around
All I need to do is look up or turn around.
That someone could be somewhere right there
Supporting me silently by never going away
Maybe they have been there all along
And I have taken them for granted or on them my difficulties didn’t want to impound.
Maybe its time I open my eyes and see
That there are people who can be trusted and who are there for me.
People who I have never given that chance
Because things seemed safe and sound deep in my heart.
But maybe its time that the chance was taken
Till when would I grieve and deal with my own burdens.
Happiness grows greater by leaps and bounds when shared
But sharing worries just lessens the level of despair
I just need that light, that ray of hope
To show me the person who I can take a chance on.
All I need to do is take one chance
On that one person who is there for me whenever behind I glance.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Suspicion post Nov 26th
November 26, 2008 – Has it just become another date for us to reckon with? A date which we popularly call 26/11, why because it is reminiscent of 9/11 or just sounds horribly familiar?
This was the date all of us in Mumbai felt anguish, helplessness, irritability and more so self pity. Some of our most valued landmarks CST, Taj and Oberoi-Trident were attacked and that too so easily. It just took a few completely brain washed and misguided to youth to sail into our city with guns, hire a cab, enter these landmarks and scar our lives forever, taking the entire city hostage, as simple as that.
For the first few days, there was aggression, unification and a desperate want for change. However, this aggression was just till talk shows; candle lit marches and political blame games. Within a few months everything went back to what it was. The fight for the right of the “Marathi Manoos” started again – so much for us being united. Again Mumbai turned up with the most dismal voting figures. Filmmakers and channels tried to cash on this issue by carrying out short telefilms on the issue, registering film titles relevant to the film, coming out with terror based films and worst of all B grade 26/11 films like 26/11- the love story of Kasab. Yes, a love story based on one of the men who traumatised millions and has 31 crores being spent on him. Our judicial system is still as slow, like the 1993 riot report has come out sixteen years later, wonder when Kasab will finally be convicted. Our security systems are like what it was before showing equal number of lapses. To show that security has been boosted, well there have been security guards at all public places which do the most foolproof checking – opening the bag, putting their hand in the bag and removing it in less than a second and letting you proceed. They wouldn’t even know if you are carrying a penknife forget anything else.
However, there is something which has aggravated and that is suspicion and distrust. Though we all seemed unified that night and a few nights later, after that the suspicion in our minds was suddenly ignited. When we suddenly see too much of hustle bustle or many security guards, for a minute we wonder, “Is everything ok or is there a problem?” When traveling we tend to be a little more cautious and with strangers we think twice before making any kind of conversation with them especially if they are perceived to behave strangely. In fact there were some people who even cried bomb hoaxes to check on the alertness of the police. To add to the trouble are these frivolous mock drills conducted by the cops which are literally a mockery of the situation. Especially when they say that, “this will help you know what you are supposed to do when such an incident takes place again.” Seriously, our they waiting for one more? These are still minor suspicions. Unfortunately this incident has also brainwashed others into thinking that if you belong to a particular community you may as well be a terrorist also. So it’s not only youngster like Kasab who have been misguided but some of us have been misguided by their own perceptions.
I myself remember someone abruptly stopping conversation with me in the bus after getting to know that I am Muslim. However, it’s not only some people suspecting Muslim but it is vice-versa also. A lot of Muslims won’t interact with others because they believe either the opposite person will consider them as terrorists, or they consider them as “kafirs”, or they are just insecure about their own religious identity getting lost. Our media made a big hullabaloo when Shahrukh Khan was detained at the Newark Airport because of his Muslim identity, what are we doing? We have defined a religion with an interpretation of Jihad. The ironic part is we have learnt the interpretation from these brainwashed people known as terrorists.
We aren’t only suspicious about the people living in our on country but it just gets heightened when you say you are a Muslim and that too from Pakistan. Why do we forget that every Pakistani is not a Hafeez Saeed, is not a Kasab and not a Zardari? There are innocent people there who are victims as well. However, for them all we have is a culmination of suspicion and hatred. I am not saying all of us feel that way but a majority do. When you enter the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi, you will be tracked by an Indian official, at the immigration you will be asked the same question a million time “Why are you going there?” sternly and when you reach Pakistan you are asked the same question but with curiosity, after all “you are Indian so you must be hating us”.
Both ways this suspecting behaviour is just tearing us more apart than bringing us closer. We may keep saying that these terror attacks were meant to shake us up and let’s prove to them that they have failed, we are still together. However, somewhere in our minds we have been shaken up into becoming more suspicious people.
This was the date all of us in Mumbai felt anguish, helplessness, irritability and more so self pity. Some of our most valued landmarks CST, Taj and Oberoi-Trident were attacked and that too so easily. It just took a few completely brain washed and misguided to youth to sail into our city with guns, hire a cab, enter these landmarks and scar our lives forever, taking the entire city hostage, as simple as that.
For the first few days, there was aggression, unification and a desperate want for change. However, this aggression was just till talk shows; candle lit marches and political blame games. Within a few months everything went back to what it was. The fight for the right of the “Marathi Manoos” started again – so much for us being united. Again Mumbai turned up with the most dismal voting figures. Filmmakers and channels tried to cash on this issue by carrying out short telefilms on the issue, registering film titles relevant to the film, coming out with terror based films and worst of all B grade 26/11 films like 26/11- the love story of Kasab. Yes, a love story based on one of the men who traumatised millions and has 31 crores being spent on him. Our judicial system is still as slow, like the 1993 riot report has come out sixteen years later, wonder when Kasab will finally be convicted. Our security systems are like what it was before showing equal number of lapses. To show that security has been boosted, well there have been security guards at all public places which do the most foolproof checking – opening the bag, putting their hand in the bag and removing it in less than a second and letting you proceed. They wouldn’t even know if you are carrying a penknife forget anything else.
However, there is something which has aggravated and that is suspicion and distrust. Though we all seemed unified that night and a few nights later, after that the suspicion in our minds was suddenly ignited. When we suddenly see too much of hustle bustle or many security guards, for a minute we wonder, “Is everything ok or is there a problem?” When traveling we tend to be a little more cautious and with strangers we think twice before making any kind of conversation with them especially if they are perceived to behave strangely. In fact there were some people who even cried bomb hoaxes to check on the alertness of the police. To add to the trouble are these frivolous mock drills conducted by the cops which are literally a mockery of the situation. Especially when they say that, “this will help you know what you are supposed to do when such an incident takes place again.” Seriously, our they waiting for one more? These are still minor suspicions. Unfortunately this incident has also brainwashed others into thinking that if you belong to a particular community you may as well be a terrorist also. So it’s not only youngster like Kasab who have been misguided but some of us have been misguided by their own perceptions.
I myself remember someone abruptly stopping conversation with me in the bus after getting to know that I am Muslim. However, it’s not only some people suspecting Muslim but it is vice-versa also. A lot of Muslims won’t interact with others because they believe either the opposite person will consider them as terrorists, or they consider them as “kafirs”, or they are just insecure about their own religious identity getting lost. Our media made a big hullabaloo when Shahrukh Khan was detained at the Newark Airport because of his Muslim identity, what are we doing? We have defined a religion with an interpretation of Jihad. The ironic part is we have learnt the interpretation from these brainwashed people known as terrorists.
We aren’t only suspicious about the people living in our on country but it just gets heightened when you say you are a Muslim and that too from Pakistan. Why do we forget that every Pakistani is not a Hafeez Saeed, is not a Kasab and not a Zardari? There are innocent people there who are victims as well. However, for them all we have is a culmination of suspicion and hatred. I am not saying all of us feel that way but a majority do. When you enter the Pakistani embassy in New Delhi, you will be tracked by an Indian official, at the immigration you will be asked the same question a million time “Why are you going there?” sternly and when you reach Pakistan you are asked the same question but with curiosity, after all “you are Indian so you must be hating us”.
Both ways this suspecting behaviour is just tearing us more apart than bringing us closer. We may keep saying that these terror attacks were meant to shake us up and let’s prove to them that they have failed, we are still together. However, somewhere in our minds we have been shaken up into becoming more suspicious people.
Mock Drill
While everyone has spoken about the polices reaction time and their efficiency during the mock drill conducted a few days back maybe we need to even highlight the 2 hours of grueling experience faced by some people within the Nucleus Mall.
At around 4.45pm, while we were working out at the Abs Fitness and Wellness Club, in Nucleus mall a group of officers with guns and in plains clothes entered the gym and took a look around. Though we were quite amused to see them and also a little weary of the fact that we cannot move out of the place till the drill is over, we weren’t quite tense initially as we were informed beforehand that it was a mock drill.
Then all of a sudden all of us were rounded up by the cops and told by these armed officers that we need to be taken to the Bund Garden Police Station for an identification check-up and if by any chance any of us stay back or question we will be “marked as terrorists”. So from there only the people in the gym were taken down to the road and stuffed in rickety rackety police vans – while the rest of the people in the mall and on the roads looked upon us. From there we were taken in to the police station where were made to identify ourselves. The identification process included us waiting in the police station till another police official was free to take down our names, addresses and contact numbers sans any proof to verify that we our who we truly our. After that ordeal was over we were made to walk back to the mall as they did not have free transport to take us back. On our route back it was more amusing to find cops drinking chai and chatting with each other and grinning at us and other passer bys wondering why we were made to go to the police station.
I do not have an issue with them conducting a mock drill but yes, I do have issues with the way it was conducted. Firstly, why were only we made to go to the police station and not anyone else? Well, one of the cops said because they gym was crowded well so was the rest of the mall. Secondly, how can the cops threaten anyone during a mock drill to come with them forcibly to the police station or else we will be marked as terrorists? If we knew and were informed there is going to be a mock drill it is a little difficult to believe that these cops did not. Thirdly, why were we cramped up as though we were a bunch of criminals and taken to the police station they could have easily called someone to take down are names, phone numbers and addresses in the mall itself. Fourthly, what kind of an identification check-up is this supposed to be without any identity proof? First you tell us if we don’t come you are a terrorist and then you believe our identity just by word of mouth. Lastly, why were our 2 and a half hours wasted in what could also be called a humiliating experience. If it is for our safety, well, how are we to trust our cops when one says it’s a mock drill, one says there are unwanted elements in the city so we are checking out the mall and another says because we have to check the mall as its on the hit list. Its high time they are honest at least to the people whose time they are wasting and also looking at the overweight officers who look far from fit walking around the mall asking if we think anyone looks suspicious, I don’t think we will feel safe. Next time they are conducting a mock drill maybe they should take into consideration of not wasting our time and not making civilians feel like criminals.
At around 4.45pm, while we were working out at the Abs Fitness and Wellness Club, in Nucleus mall a group of officers with guns and in plains clothes entered the gym and took a look around. Though we were quite amused to see them and also a little weary of the fact that we cannot move out of the place till the drill is over, we weren’t quite tense initially as we were informed beforehand that it was a mock drill.
Then all of a sudden all of us were rounded up by the cops and told by these armed officers that we need to be taken to the Bund Garden Police Station for an identification check-up and if by any chance any of us stay back or question we will be “marked as terrorists”. So from there only the people in the gym were taken down to the road and stuffed in rickety rackety police vans – while the rest of the people in the mall and on the roads looked upon us. From there we were taken in to the police station where were made to identify ourselves. The identification process included us waiting in the police station till another police official was free to take down our names, addresses and contact numbers sans any proof to verify that we our who we truly our. After that ordeal was over we were made to walk back to the mall as they did not have free transport to take us back. On our route back it was more amusing to find cops drinking chai and chatting with each other and grinning at us and other passer bys wondering why we were made to go to the police station.
I do not have an issue with them conducting a mock drill but yes, I do have issues with the way it was conducted. Firstly, why were only we made to go to the police station and not anyone else? Well, one of the cops said because they gym was crowded well so was the rest of the mall. Secondly, how can the cops threaten anyone during a mock drill to come with them forcibly to the police station or else we will be marked as terrorists? If we knew and were informed there is going to be a mock drill it is a little difficult to believe that these cops did not. Thirdly, why were we cramped up as though we were a bunch of criminals and taken to the police station they could have easily called someone to take down are names, phone numbers and addresses in the mall itself. Fourthly, what kind of an identification check-up is this supposed to be without any identity proof? First you tell us if we don’t come you are a terrorist and then you believe our identity just by word of mouth. Lastly, why were our 2 and a half hours wasted in what could also be called a humiliating experience. If it is for our safety, well, how are we to trust our cops when one says it’s a mock drill, one says there are unwanted elements in the city so we are checking out the mall and another says because we have to check the mall as its on the hit list. Its high time they are honest at least to the people whose time they are wasting and also looking at the overweight officers who look far from fit walking around the mall asking if we think anyone looks suspicious, I don’t think we will feel safe. Next time they are conducting a mock drill maybe they should take into consideration of not wasting our time and not making civilians feel like criminals.
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