RaaVan..On my lips

After Ye maaya chesave in Telugu (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa in Tamil) I’ve been eagerly waiting for A.R.Rahman’s next musical ‘Raavan’. It is most anticipated music score for sure as the movie is directed by Mani Ratnam and he gives such a liberty to ARR to give best tracks.

The first promo “Beera…Beera” which gave the hint on UP folk style version assured ARR fans that best is guaranteed.

I started listening to it from the time audio is released and as usual I can’t get the songs out of mind.

'Beera..Beera' is the first song and is very catchy. Gulzar’s lyrics add weight to the tune. Next track which is 'Behne De' is feast and is sung by Karthik and Md.Irfan. Though it reminds me of satrangi re of Dil Se, it is a treat.

'Thok de killi' is a foot tapping number and is sung by Sukhwinder Singh. This guy gives his best to ARR I guess. He is flawless.

Next song is sung by current favorite female singer Rekha Bhardwaj - 'Ranjah Ranjha’. It is a mix of Punjabi folk and funky beats. She sounds so different in this song. I loved this song.

'Khile re Khile re' and 'Kata Kata' are just fine.

All in all it’s a wonderful album and has A.R.Rahman’s stamp all over the album. I'm also eagerly waiting for Telugu and Tamil version of the same movie and heard there are couple of extra songs in these languages. Raavan music delivers what is expected. My personal favorites being ‘Behne De’, ‘Ranjha Ranjha’ and ‘Thok De Killi”. Go for it.

Confessions of a shopaholic

“I want to buy gold with the bonus money we got for March”, Ramya said.
Koti shrugged off his shoulders, as usual.

Koti and Ramya are married to each other for a year n half now. We all work in the same organization.
We sometimes take the same cab while going home from office. Ramya and I sit at the back to gossip, discuss and do the same fav time pass of nagging about husband materials.

This discussion of what to do with the money came up on Thursday. Just when we were planning what to do Mr.Krishna calls up and gives an unwanted advice asking me to invest the money for the next year tax planning. Huh!

I appreciated his good idea and asked to invest his money on my name! Remember my money is my money and your money is our money concept!! He sighed and ended the call.

Obviously when I told Ramya about this bad idea, Koti was in support of Krishna and was suggesting Ramya to do the same. All husbands are made of same material. Awk!

As Koti was going to Gurgaon office site for one day trip the next day, Ramya and I decided to go on a shopping spree on Friday.

We finished our office work on Friday and were geared up to go to the Somajiguda area which has around 15-20 famous jewelry shops. We got down the office cab nearer to Malabar Gold shop which has some offer going on for diamond sets. We had a ‘dekho’ at all those sets.

That’s not the end of it, we went around the whole area and window shopped around 10’s of shops. Ramya was just checking every shop to decide on where to buy her stuff. She told me she will come next day with her parents, in-laws and Koti to buy.

At last we were happy that we haven’t spent anything and crossed the road to take an auto home and my eyes got struck on the ‘Metro’ footwear shop. I told Ramya we will just have a ‘dekho’.

After I saw these beautiful pair of platform sandals in maroon color I couldn’t resist. Ramya gave me the required encouragement and I decided to buy them. We were about to go and Ramya’s eyes were set on a beautiful clutch (purse). She decided to buy that. We were in the shop for not more than 10 mins and we decided on what to buy! We realized it is not a good idea to roam around as we sensed that the shop assistant was too eager to show us more stuff. Both of us swiped the cards and without even looking at any other shop we boarded the auto!

I called Krishna to pick me up and told him what I bought. He said don’t cry for the spent money it is ok!

But one has to look at Ramya and me at that time. We were so happy and excited with the outing that evening. We didn’t miss the husbands around, as they never help in decision making when it comes to shopping. Usually when I go out with Krishna and ask him to choose between two things he never gives me a proper answer. At least after picking me up and dropping home Krishna could've asked me to show what I bought. Nah! these guys can never understand that woman loves showing off!!

 My beautiful sandals in the box are looking at me. I think they are asking me when I would wear them. See I can understand their language. They are in the rack with the other 20-25 odd pairs of footwear of mine. I just hope my dad/Krishna wouldn’t count all the pairs.

Seriously retail therapy works. I can feel the peace.

Bangalore Trip

I remember going in train when I was in my III standard vividly. That was last! I avoided travelling and was scared of journeys!

Krishna knows that I haven’t travelled in my life neither by train/bus nor flight after my III stnd stint. My sister Siri many times tried to push me to travel but I always made sure trips are cancelled. Krishna tried his best couple of times booking the tickets to take me out, I ended up cancelling them too.

So this time around when Krishna had to go to Bangalore to meet my friend (and his friend now) on business trip. He literally was after me to join him to the trip. Also my friends Usha and Sree warned me with dire consequences if I cancel the trip!
Finally, I boarded the train! Alas!! Usha checked on by calling and asking if I had boarded the train or not.

Train journey was fun and I enjoyed the window view after 5.00 in the morning as hardly I could see anything at night (It was AC coach).

We ended up landing in Bangalore very late. We headed straight to my friend Giridhar's house. We are family friends and Giridhar’s mom insisted that we stay at his place in Bangalore. His 3-bedroom flat was part of a big gated community with around 9-10 blocks and is on 9th floor at Marthahalli (near ITPL). The morning view of sun from the balcony was pleasure to watch.

After exchanging greetings with Giridhar, we refreshed and went out on roads of Bangalore. I was disappointed with the weather as it was too hot opposed to what I heard about the cool weather. Friends told me there has been drastic change in the weather from past two years cos of massive cut down of trees for the Metro rail project.

I liked the roads; though few roads are narrow I felt Bangloreans have sense of traffic unlike Hyderabadis. Most worrisome factor is traveling in autos. These autowallas dupe new visitors so badly. We had tough time commuting but thankfully with the help of friends we were able to use public transport effectively.

Our friend Hemanth, who came to meet us and take us around Bangalore, has shown us few malls and busy street Brigade road. I didn’t like the ‘Mall cultured’ Bangalore. We went back home tired and hit the sack.

Next day we were to meet my friend Adi (Aditya) at his house for lunch. Little pretext about Adi here. Adi and I met at an online social networking group 5 years ago. We haven’t met face-face though. Adi and Krishna are in same line of work and they had to discuss some business deal - that’s how we ended having a trip to Bangalore.




We were wise enough this time to use the public transport rather than hiring a cab service or take an auto. Adi’s place was at Yalahanka. He invited his three more friends from Bangalore to meet us. Adi n his lovely wife Lakshmi were great hosts. The lunch was lip smacking. While Krishna, Adi and other friends were discussing the business, Lakshmi and I had gala timing nagging about respective husbands! After Adi's place it was time to meet Krishna's childhood pen friend Madhavi's house. Madhavi and her mom were super cool to talk to.

Next day was a big day. Giridhar suggested we take his car to go to Mysore. We hired a Telugu speaking driver and started at around 7.00 in the morning and headed to Mysore.
We had tasty breakfast at one of the small hotels in Maddur and had the famous Maddur Vada. We covered almost all important sightseeing places like Sreerangapattanam temples, Tipu sultan gardens to Sangam river. After reaching Mysore, I tried my level best to find a good Mysore silk shop to buy a saree for myself but somehow felt it was luxury to indulge! We bought few Sandal related items like Doop sticks etc.
We visited the beautiful Mysore Palace – the architecture was a treat to eyes. After having lunch we went straight to the famous Mysore Zoo and Chamundi hills. I had lot of fun at Zoo. By then it was already late and we started back to Bangalore and reached home at 11:00.

Next day we started back to Hyderabad. After coming back to Hyderabad, I had to say to myself “Nothing beats home!”

P.S: Krishna is planning another trip already!! 

Free Ticket

“Acting bug bit me when I was in the college. My dad asked me to get trained in acting before launching me as a hero”.

This is frequently heard dialog from our ‘new gen’ Indian heroes. Not just bollywood but this is a routine dialog from Tollywood (read as Telugu) industry. I wonder if they are ever going to realize that acting doesn’t mean becoming a ‘Hero’. Duhh!

If we see the recent ‘big’ movies of Tollywood all ‘fresh’ faces (Hero) have been from affluent film families.

Four heroes of the Tollywood - Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh and Balakrishna are like pillars to the industry. Apart from Chirnajeevi, all the other three big heroes had solid background from the film industry.

Now their sons, nephews and nieces play major part in the film industry. Mostly daughters are not allowed to be a heroines as it is still conservative. How strange!!

Sad part is that industry outsiders are literally not allowed to play a bigger role in the film making( exception to Direction, it involves creativity) or acting roles. We will see one off cases like Ravi Teja who made it big with his sheer hard work through years but his recent success is after a crusade of hardship of 10-15 years and he has only few more years to play lead characters.

Take for example Mohan Babu. I always liked the roles he played in past whether as a villain or a hero; he is a self made man. But his desperate attempt to make his sons to get foothold in the industry is laughable. I can’t comment on their acting skills or looks, but as an adherent film buff I wouldn’t want to forcibly watch only ‘dimpled’ angle of his younger sons face throughout 2 and half hours! It is his fame and money power which is taken as a chance by new upcoming directors to make movies with his sons as heroes in a film. Otherwise would he ever put money on these poor little unknown directors and produce a film with outsiders in lead characters!

I’m not against this hereditary in the film industry. Allari Naresh and Prabhas are my favorite heroes and they have a solid backing when they were launched by outside production houses. Still Naresh proved he is a good actor.

It is just that how much as an audience can we take!!I agree many of them have talent but they should realize playing alone a ‘hero’ role is not acting.
Hero≠acting

How many of these new age heroes who have godfathers can act? Oh yea it will take 10 years for them but probably there are quite a number of unlucky stalwarts who are worth it but just cos of no backup or godfathers in the industry their careers in the film industry is never made. Many other people with the film background have taken the other paths in the same industry like taking up productions and marketing businesses. Take the case of Allu Sirish, he writes wonderful and thoughtful articles on film industry in his blog and his passion for the industry is shown in his writings. Of course his magazine is not released without talking/promoting about one of his own family members which sometime irks me a little but it is his magazine and I’m just a commoner to even comment on this. Right!

Also, I wish these new heroes realize that success is not instant and after few trails learn to say “Oh I think this hero thing isn’t working, let me give a chance for the audience to take a break from me”

I know am asking for too much!

Farmville uninstalled!

Finally I uninstalled the Farmville from my Facebook a/c. I’m damn happy about it. My ‘time spent’ on Social Networking sites have come down drastically. What does this mean? What do you think of me?

Ye Maya Chesave...Songs

Ofcourse, I’m gonna talk about the new addiction – songs of Ye maaya chesave.

After a long time, I like the whole album of a movie. When the music of the film was released in Jan, only one song caught my attention i.e., ‘Hosonna’. Just like any other ARR musicals, you will start loving the songs after watching the movie. Music will grow on to you later.

When the album got released I read this review, where the reviewer felt ARR disappoints!

I now feel we shouldn’t depend on most of the online reviews, especially if they cannot write anything good about some proven stars like ‘ARR’ and ‘Sachin Tendulkar’ its better to ignore them.


I went to the movie on its third day of release. I had no expectations from the movie.
I enjoyed first half of it and felt the second half is dragged a little. It’s a story about how a men and women behave when the decision to marry against the wishes of parents. Girls are usually confused and don’t dare to say yes for a love marriage as theythink about their parents first and about the boy later. And a boy is determined to get a commitment from the girl.

But at the same time we cannot compare this movie with classics like Geetanjali or Devdas. Its completely different and is mostly related to this generation of Love stories. I felt it is a honest and realistic approach of movie making which is why the movie works. Gautham Menon proves his mettle and this movie establishes him to be listed in the elite Indian class directors. Oh I’m not the only one who is saying this – but K.Balachandar is saying so - check link here


I felt Naga Chaitanya fits the role and looks honest (acting wise) in his second movie. He is likable. Samantha deserves applause for giving best shot in her first movie. She is lovable.

Songs just stay back in your mind as it is happening to me. ‘Hosanna’ is good but ‘Manasa’ and ‘Vintunnava’ are my personal favorites. Shreya Goshal's Voice is very soothing in vintunnava song

I think you should give this movie one shot and watch it in a theater than wait till the TC torrent or DVD, ofcourse for the songs!

Flashback...

Oct’2004 :

I met Krishna for the first time after initial one and half years of chat conversations.It was a dud meeting and we were quite happy that it didn’t create any ‘story’ between us. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t meet this guy again after the first meeting.He is probably the second stranger guy in my yahoo chat list (First being Chakri – who is like a mentor to me) and that’s the end of the list!

All that we talked on chat was about our studies and careers in that complete one year before the face-face meeting. Both of us have similar family backgrounds and grounded roots.

Our second meeting definitely was the start of a new relationship between us.You will know why.

I was getting ready to go to Sultan bazaar to collect my dress from the tailor. I got a call from Krishna.

“My friend said she would meet me today and is not meeting me for lunch. I don’t want to go back to office. Can I meet you at koti itself for 5-10mins?” (Oh yea! He had so many girl ‘friends’ and he said I was just another friend)
I didn’t want to meet him.
“Is there anything important that we have to meet and talk? Why can’t we talk over the phone?”
“I’m not gonna kidnap you. Just casually wanna meet you and say hi. Also its exactly one week that we first met and we can celebrate the meeting”

Lame excuse. But I thought it shouldn’t be a problem as it is 5 minutes meeting.
I collected my clothes from the tailor, asked Krishna to meet me at Gokul chat. I called my mom and said I am meeting this guy (I was this obedient child you see). By the time I reached there he was already waiting for me. Somehow I felt he was not the same guy whom I met just last week. He was eagerly waiting for me. We had chat at Gokul and I was about to take leave.

He offered to drop me on his kinetic honda till bus stop which of course I rejected. He literally forced me to sit on his bike and I didn’t want to create scene in public so hesitantly I was his pillion rider. He took me to ‘Ohris’ ice cream parlour without listening to me. He ordered ‘sundae’. He was just glaring at me and I pretty much know by now that something is wrong with this guy. I was so very uncomfortable that day. I just wanted to run away. I hurriedly finished the ice cream and left.

Things have changed a lot after that meeting. I avoided him and his calls after that for some time. It was not just friendship anymore. The ‘love’ season serial continued for 3 years and we are finally married!

Present


So why the hell did I go into flashback??

Today Krishna took me to Ohris again for ice cream. We sat at the same place. We ordered two slices of ice cream. I asked him to replicate our past. He asked me to close my eyes. I gladly closed my eyes for 3-4 secs and when I open my eyes I see that he was happily eating ice cream and is not even bothered to look at me!! Wah so romantic!

Huh. Husbands!!!