A li'l Flashback

I found an old diary today. 1996. Where my handwriting is round and wobbly. On going to today’s page, I discovered that I’d learnt to ride a cycle on this very day! What I’ve written there is quite hilarious. But that is one day that is still etched in my memory.

I had thrown all kinds of tantrums and finally, on a Saturday evening, my parents had bought me a red bicycle. The next morning, dad had woken me up early to teach me how to ride. He was holding the handle as well as the seat and kept yelling at me to look forward. Me, being the not-so-compliant kid, kept on looking left, right and back…but never in the right direction!

After almost two hours, I learnt to balance and could manage to look ahead without being distracted. Dad had slowly let go off the handle but was still holding on to the seat and running behind with me. I told him to let go, very confidently. He did the same. I rode for a small distance without him and looked back to show him how well I was doing and bang! Straight into the wall!

My knee was hurt, and my confidence, shattered.  The only thing I wanted dad to do was to pick me up and go home. Instead, he put me back on the bicycle and made me ride it. I wanted to cry out loud. Just couldn’t. He held on to me till he was sure that I’ve got it right. And before I knew it, I was all on my own. I looked back for a second to see him smiling at me and I rode on J

I learnt a very important lesson that day which I have even written in my diary at the end (in capital, bold letters!) – NEVER GIVE UP!

Movie Recommendation - Aandhi

Cast: Sanjeev Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Om Prakash, A. K. Hangal. 

Release Year: 1975.

Director: Gulzar.

Another classic from the 70’s – Aandhi. I am always fascinated with the titles of Gulzar’s films. Be it Angoor, Ijaazat, Namkeen, or Aandhi, which literally means ‘a storm’. The film itself was in the eye of an Aandhi upon its release as it was supposedly based on Indira Gandhi’s life, who was the Prime Minister back then. As a result, it was not allowed full release and was even banned during the 1975 emergency.

Aandhi tells the story of J.K (Sanjeev Kumar) and Aarti Devi (Suchitra Sen), an estranged husband and wife, who meet after 9 years. Aarti is a well known politician while J.K is the Hotel’s Manager where she is staying. The story then unwinds in flashbacks, recounting how Aarti and J.K met, fell in love, got married. Aarti is a very strong and ambitious person, while J.K is somebody who prefers simplicity. Their ego clashes over Aarti joining politics and devoting more and more time to it, eventually leads to their separation. However, the affection is still very much evident when they meet 9 years later. Will the two reunite, or will they go separate paths again? The film handles the question in a very mature and sensitive way. And when actors like Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen (with a heavy Bengali intonation!) put in their best performances, the final product is sheer brilliance.

It would be unjust to talk about the soundtrack of this film in a single paragraph. I could do an extensive post on each song! As a kid, I was in love with the songs for their sheer melody. As I grew up, and understood the lyrics, all I could do was to hear it again and again and again (!) and go wah wah every single time! The songs are haunting - Tum aa gaye ho, Iss mod se jaate hai, Tere Bina Zindagi se Shikwa, all of them.

All in all, a must watch!

Scenes to watch out for:

#1: When Aarti and J.K meet after 9 years…the scene brings a smile to your face without you even realizing it J

#2: A scene in the song Tere Bina Zindagi Se Shikwa – the lines are to die for!   

             

“Yeh jo chaand hai na..ise raat mein dekho..yeh din mein nahi nikalta.”

“Yeh to roj nikalta hai..”

“Haan…lekin beech mein amaavas aa jaati hai…waise toh amaavas pandrah din ki hoti hai…lekin iss baar, bohot lambii thi”

“Nau baras lambii thi na?”

Why not to miss this movie:

For its bold take on politics, and its mature take on relationships.

Chai, anybody?

I made decent tea today. What’s the big deal with it? Well it is. For all those who don’t know, I can cook and believe me; I am damn good at it! But tea is something I could never ever get right. Now now, its quite a silly thing to make. Boil water and throw in a few things and TaDa! Chai Tayyar! But then, here comes the funda of proportion which I screw up every single time.

Honestly, I’d never even bothered about it. At my place, everybody except me makes tea in the morning, or evening, or whatever. A few days ago, I made the mistake of preparing it for my sister. The criticism broke my heart (!) and I decided to fight back. Since then, I’ve been making tea almost everyday, experimenting with proportions, spices…and the day has finally arrived when I’ve been successful. Phew!

I shall drink to that. (No. Not tea silly!).

Song of The Week

Insaan kisise duniya mein

Ek baar mohabbat karta hai

Iss dard ko lekar jeeta hai

Iss dard ko lekar marta hai

Yes, Song for the week is Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya from K.Asif’s magnum opus, Mughal-E-Azam. At a time when films were made for less than 10 lakhs, the budget for the film was over a crore, and more than 10 lakhs alone were spent on this song. The song was written over and over again (an approximate 105 times!) by the lyricist, Shakeel Badayuni before the composer, Naushad approved of it! And since there was no way to provide the sound resonating effect, Lata Mangeshkar had to record the song in a studio bathroom!

The song was shot in the Sheesh Mahal of the Lahore Fort. The small mirrors in the area would sparkle due to the lights and it became impossible to shoot. So the mirrors were covered with a coat of wax, thin enough to prevent the glare and also, not affect the reflection.

Enjoy Listening!

* Chhup na sakega ishq hamara

Chaaro taraf hai unka nazara

Parda nahi jab koi Khuda se

Bandon se parda karna kya...*

Song: Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya

Film: Mughal-E-Azam

Music: Naushad

Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

Vocals: Lata Mangeshkar

Growing Up

As MJ turns 5 months today, there are thousands of things in my mind, all revolving around one fact – that he has grown up. And that too, quite fast.

There are so many things lying around the house, waiting to be thrown away – deworming syrups, powders, a chotu bed. He won’t need any of it now. In a few days, even his collar won’t fit him anymore. I remember the day I’d got it…I’d bought the tiniest size available but even that was big for him! He looked so funny that I was on the floor laughing and my poor baby was probably wondering what was wrong with me! I’ve carried him around in baskets…cant do that anymore!

But the good part is that I haven’t missed out on him growing up. I’ve been there…from sickness to training, and everything in between. From marking his height on the wall every week, to memorizing vaccination schedules, I’ve done it all! It’s a strange feeling. All this while you keep wondering when he’ll grow up…and when he finally does, you want to rewind and go back into time!

* There have been nights

When I’ve looked out of my window

And wondered

Why the sky doesn’t have stars anymore

I don’t do that now

Coz I know

My baby’s eyes shine better

Than all of them put together! * 

Movie Recommendation - Amar Akbar Anthony

Cast: Vinod Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Parveen Babi, Neetu Kapoor, Nirupa Roy, Pran, Jeevan.

Release Year: 1977.

Director: Manmohan Desai.

Hindi cinema of the 70’s was swarming with stories of lost-and-found siblings. A very clichéd and straightforward track. Two or three brothers get separated in a Kumbh Mela or some similar setting, are then reunited years later to fight against the baddie. Probably the biggest and definitely the most entertaining of this lot was Manmohan Desai’s super duper hit, Amar Akbar Anthony.

Kishanlal (Pran) is a driver working for a gold smuggler, Robert (Jeevan). When the latter commits an accident, he talks Kishanlal into taking the blame, on the assurance that his family will be well looked after. (Now anyone might wonder why such a big mafia is scared of the police pressing hit-and-run charges against him, but well, that’s 70’s Cinema for you!). When Kishanlal returns from jail (read: the iconic ‘Central Jail’), he finds his family in a state of misery. Angry and deceived, he goes to Robert, only to be humiliated. In a fit of rage, he picks up a gun and tries to kill Robert. (But well, the baddie is wearing a stainless steel type bullet-proof jacket. So the bullet can’t even scratch him!). Robert’s goons chase Kishanlal as he runs away with a car containing a box of gold.

Upon returning home, he finds his wife Bharti’s (Nirupa Roy) suicide note. Kishanlal puts his three children in the car and runs away. (Yes, the goons are still chasing him). Later, he tells them to get down at Borivali Park to hide, while he drives away the thugs. On returning with the box of gold, he finds the children missing. The eldest son, Amar (Vinod Khanna) is adopted by a Hindu police officer, the middle son, Anthony (Amitabh Bachchan) is taken in by a Catholic priest, and the youngest, Akbar (Rishi Kapoor) is raised by a Muslim tailor. Talk of National Integration! Meanwhile, his wife, who’d planned on committing suicide, miraculously looses her eyesight. She also regains it 20 years later in the film (again, miraculously!).

Amar grows up to be a police officer who falls in love with Lakshmi (Shabana Azmi, in a blink-and-miss role). Anthony, a local goonda and owner of a Country Liquor bar falls for Robert’s daughter Jenny (Parveen Babi) and Akbar, a qawwal, has Dr. Salma (Neetu Kapoor) for whom he can sing qawwalis! How the brothers reunite and fight against Robert forms the rest of the film.

The film is interspersed with a lot of twist and turns, fun moments, and not to forget, songs! The soundtrack was composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal and Anand Bakshi wrote the lyrics. It consists of hits like My Name is Anthony Gonsalves, Parda Hai Parda, Tayyab Ali Pyaar Ka Dushman and Humko Tumse. Humko Tumse is one of my favourites, and as per my knowledge, the only song to have Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, and Lata Mangeshkar sing together.

Scenes to watch out for:

#1: Amitabh Bachchan drunken scene, when he is talking to himself in the mirror. Hilarious!  

#2: When Rishi Kapoor comes dressed as an old man, and is ordering for his sewing machine to be brought. He is irritating, yet so cute!

Why not to miss this movie:

Despite the film being a li’l more than 3 hours, its a complete masala entertainer!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

There is a book that I can read a million times, and not get tired of it. Khaled Hosseini’s ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’.

Set from 1960 to 2003, A Thousand Splendid Suns tells the story of Mariam and Laila. Mariam is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy man, Jalil, and has always craved for his love. Jalil has kept Mariam and her mother Nana, in a small hut, away from Herat, and visits her every Thursday. On her fifteenth birthday, Mariam decides to go to Heart to meet him. Disappointment and humiliation is all that she gets. Upon returning home, she learns that Nana has committed suicide. With nowhere to go, she is sent to Jalil’s house and married to Rasheed, a man 30 years older than her.

The plot then moves to Kabul, where war has led to most families leaving the country. Laila and her family are moving out too, when a rocket hits their house, killing her parents and leaving Laila wounded. Rasheed and Mariam take her in. Rasheed, who has by now become abusive towards Mariam due to her successive miscarriages, proposes to Laila. Laila, who is pregnant with Tariq’s child, agrees to the union on learning that he has been killed in a shootout on the border. Troubles arise for Laila when she gives birth to a girl, much to the frustration of Rasheed. He begins to abuse her, and sometimes, the child, Aziza as well.

Mariam and Laila bond over Aziza, and their late-evening tea parties. They plan to run away from Kabul, but are unsuccessful. The consequences are disastrous when Rasheed finds out about it. Years later, Tariq returns to Kabul, searching for Laila and they are reunited. When Rasheed discovers about the incident, he thrashes Laila and almost kills her, when Mariam hits him in the head with a shovel, killing him instantly. She convinces Laila to leave Kabul with Tariq. She then confesses to her crime and is executed in public.

The story is disturbing and heartbreaking. What breaks my heart even more is when Laila and Tariq visit Herat, and discover Jaili’s letter, telling Mariam how much he loved her. You end up feeling sorry for Mariam who never really got anything. How I wish the end was different. *Sigh*. But, a wonderful read nonetheless.

The title of the book is taken from the translation of an Iranian poem, Kabul –

Every street of Kabul is enthralling to the eye,

Through the bazaars, caravans of Egypt pass,

One could not count the moons that shimmer on her roofs,

And the Thousand Splendid Suns that hide behind her walls.

They just don't make men like Him anymore.

This week’s song reminds me of somebody. Back in school, I had a crush on this man who was almost 25 years elder to me. A mech engineer by profession, a wildlife photographer by whim, and a music lover at heart! Debonair, charming, and incredibly handsome. Someone who would create stunning car designs, convert them into miniatures, and gift them to me. Someone who had a camera lens so big, I could almost see craters on the moon through it. Someone who taught me that its OK to lose a game. And most importantly, someone who introduced me to Pancham’s music (Katra Katra was his favourite track. Still is!).

Only yesterday did I realize that I still quite adore him! ;)

Song of The Week

The magical duo, R.D.Burman and Gulzar have created some of the most melodious songs ever. Katra Katra, from Ijaazat, is one of them. Apart from being a fantastic film, this movie has a soundtrack to die for! So you have a ghazal like Khali Haath Shaam, a playful melody like Chotisi Kahaani Se, or a poetry-meets-prose Mera Kuch Saaman, or the heartwarming Katra Katra!

The film is considered to be Gulzar’s best work as a lyricist, and won him a Filmfare and a National Award. Pancham’s music is equally brilliant; music that has more emphasis on the words, rather than the tune. And Asha Bhosle’s soul stirring rendition only makes you want to play this song on loop! No wonder she got a National Award too!

One thing that I’ve always loved about this song is the twin track effect used by Pancham. He was the first composer to use this effect in a song. A little trivia on this that I learnt today – The song was redubbed and overlapped to create the echo effect (Courtesy Chinmay Morgaonkar!). Yes, Pancham was an absolute genius. *Bows*.

* Halke halke kohre ke dhueen mein

Shayad aasmaan tak aa gayi hoon

Teri sooni baahon ke sahaare

Dekho toh kahaan tak aa gayii honn *

Song: Katra Katra

Film: Ijaazat

Music: R.D.Burman

Lyrics: Gulzar

Vocals: Asha Bhosle

Movie Recommendation - Chupke Chupke

Cast: Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Asrani, Om Prakash.

Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

Release Year: 1975. 

If I were to list my Top 5 Hrishikesh Mukherjee movies, Chupke Chupke would be ranked at #1. The 1975 subtle comedy comprises of an impressive cast and manages to keep you entertained till the last shot.

Parimal Tripathi (Dharmendra), a Botany professor falls in love with Sulekha Chaturvedi (Sharmila Tagore) and they get married. Sulekha considers her jijaji, Raghvendra (Om Prakash) to be very clever and keeps on talking about how nobody can ever play a trick on him. Unable to take it anymore, Parimal decides to take him for a spin. So he goes to Raghvendra’s house as a driver, Pyaaremohan Allahbadi (who speaks chaste Hindi and prefers to call himself ‘vahanchalak’). There, he pretends to have an affair with Sulekha, and runs away with her. He also calls upon one of his friend to act as Parimal. Enter Sukumar Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan), an English Professor as a boring, but enraged Parimal Tripathi who is unable to bear the insult caused because of his wife running away. He decides to stay at Parimal’s friends’ P.K.Shrivastav (Asrani) house. Shrivastava’s sister-in-law Vasudha (Jaya Bachchan) is insistent on learning Botany from Sukumar, whom she assumes to be Parimal. Watch the confusion that follows when Sukumar falls in love with Vasudha, and elopes with her.

The soundtrack is melodious, with songs like Chupke Chupke Chal Re Purvaiya, Ab Ke Sajan Saawan Mein, Sa Re Ga Ma. The film’s music was composed by S.D. Burman, and lyrics by Anand Bakshi.  

Scenes to watch out for:

#1: When Vasudha asks Sukumar about Corolla, and he is telling her about Karela!

#2: Dharmendra’s entry scene as the vaahanchalak. The shudh Hindi is a delight to hear!

Why not to miss this movie:

Amitabh Bachchan at his funniest. A refreshing change from the ‘angry young man’ image that he had during the 70’s.

What's The Big Deal?

On my walk with MJ this morning, I overheard two women chatting about Bade Acche Lagte Hai and I decided to sit on the next bench and eavesdrop! Basically, the conversation was all ‘Hawwww! How can they show something like this on TV’ and all that. I came back home and browsed a few forums to find the same discussion, stating the episode to be ‘too bold’. Or ‘super hot’, which I’ll agree with. With all those candles in the room, it must’ve been like a furnace :P.

Seriously? Coz I found it to be quite similar to the other suhagraat scenes that they show on TV these days. Except that this one was done in better taste. The others even play the same old clichéd songs. Atleast the song used here was different…and better!

So what’s the fuss all about? Why should two people consummating their marriage become a topic of national interest? Even social networking sites have gone wild! Is it the lip-lock? Wait. Can you even call it that? The kiss was pretty lame (but too sensational for TV I suppose!). There’ve been smooches on television before. I remember some show on Sony itself that had one. Besides, it’s a 10:30 PM slot. If you are worried about kids watching it, let me assure you they’ve seen far more films for that!

One thing I’m sure of - the BCCC guys must’ve had a busy day taking all those complaints!

Oh! BTW

I saw Kahaani. Gripping, appalling, riveting, engrossing, enthralling, mind-blowing!

Aami Shotti Bolchi!

Song of The Week

A very poignant song from Guru Dutt’s Kaagaz Ke Phool – Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam. The film, which is considered a classic today, had failed miserably upon its release in 1959. But all the songs in it were very well received.

The song happened entirely between the lyricist, Kaifi Azmi and the music director, S.D.Burman. Burman dada first created a tune to which Kaifi Saheb wrote the lyrics. When Guru Dutt heard the song, he loved it so much that he wrote a sequence in the film just to incorporate this song. However, if one looks at the film, the sequence was so brilliantly woven into the script that it does not seem out of place at all. Waheeda Rehman looks resplendent, and Geeta Dutt’s soulful rendition only adds to the beauty of this song.

* Jayenge kahaan sujhtaa nahin

Chal pade magar raasta nahin

Kya talaash thi kuchh pata nahin

Bun rahe hain dil khwaab dam-ba-dam…*

Song: Waqt Ne Kiya…

Film: Kaagaz Ke Phool

Music: S.D.Burman

Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi

Vocals: Geeta Dutt

Kahaani

I couldn’t stay away from here! So what if my house is in a mess, so what if the furniture is covered with dust, so what if things are at their chaotic best, I had to lift the purdah off my PC and I am glad I did so.

I am hearing so much praise for Kahaani, for the supremely talented Vidya Balan. Have loved all her performances from Parineeta to The Dirty Picture (yes, even Heyy Babyy and Eklavya!). For somebody who was written off merely for her dressing sense; its wonderful to see how she has bounced back with such strong roles. Even winning a National Award (ironically, Niharika Khan also won the National Award for Vidya’s costumes in The Dirty Picture!). It feels good to know that she is finally getting her due. More power to her.

However, one thing that disturbs me is she being called ‘The new Hero in Bollywood’. Why the need to address her with that term? I find it sexist. Or maybe its just me. 

I live in a building where all of us celebrate every festival with a lot of enthusiasm. That is where my love for festivals comes from. I feel these are occasions when people come together, share laughter, and not to forget, foooood! Not that I am very social. I am not someone who would go out and meet new people. But these are people I’ve known since I was a kid...the people I’ve grown up with and its always special when all of us get together.

We played with colours today and it was fun! I looked like some multi-coloured parrot. I don’t understand the hype about natural colours. I’ve played with artificial ones all my life and nothing has ever happened to me. Okay, yes, gulaal is irritating. But I don’t have a problem with the rest.

 However, one thing that irritates me a lot is water wastage. Dhulivandan can be played with colours, mud, ash, or whatever. There is no need to waste gallons of water for it. Not only on this day, but even otherwise. If only people could realize its importance. *Sigh*.

P.S.: House under renovation from tomorrow. So I may not be regular here. The house will be in a mess, my computer will be in a veil. And there’ll be lots of saaf-safai to do. Wish me luck! 

On Turning 22.

I feel like a schoolgirl when I write this post. I was never the type who would be very excited about birthdays. They were always routine stuff. I remember sulking on my last birthday. 21 felt odd, weird. It was my birthday today and surprisingly, I don’t feel a year older. I was all happy and chirpy all day. Maybe it was because of the tonnes of wishes I got today. And besides, being 22 is a good feeling. Maybe I’ve matured enough to accept ageing. That’s good!

I tried staying up late and feel all excited when my phone rings. That somehow, didn’t happen. I dozed off while texting…and also answered two calls in sleep mode. I can’t remember a word of what I said! Then spent an hour in the morning replying back to all those who’d wished me!

The day has been fantastic though! A few dear ones dropped in with a cake early morning, then another cake cutting ceremony in college, and two more at home! All that attention, shutterbugs…felt like some celebrity :P

I am badly in need of sleep right now, but hadddd to write this post! I’ve put on some real weight today…and my fridge is still overflowing with cakes, sweets, ice-cream and chocolate! Not to forget the puranpoli that will be made tomorrow. *Sigh*

Song of The Week

Today’s song is ‘Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna’ from Guide. The soundtrack of this classic movie has may more evergreen songs, like ‘Tere Mere Sapne’, ‘Din Dhal Jaaye’, ‘Piya Tose Naina Laage Re’ to name a few. But Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna is an all-time favourite. The song has this ‘I’am a free bird’ kind of a feeling to it. There is so much life, so much hope to this song. And its so beautifully sung by Lata Mangeshkar. It makes you sing. It makes you dance!

There is an interesting story about this song. If you’ve noticed, the song doesn’t really have a mukhda. It directly begins with an antara or a stanza. The song comprises of such stanzas only, written by Shailendra. The director, Vijay Anand was initially reluctant to use a song that doesn’t have a mukhda. It was only after S.D.Burman talked him into it, that he agreed to include it in the film. The song picturised on Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman became a huge hit, and so did the movie.

* Apne hi bass mein nahin main
Dil hai kahin toh hoon kahin main
Darr hai safar mein kahin kho na jaaun main
Rasta nayaa*


Song : Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna
Film: Guide
Music: S.D. Burman
Lyrics: Shailendra
Vocals: Lata Mangeshkar

Happiewala Budday :)

I’ve known this girl for over 10 years now. Neha Deshmukh is the girl-iest creature I know! We were in the same school, junior college, even Grad College! Her favourite colour is pink and back in school, all her stationery, lunchbox, water bottle used to be in that colour. Oh wait! She even has a pink scooty. (I remember going ‘ewwww!’ the first time I’d seen it!).

Neha is my only source for gossip. The girl can provide more news than all the gossip magazines in the world put together. She has a fantastic ability. She can make two into four and narrate it convincingly. And how I love her for that! I indulge in gossip only when Neha is my newsreader. We can go on and on and onnnn about any damn thing/any damn person!
To the world, she may project herself to be this mature, calm, level-headed person. (Just because she’s two days older to me, somehow makes her feel she’s wiser). But in reality, she’s childish, restless and an absolute nutcase! That is something we have in common. Another thing that we have in common is love for food! So whether its Idli Sambar, Cheese Sandwiches, subs, cold coffees, or other junk food, I just have to make a call and she’s ever ready! (Neha, if you’re reading this, I bet you imagined that cheese grilled sandwich in your head!).

We are the world’s biggest nautankis when we are together. We say the most horrendous hindi film dialogues in the most irritating voices and laugh endlessly over it. Yeah, a lot of times, it annoys people around us, but who cares! One more thing we love doing is saying the ‘S’ with a lisp and again, laugh crazy over it :P (awwww! Sssso sssweet!).

A couple of days back, we discussed our woes on turning old, but it feels so good now that I’ve realized I’ve grown up with you :) Happy Birthday darrrrling! (Emphasis on the ‘R’). And Thank You. For being there. For being an ardent supporter and a fierce critic. From fighting over pencils to discussing our ‘settling down’ (!) plans, we’ve come a long way chick!

Enjoy this new turn, this new phase in your life. Love You sssweetheart! (‘S’ with the lisp :P)

Movie Recommendation - Arth

Cast: Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rohini Hattangadi, Raj Kiran.

Director: Mahesh Bhatt.

Release Year: 1982.

Say ‘Shabana Azmi’ and one name that instantly pops up is ‘Arth’. The 1982 film directed by Mahesh Bhatt got a lot of critical acclaim as well as box office success. Although the story is quite familiar, what makes Arth stand out is the treatment, and of course, the end.

The story is simple. Inder (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), an upcoming director is married to Pooja (Shabana Azmi). Inder has an affair with Kavita (Smita Patil). All hell breaks loose when Pooja finds out about it. So Inder deserts Pooja and she goes on to make a place for herself under the sun. Later, Kavita leaves Inder and he comes back to Pooja. Now any movie from the 80’s would’ve shown the pati-vrata naari accepting her husband back in her life. This is where Arth breaks away from the typical. (Spoiler ahead). Pooja, asks Inder if he would’ve taken her back if she had done something similar. Inder bluntly says yes and so, Pooja walks out on him. (WOW!) Mahesh Bhatt and Shabana Azmi had to dig their heels in to convince the distributors to retain this ending. And thank God they did!

What I love about Arth is the fact that the characters are not outright white or black. Pooja is not the usual rona dhona type wife, nor is Kavita the quintessential, evil ‘other woman’. You have a Shabana Azmi who is disowned, heartbroken, but gets drunk and creates a scene at a party. On the other hand, you have a schizophrenic, guilt-ridden Smita Patil whose conscience does not allow her peace for a moment. Both the characters are played brilliantly by the two (immensely talented) ladies.

The music of Arth is soulful, with lyrics by Kaifi Azmi and music by Jagjit Singh. The soundtrack includes ghazals like ‘Zhuki Zhuki si Nazar’, ‘Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye’ and my favourite, ‘Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho’. The background music however, is a letdown.

Scenes to watch out for:
#1 : When Inder asks Pooja to sign the divorce papers, she does so calmly. Later while walking towards the door, turns around and says, ‘Bechari Kavita, tumahre saath shaadi ka woh pavitra bandhan chahti hai jo ek dastakhat se bhi toot sakta hai!’ (*whistle whistle*)

#2 : The confrontation between Pooja and Kavita. (Smita Patil is mind-blowing!)

Why not to miss this movie:
Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil at their finest. The film won Azmi her second National Award (out of five!).

Clean up that mess, NOW!

There are a few things that get on my nerves.

Untidiness is one of them. Seriously, I mean how difficult can it be to pick up shoes and keep them in the rack, or keep clothes in the cupboard, or cleaning up dust in the house? I strongly believe that when every object has a place assigned, it should be kept there. Its like I almost have an OCD for cleaning…I get very restless if I see things strewn around all over the place. And unfortunately, nobody else in my house shares the same feeling!

Yes I am very irritating that way. I tell my mother to take the plate/glass/spoon back if I think its not clean enough, I give disgusted looks to my sister if she doesn’t keep her share of the cupboard space tidy. They are so sick of me by now! But my dad is a darling! He’s the most well organized person on the face of the earth and that’s probably where I get my OCD from!

Another thing. What is it with people’s watches? What’s the bloody use of strapping it on your wrist if you can’t reach anywhere on time? And why am I made out to be the villain if I walk out on somebody who doesn’t turn up on time? There was a point where I had learnt to accept the IST (read: Indian Stretchable Time) funda. Can’t do that anymore. Anybody who comes late atleast deserves a dirty look from me!

Why this post today? Coz I’ve been targeted thrice since morning!