Chintuji ...... a riot of simplicity and cuteness

“This story is about Hadbahedi, a utopian town. Wish it could be true!”

This film is Rishi Kapoor’s (Chintuji) tribute to his father Raj Kapoor, and believe me it is such a devoted attempt! However, I couldn’t help notice the stark resemblance of the storyline with Bhisham Sahni’s ‘The Boss Came to Dinner’; only here the whole village plays the role of the ever-sacrificing mother. I know it sounds clichéd here, but believe me it is quite adorable. The image of a utopian town and its people almost makes you wish that there was a real town like it. People are happy and content. They love and believe in each other, make ghor prayashchitt - they diligently attempt to amend and make-up for their sins, if any, are peace-loving, and are basically content. They’re a happy bunch who swear by their saint ‘Satyakaam’ and never wrong.

The tag-line: it is simple. However, it does take crisp pot-shots at real life biggies every now and then – you know, at the Mallyas, rail mantris, and Amar Babus who ride the film-polity bandwagon. The film apparently had a very humble promo work before release in September (I guess) 2009…so most of us probably missed it, but it is a cute must-see, if not an Oscar ensemble.

RK does a wonderful job. The film is directed by Ranjit Kapoor, of Jaane bhi do Yaaron, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Bandit Queen, and The Legend of Bhagat Singh fame. He’s also the father of Annu Kapoor and Grusha Kapoor, who've both bagged cute roles in the film, and have done well too. While the veteran Om Puri weaves magic with his amazing baritone from behind the camera, the adorable RK and Saurabh Shukla are cute and absolutely adorable on-screen.

The story is simple, sweet, no-glitz, no-nonsense running around trees in alien lands, hence, not much money flushed down…you know where. Well, so if you’re looking for a cute heroine, clad in pink-n-purple barely there tops and µ-minis, and fully loaded with amazing layers of make-up ….ohhhh the usual riot of colors on eyelids and eyelashes, hair and lips, nails and cheek-bones…this ones not for you.

There is a subtle green-eyed and dimple-cheeked lass, Kulraj Randhawa playing ‘Devika’, Chintuji’s PR manager, managing to add some gloss to the canvas every now and then. However, the still beautiful Kseniya Riyabinkina, you know the beautiful actress who played a Russian trapeze artist in Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker, steals the show in the 1 minute she appears on-screen. She still looks the same – petite, doe-eyed, innocent smile, just a few seasons added to her grace. Devika is paired alongside Priyanshu Chatterjee, who plays a runaway terror suspect, alias ‘Arun Bakshi’ - the local newspaper editor. He is apparently innocent and is being framed by the bad guys.

The almost crippled with make-up and tight-clothed Sophie Choudhury makes a small appearance, acting herself….you know a typical Bollywood chic ;) She does live up to her 9tanki image as well. & then there are cute and innocent village oldies here and there, who just run around doing their cute old guys’ acts making the story even cuter. It’s a nice film, a shame that it bombed at the box-office!

And here’s to Rishi Kapoor, he must be a real darling that he signed on to playing such a negative character....a completely spoilt brat…even though he’s playing his own real name. A thing rarely seen in this image-savvy industry. Hats off :)

lend me a drop, lend me a dip, drown me forever - I pray

"Man is a credulous animal, and must believe something; in the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones." - Bertrand Russel

Here’s something I had a faint belief in. I had also once scribbled it down somewhere….yeah….somewhere, can’t trace it now. But here’s the gist of what I had written – “Is it me, or has He saved me the best for the last”.

It was a pun…definitely….the He was – you know – the omnipotent Almighty! But I had written it down when I was toiling, and toiling so hard; sometimes the wait seemed like eternity. On some days I’d spend hours waiting outside W3 or face the lily pond in new campus…only there were no lilies in it then. It stared back at me and said nothing; I waited.

Then things changed …. for the best. He had saved for me “the best for the last” and I am so thankful he did. It’s so much sweeter that way and what I have with me now is that I have grown up. Thank you!

When I look now, I see the warmth; I see what I had been looking for, for years. And I see more. A crystal drop shimmering at the corner, stealing a glance from me. An enigma that I can decode when I look. A well of emotions that’s so deep, I want to drown. Lend me a dip, will you?

Chaos 2010 at IIMA: My last Chaos here - an eye-opener to me

IIMA - the heavenly abode of 600+ PGPs, about 80 FPMs (doctoral students), some 80+ faculty members, and another 200+ executive MBA participants. Chaos opens up the vent of adrenalin to IIMA, seeping into every crevice and channel; be it student, or faculty, and other dedicated workers here, every one is drenched to the core. An amazing experience - Chaos.

Chaos is random….as the name suggests – not much order or decorum maintained; that’s actually the whole point. I had been missing this event since the past two years: well, I was busy with my work. And believe me, just scanning the schedule doesn’t give you any idea how hopelessly chaotic and hence absolute fun it’s going to be. I missed chaos, and didn’t regret it, until this year.

I decided to go for the limelight events and some music and dance events – cumulating to about an evening and about 3-4 more hours of the total 50 rockingggg ones. Well that was the plan. The 1^st two days happened that way. However, I just loosened up from day 3, actually night 3. It was the Sonu Niigaam and Kavita Seth night and it was all absolutely amazing. We had so much fun: we danced, we enjoyed, and amidst that I kept wondering “would I ever make it to where he is standing today?” ….. that’s been my dream ForEver! On the next day, I was asked to judge an eastern solo music event – RAAGA. I accepted the work and had an amazing and absolutely heart-wrenching experience. I wanted to award at least 6 people…..who were all amazing. I also wanted to accredit another 6 participants, who were equally talented, but slipped during this particular performance. Well we were only allowed to give 4 prizes: 1^st, 2^nd, and 2 "consolations". Arghhhh….I hate that term….I wanted to call this set (at least) “you were equally amazing” awards.

After this event I spoke to some participants and two of these participants Kavish and Shubham touched me. Their passion for music was amazing. I felt the fire that I had kept simmering inside me – they set me ablaze. And I wondered, “what am I doing?” For years, I had been postponing the plan of pursuing music and dance in a hope that I’d take it up after I’ve secured my life enough. Ma becomes a bit worried about this craziness of mine….which I keep suppressed generally, only to fail miserably at times like this - when I am face-to-face with my real dream. I want it so bad! I know I’ll repent it at my last breath - repent that I didn’t even try. Well! It’s high time I gave it a real shot. I have decided to dedicate a complete year to hone myself and try myself out to check if I have what it takes to be there.

So here I am today. Chaos ended on the 31^st. Yesterday I planned – a well hedged plan – shooing away some of the most obvious risks associated with the clichéd “in case I fail”. Discussed it in detail with ma, baba, and a dear friend. I’m good to go! :)

I have three people to acknowledge for opening my eyes to tell me that I have to try it out for real, and not postpone it to be pursued from the ‘beyond’. Well, the maestro…Niigaam saab, the immensely talented being, during whose performance I shifted to a trance about a couple of times thinking of the real dream in me. And Kavish and Shubham, thanks little ones. I know it was barely a 10 minute interaction with you, but you touched me and shook the hell out of me. Thank you! You will stay dear to me, forever :)

I love academia…..well, I feel it’s a very sincere place to be in. I love research…..I do! But I love music more than anything else. If I could do both, I would: but I have to make a choice now. I’m giving myself 8 months (starting April 2010). If I can’t do what I want to….I’ll come back. I know, it’s not fair to dedicate so many years to academia and just 8 months to my real passion; but I’m a normal worldly animal….that’s all I can afford. I will try my best…..if I can see any light there for me, I’ll stay. I would love to multitask and manage both….but don’t think I’ll succeed. Let’s see! I’ll try whatsoever.

So, here’s “to Me”!