Stuck

I am a sucker, a total sucker for nice going, melodious songs.. It may sound like a simple enough criteria for soundtracks..
But nope, is not for most parts. Most of the tracks out there don't even come close.

Seriously you wonder whats wrong with music directors of today, the songs are not even melodious, forget catchy! (E.g. Dhoom 2, soundtrack of which sucked big time!)

In the middle of all that there are 2 soundtracks that outshine the rest by some outer space metrics :)

Guru - A lot of people did not like it, I guess I wasn't too impressed myself at the outset. But I stuck to my gut feelin about Rahman soundtracks which have to be listened to in repeat mode to appreciate them. Which I did, and I have come to appreciate the songs. I don't think its spectacular, but I will not make the mistake of comparing it to any other Rahman creations coz its just not fair. As long as a soundtrack has at least 3 songs that have you humming, you have a winner and this one definitely does that for me.. I will not get into hashing and rehashing of the album, you can check out this, which is an echo of what I think of it :)

Salaam -e - Ishq - Now this is a typical SEL (Shankar Ehsaan Loy) composition. They are also quickly getting into a stereotype.. at least in my head :) But thats not such a bad thing coz their stereotype is Good Music ! Till date their soundtracks have not dissapointed me, even if the movie is a complete zero (e.g. Dil jo bhi jahe, Yeh kya ho raha hai etc). There are at least 2 nice songs per album if not more..

Now, even SEI (yes, I am heavily into acros now a days) is a winner as far as I am concerned, there are 3 songs that I have in repeat mode right now in my player. I just cannot stop listening to them. I am sure the rest are nice as well, but I just havent gotten over these 3 so I will get to them in a couple days :P

"Dil Kya kare" - This one is an Adnan Sami song sung with such an understated energy and attitude, sheer pleasure to listen to it. Very nice guitar work as well (maybe some scottish pipes too :P). The song has an acoustic feel to it..

"Mera Dil" - Ha , every album of theirs I wait for that Shaan song which will outshine the rest :) And I got one as expected in this one, breezy song that reminds you of "Kuch to hua hai" from Kal ho na ho.. But a lovely duet nonetheless with the new singer Nihira whos done a good job...

The title track is typical number, you get a sense of deja vu with it. But its again a foot tapping number so you are not disappointed. A lot of talented singers again (SEL are second only to Rahman to get so many singers for a single number, remember the title song of Dillagi? It had 10 accomplished singers!!). This one has all the top singers, Sonu, Kunaal, Shreya etc.. (yes, yes, I am on first name basis now :p)

All in all, I think Nikhil and SEL have another winning soundtrack on their hands, hope the movie lives upto the expectations. Its supposedly inspired by "Love actually".

Hmm.. waiting....

The weekend that was....

T'was a movie filled weekend for most parts.. Hubby an I decided not to travel this weekend (means he doesn't come here an I don't go there and not la di da lets not take a vacation :p)

So, I had to find alternative means to keep myself engaged.. Considering I swore to myself, subsequent to moving to SD, that I am not cooking unless I have more than 1 person to cook for, kitchen held no prospects for me.. Well, the dishwasher and laundry did, but given all the advanced technology involved, the prospects of engaging my time limits itself to approximately 2.7 mins (coz thats all it takes to load any of these jazzy things!)

So I decided to dedicate my precious time to the lappy and the TV :))

Friday night saw 'Vivah' - the new sob/senti flick from the infamous makers of HAHK an such.. You know I almost felt sorry for the director.. As he grows older, I feel he regresses, I don't know why.. At least his last movie was not so bad (Main prem ki diwani hoon), Ok, when I say it was not so bad, I do not mean in general, it was a really sucky movie, but compared to this one, even that seems bearable.. God, that reminds me of the lengths we went to to see that one.. Winky, remember getting drenched in the rains and the innovative multiplex ! Really, some dedication to movies we had :)) (I miss my movie buddy tho' :()

Anyways.. its interesting to see that the director who in his younger days (hay days) made movies that were so much more modern (I thought even MPK was quite modern for the times we lived in, at least frm my school girl eyes it seemed that way) is regressing much beyond his years.. The characters are extremely jaded, Theres a stereotype associated with every character he has, whether its the girls father or the boys father, brother, sister, whatever.. exteremely stereotyped. I am not sure why he's not capable of making movies a little bit realistic.. The Bhabhi character in the new movie was the most believable one, despite that fact that she almost seemed like a super human effort in order to make her look completey indian although being modern. Apart from that, the movie crashes from scene 1 coz its an effort to show how an ideal indian whoever should be like.. Its an ideal world according to Mr. Sooraj Barjatya. Unfortunately, its not something we can relate to..

The characters seem surreal coz they all seem to be from epics and mythology :)) The main bone that I have to pick with the director is the complete lack of purpose that women seem to have in his movies. Why are they all so meek and so eager to settle into matrimony and thereby into maternal roles. I just don't get it.. Is it a subconcious wish of his to see all women in the world like that in real life or is he really in denial?? I fail to understand which.. There is a certain sincereity with which this guy makes movies, I just feel he needs a reality check. I wish someone would inspire him to make movies which has empowered women who have careers or at least some semblence to profesional life. Women, who do not wear pallus over their head at the drop of the hat and who look up when speaking to people. And most importantly, please move away from small town movies like rampur, ramnagar, ramgarh etc. They just don't have that appeal anymore..

Saturday was the day for 'Vaisa bhi hota hai part2'. Yes, I did not understand the title at all. Anyways, it was infinitely better watching experience than the disaster on friday. Its not the greatest movie but it has its moments.. (Like I said earlier in some post, that its become so unrealistic to expect good hindi movies end to end, you should be glad if they even have moments worth mentioning)

In fact I think its a very very worthwhile effort from the young director. Its a technically well made movie with a very good cast. I don't think anybody's acting was below average in the movie, every single person was top notch. Especially Arshad Warsi and his gangster friend. The story is quite innovative and manages to capture your attention for most parts. But .. yes.. there is a but.. like most indian movies, it looses steam post intermission. The story dwindles and you just wanna fast forward it.. There are some songs that could have been left at best as background music..

The story itself has a few parallels which all tie up together, but unless you are familiar with that kinda theme, you maybe left wondering what the hell and who the hell :))

Arshad Warsi is, I have realized has been one of the most underutilized actor in todays times. He is quite capable of a varied character range and is quite versatile.. Its worth watching this one just for him..

Finally... sunday - Dhoom 2 :))))

So many people dissuaded me from seeing this one.. But how could you assume that I would miss anything that has two of my sweethearts ?? :))

This movie from start is full of eye candy.. There is no denying that.. I went in to admire and drool over AB baby and hrithik and wonders of wonders came out being completely impressed my missy ash.. She is quite a surprise package in this one.. I think with the newly acquired tan completely agrees with her, she looks almost human and not the usual stunning picture she usually resembles.. She seems to be finally at ease with her surroundings enough to explore and just be comfy.. And that shows big time in the movie.. For most parts, she doesnt seem cold or detached.. She looks stunning in hot pants and short skirts !!

Hrithik.. ahhhhhh He's god.. demi god.. He's in control through out the movie and knows the movie belongs to him.. When he's on screen, everything else just seems to fade away. All you see is his absolutely fab and toned body and of course the groovy moves when there is a song :))) Ahhh.. thats what I call eyue candy.. Damn my inability to whistle !!!

AB looks at best average in this one.. God knows I luv him, but he looks desperately in need of a good hair cut and shave.. I think it was just the fact that this movie was filled with all his childhood buddies (Uday, Adi, hrithik) that he thought he coudl just get up in the morning an come for the shoot. Anyways.. usko to har mishtake maaf hai :))

The movie looks extremely jazzy whether its effects, technique or even costumes an locales.. Its fast paced and does not lag for most parts except when there is Bips(the twin) or Uday on screen. There are certain things which seem extremely unnecessary in this movie e.g. the Bipasha twin, now what was the purpose of that, instead you could have the cop sis tag with the 2 dudes! But i guess they wanted Ash to stand out in the second half in all the cat and mouse game.. And stand out she does with all the oomph and show.. :)

Its has the usual dose of hindi masala and whats a hindi movie without these things. I swear the day they stop making hindi movies without masala or song and dance sequences, I will just... well.. do something drastic I guess :p

I completely enjoyed the movie right from the start, I went all prepared for lotsa action and eye candy.. and I got all that I expected :))) I don't know what the guys who did not enjoy the movie were thinking, really.. What expectations did you go in with ? Did you expect a fast and furious or Ocean's 11? I mean, you should know better... Its a hindi movie after all and in keeping with the traditions, you are never (repeat after me Never) to compare it with the subsequent prequels.. Enjoy the roller coaster ride as is, enjoy the songs (tho' I personally thought the songs sucked in this one, it was just Ash and Hrithik's dance prowess that saved the day), enjoy the locales...

If you are still expecting a hindi flick sans masala and babes with skimpy clothes and utterly meaningless sequences, I suggest you refrain from watching a hindi flick completely and stick to 'Italian job', 'Fast and furious' and such..

Do not complain about hindi movies if you cannot learn to appreciate the packaging as is.

Blip..

At the end of the day, its important to realize and admit that you have a big, wholesome and loving family..

even if they are a little quirky and dysfunctional at times.....

Middle class

What is so middle about it ?

I think it should be called the confused class :p.



The middle class in india has evolved beyond words and means in todays times.. There was a time when my grandpa proudly used to say - "We are middle class people, we are like this only". Now a days he is confused. He's not too sure about what is middle class anymore.


Especially in a cosmo/metro city like bangalore the definition is ever changing. Not too long ago, we used to think people who lived in flats/govt quarters working in public sectors and some in private sectors were considered middle class. Not only have occupations changed big time, also the demographic difference between jobs.
There has been a lot of economical reforms. The so called middle class has more buying power now..



There was also a talk about lower middle class and upper middle class and thats when it gets all the more confusing..



I think there are lot of perception issues. With the advent of IT/ITES jobs, the pay scales have changed overnight. But is that what gave people that buying power?



Or is it the fact that with the emerging techy class (as I would like to call it), many avenues have opened for a plethora of sectors to rake in the moolah.



Whether its the banks who offer loans (worth lakhs) at the drop of the hat! (Sir, just the visiting card if enough sir, as long as we can see the company logo and you name..)



Whether its the EMI schemes that are available for anything ranging from a water filter system to high end home theatre system (Not to mention EMI schemes for bikes and cars which have only added to the existing traffic woes of the city.)



Whether its the absolutely insane real estate prices, where people don't even pause to wonder why a teensy weensy 2 BR flat is costing them half their take home salary or bringing them twice their take home salary (depending on the end of the spectrum you belong to i.e whether u r a renter or rentee)



At the end of the day if you consider an average techy lifestyle, nothing is cheap. There is a cost associated with that lifestyle and it takes most of the high end pay package to maintain it..

Consider this, you are a 27-28 years old male working in a well known IT company in bangalore. A guy next door if you must, with a good/mid sized group of friends, likes to go out with friends kinda guy.


His apartment (own or rental irrespective) will cost him around 10K minimum. In fact if hes paying off premiums for the housing loan, I bet it will be double of that.


He must be still paying off the premiums for his car which takes him wherever he wants to go and drinks insane amount of gas waiting at every nook and corner due to the crazy traffic situation.
He must be spending at least 5 k for the house including utilities and groceries.


He must be spending another 2-3 K per month just on entertainment whcih includes an occassional drink with buddies, a movie or 2 at the local multiplex, a few dinners and a few dates.
That itself added to 20-25K rt ?
And believe me, I am downplaying it quite a bit! My so called bachelors friends in bangalore, don't flinch at spending 2-3k on just a saturday night..



So, where is the so called bank balance which gives them the so called higher salaried, upper middle class (if you must) existence? I think the older generation was more well planned and stable than we can ever aspire to be. And I personally think thats due to the saving/planning habit that they had.

Every purchase was planned and thought out, every vacation was only after the cost was saved even if it took an entire year to save up.. Now a days we take vacations at the drop of the hat. The irony is that we may not even call it a vacation, its a weekend getaway.. Its a break from work.. We have fancy terms for it.. We buy flight tickets at the drop of the hat.. We take those weekend getaways with whatevers there in the bank and then survive for the rest of the month on credit cards :))

We have all done that...



My generation has hardly any savings so to speak of ( Pardon me for making a blanket statement). Any saving if at all is with a definite purpose- car, apartment, siblings marriage etc etc..



Beyond that, where is anything to show for the enormous salaries we take home? I wonder....



My mum is so confident that no matter how much ever i earn, I will always have a hand to mouth existence..

I don't have the heart or the humility to admit that she is right :)

Post lunch read (I had to blog this!)

Being so far away, it becomes a challenge to keep up with whats happening baq home. I use the term home loosely. What I do mean is good ol' bangalore :)
I bug people online about whats happening and whats new but there is very limited info that trickles thru (an no, thats not even coz the so called frnds are not aware of nu places, its just that for them a lot of things/places around become passe!)

So, apart from -Dude tell me whats new in b'lore man!, You have to resort to keeping tabs on various metro blogs and other interesting stuff online..

One of the finds for today was this . It may be old news to some but believe me, for people like poor ol' me anythin like this is super cool :)

I think it was just a matter of time when we would see a lot of people from the so called Indo silicon valley wud be innovative enuf to create/host websites like these :)

The site though is quite interesting. Apart from the obvious service they provide which is free online ordering, menu browsing and even reserving tables at the restaurant of your choice, they have quite a few other interesting offerings..
They have a recipe section where you can browse for recipes when you feel quite brain dead to think of something to make..
They have coupons of all kinds, interesting articles and tit bits regarding food items and even help you plan parties :)

All in all a good find..

I got...

Satin sheets !! :))
and Satin comforter set :)))

Its all silky and satiny for now.... :p

Blip..

I want to believe..


in all good things
in love and all that it can conquer
in honesty and self righteousness

Blip...

My mum taught me (quite non verbally) when I was a kid that- Adversity is the greatest teacher, it will teach you most of what you need to learn in life. Whether its about how to derive that strength when you feel the weakest or about the rationale to decide right and wrong when wrong is the most desirable and convenient.

What she forgot to mention is how adversity teaches different people different things. You may think that similar events may trigger similar behavioral pattern. Certain types of situation results in certain types of behavior.. I did...

But I was wrong.. I think I have slowly come to realize that any form of adversity teaches you to be a better person only in the realm or sphere of whats relevant to you. Anything beyond that is just not a part of your psyche..

Did not understand what I meant? Take for example, a childhood thats predominantly about tight purse strings and too many other constraints can result in many a different kinds of adults years from now.. To consider a few...
There could be some who grow up to acknowledge the fact that things can go wrong and always be prepared and play safe..
While others who will be grateful for every good day and live life like its the last of its kind...

No matter what you think, these two kinds of people/adults are quite mutually exclusive.

Which one do you think you are?