Anil Kapoor

Never thought i'd ever dedicate a blog to any other actor except SRK..:) but i realize that what we actually like, may not be what we think we do! I'll be dedicating a post on the workings of the minds on various aspects soon, but this one - though short, is for Anil Kapoor!

As I'm watching Chameli Ki Shaadi on Star Gold right now, I felt I must formalize the thought that for me Anil Kapoor is the one and only actor whose every film has been entertaining for me! I'm surprised at the number of times I always get hooked onto any movie if it has Anil Kapoor. I'm not much of a film watcher on television.. so I guess then that it's some credit to AK that I've always seen all his films on TV... must've seen Nayak a million times, also some weird films of his too... the names of which I still don't know.. :) There's this one where he's dancing with Juhee Chawla... a strange cheapo number with her in tennis skirts, then one in which he's some random publisher with a baby to look after, then one where he's a single father, then Judaai, Mr India, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Jooth Bole Kawah Kate, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai ...and many more. I must be the only person who also liked Armaan.. but it was only and only because of Anil Kapoor. I even loved him in Salaam-e-Ishq & Mann! It was tough battle for me as a viewer to see Aish go to Akshaye Khanna in Taal rather than him.. :) My favourite of course has been Lamhe, with Nayak coming a very close second. :)

I wonder if i can try and de-construct this charisma that he has. He's not traditionally good looking or something - on the contrary, was (and still is) this lanky and tall guy, with this very attractive thick mop of hair on his head... but then he's got a perfect blend of this typical Indian rustic charm and finesse... he's strong, very masculine, has intense dialogue delivery and enjoyed roles with a beautiful depth to them... of course all this is the on screen Anil Kapoor i'm speaking about... but huhhhh... that's all i'd like to know at least.. :)

I know i'll be seeing Yuvvraaj.. and though i don't like his look in it (in fact the whole movie looks a flop from its promos)... i know i'll still enjoy his performance there...

The problem is i've always been crazy over SRK... but what's this? - it's not all of his films that i like.. :) So now, even though i know i'll love Shahrukh in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (yes i'm quite sure about it!)... I admit Anil Kapoor's movies will always always rank as my favourite films on TV!

Coming up next: Pretty Faces

Human Globalization

I can't help but get goose bumps when I read Newsweek's special commemorative issue - Obama's American Dream. As America prepares itself for it's first freely elected African-American President, and I see pictures of his Kenyan farming paternal grandmother, his true blue American mother and grandparents, and his Indonesian step father - there's just one thought that keeps whirring in my brain - has the world reached the Tipping Point of Human Globalization?

Almost 150 years back, when Lincoln passed the motion to abolish the slavery of 'black people', an event like this would've been a Black Swan - but today, it's reality. Everywhere around me I see people of multiple faiths and nationalities belonging to one blood-family. While these people 'everywhere' may not be a majority population of this world, they are definitely changing the map of the global human psyche.

As Obama becomes the President of the most powerful and influential country of Earth, Africa - the largest continent on Earth, becomes eternally linked to America. It's a rare man, who does not feel the pull of his original or adoptive motherland. And it's a rare man or maybe there's only one man, who will feel the pull of both his motherlands - and be in a position to do something about it. The man, who will come closest to almost ruling the world, may never forget his roots to the world's poorest economy.

With this my mind moves towards the softer impacts of Obama becoming the US President.

Barack Obama is a man, who was once 'one of us'. He had no political background or Godfather. His bloodline is Afro-American. His livelihood was that of a University Professor, his family includes his wife and two daughters amongst a large set of relations. As he sets out to become the President, America and the world may see a man who is grounded in reality, and with that background when he gives us the mantra of HOPE and of CHANGE, I feel I may just have to believe him.

When I see pictures of his visit to a CARE HIV centre near Kenya, with small little African children - I wonder what must be going on in his mind. Did he think at that time (2006), about what he could do for these conditions, now, not just in his country but also his country of origin - and then maybe on a more humanistic level for whole world? Will this man be the first amongst his predecessors to actually 'feel' for his people and empathize with them, and honestly strive to change things without any previous political mindset hampering his intentions? I wonder if the world will see a change in the political perspectives of an American (read all influencing) President.

If I were that student, who took lessons from him in Chicago Law School, what would I be feeling today about my professor - the man who became the President? Would this man, who taught for almost a decade or maybe more, continue to remain sensitive towards the needs of educational institutions, teachers and of education in itself? As he speaks to the World, will his speeches remind the students (who could be lawyers, economists etc etc today) of their sessions in college, or any incidents of personal motivation from him? Would I, as an ordinary American have access to this man - the man who was once my 'teacher'? Today, do I have the opportunity to connect one-on-one with the President of my country?

I would like to believe, that Barack Obama and the likes of him, may be the harbingers of the new humanistic world to come.

And with that, let me get back to Isaac Asimov's Prelude To Foundation, where humanity has gone beyond the boundaries of Earth...

LiFE
been a long time since i've posted something here... life seems to have changed so much since the last post.. at least one indication that life's moving :)
increasingly realizing that life has a destination... this day to day living seems to be just a filler. there's a growing sense of uneasiness about the way life is moving, now that i've figured out the pattern. there are days when work keeps one on a high and sufficiently occupied to not think about anything else - 'am too busy' is the standard explanation one gives onself. then come those days when either work goes down, an emotional tie gets strained or suddenly, out of the blue, things stop working for you. in those few days, the philosophical self seems to suddenly wake up and everything feels meaningless, questions are raised about the way life is going... but well, come the next cycle and suddenly all the doubts vanish into thin air and life is normal again till the next drop.
what are we doing? why is there a constant emptiness in life? there are things one gets passionate about - some people are passionate about their jobs, some have hobbies and some are passionately in love. over time the passion fades, the enthusiasm wanes and things look bleak.
we all know there is a bigger purpose to life. but what is it? i know its different for us all. some poeple find purpose in charitable works, some find it in expression of some kind of art, and for a lucky few their jobs lead to satisfaction and a purpose.
what am i here for? will i just keep looking for the bigger purpose and never find it? will life be a constant roller coaster of emotional upheavels?
something just doesn't feel right. why aren't we taught about this stage in school? why aren't we prepared for life instead of being prepared to be a doctor or an engineer?
praying seems to help in these times, but sometimes one wonders what's the right question to ask our good lord up there?

gAngSter

well, this is the first time i'm blogging two posts one after the other, but they were both too important to be clubbed under one 'weekend experience'...

saw a movie called Gangster.... well i never write about my movie experiences and its not that this one was an exceptionally beautiful one that it needed a mention, but some performances really struck a chord deep within. one was that of Shiney Ahuja - i've seen him on screen for the first time, missed all his previous flicks and I cannot believe how well he acted - mostly silent, but the acting was all restricted to his facial expressions - which were superb to say the least! the other was that of the main protagonist Kangana Ranaut. horrible horrible voice to say the least - but what a fantastic performance... had to consciously remind myself that what these two did was a performance and was not real. says enough? well for whoever reading this - it's sufficient to say then that this is definitley worth a watch. the movie on the whole was 'fine'...not excellent, but i felt the performances and some scenes totally clinched the deal for this flick! oh, did i forget the third actor? well, then - let's just forget him... ;)

to the scene in which Daya enters a chawl room with a gun ready to shoot, and falls in love at first sight.... lovely, simply lovely....

D-dAy!

It's the day I've been dreading and at the same time really looking forward to, for the last one month! Today, the ratings for the first three episodes of my reality series will be out. Now of course, on the one hand I don't want to believe in it, but can't do without it either - let's just say, it's like friction - a necessary evil! :)

But I've got the perfect philosophy in place in case the numbers don't come! Arz kiya hai -

Bavajud-e yak hungama, paidai nahin
Hai charagan-e shabistan-e dil-e parvana hum

Translates into -
Despite the tumult all around, there is no real existence
As we're merely the lit-up lamps in the bedchamber of a moth's heart.

Cool eh??!!!Hmmm... so the wait is on.

Just don't feel like writing anymore.....

So bye for today.....

Banengein hum rockstars??!!!

Hello my dear blog! Feels so nice to be back... Hmmm... this blog will be a medley... of what's been happening, emotions, philosophy etc etc...spelling mistakes, grammatical errors...you name it! ;) well let me start by saying... reality show. well...we're having a reality show for the first time on our channel and the first one i'm ever working on! working on? well.. handling the marketing for it... my campaign breaks in a few days... and am so so so so scared!!! we've finalized a multi creative (??) campaign and now i feel...is it really communicating what i want to? god lord! does everyone go through this?? god knows......
well what else? life is moving at such a fast pace!!! but some pretty things
have been happening too...
got a lovely stalk of white orchids in my crystal vase on my worktable...looks so beautiful!!! have another addition as well- froggie...it's this damn cute stuffed toy! and oh...the table got a major makeover today... amonst hell breaking lose all around me...still managed to find time!! h eh e heh...also...this days my little room is so cozy and cute that i just don't feel like leaving it in the morning to come to work!! :)

oh...how could i forget... volunteering for the seeds of change exhibition. it's a soka gakkai initiative and so as a member am there to promote it... it's an exhibition of the most motivating and inspirational things doen by people around the world to change the condition of the earth. one place which will make you leave thinking that you have the power within you to make 'that' difference! all the members have been actively chanting to make this a hit - amen!

what else? oh! wrote shayari for the first time - as a friend said 'it's corny'..but well...i like it!! he he he!! here it goes....
Bekarari ka yeah samaa, ho raha hai gehra,
Aap ke ek lafz ke intezar mein , ho na jaye savera.
Muktsar si ek mulaqat ka hai khwab, bas aap hoon aur chand sunehra,
Guftgu ho dil se dil ki, ho jaye ishq ka basera.

Wah! wah! wah! wah! ;)

Well.... i guess i better run now... i either go for the campaign photo shoot or the program shoot.... what's life become? :) want a bigggggggg holiday!!!!!!

Dunno why, but i feel like ending with my chant.... maybe i want everything mentioned above to be blessed... :)

Name Myoho Renge Kyo.

Promise to write tomorrow!