At 39, Ganguly Kicks the Clock!

'Turn Back the Clock'- read the giant screen at the Feroz Shah Kotla when Sourav Ganguly hit his trademark six over long off in the PWI Vs DD match a day ago. Perhaps the man controlling the giant screen operations vented out the emotions of millions of cricket lovers across India, who wish to see Sourav shine and stamp his authority. Save Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly is the only Indian cricketer (retired or playing) who receives a rousing welcome from the crowd anywhere he goes to play in India. Whether it is his animated captaincy on the ground, a desperate fielding effort or a lethargic pull over the in-field, the crowd goes gaga over Dada, forgetting its team loyalties. Some fools, disguising themselves in the garb of 'experts', often confuse Ganguly to be a 'regional' icon, someone who owes most of his popularity to Bengal and Eastern India. This prejudice was on display in a KXIP Vs PWI match, where the broadcasting channel ran a small little poll, asking viewers to vote for whom they consider to be a better captain- Ganguly or Gilly? When 67% of the voters voted in favor of Ganguly, one such fool cum expert shamelessly said that votes must be hailing from a 'certain region of India'. But now, after his Man of the Match winning effort in Delhi, the same experts use phrases like- 'Its so good to see him perform like this!', 'Respect is the word that comes to my mind when I see Dada perform like this.' and 'Once a Champion always a champion!' These bunch of idiots must quickly realize that Sourav Ganguly is a national icon, who has touched the nerves of millions of Indians over the years. He is the epitome of aggression, tenacity and relentlessness. Someone who has proven his detractors wrong again and again, and scripted fairytales of various hues for the folklore of cricket.

So what has changed overnight? Has Ganguly suddenly become a player of old times, when the ball would merely kiss his willow and race towards the boundary like a falling comet, when his gentle medium pacers would irritate and frustrate worthy batsmen from across the world? No, not exactly. These experts are nothing but aged maniacs who thrive on a potent mix of opportunism and astrology. At the start of a game or a tournament, they indulge in confident blabbering about which team has got the best chances and which team has absolutely no hope. When these predictions fall flat on the ground, they quickly shift their focus to the opportune moment and praise the unlikely hero or the underdogs.

But Indian cricket lovers, fans of Sourav Ganguly and even his staunchest of critics realize that the performance at Kotla was not just out of the blue. Yes, Sourav is now well past his prime, the silken cover drives have dried up, him dancing down the pitch against a left arm spinner is no more a guarantee for DLF maximum, but still the man refuses to get bogged down. Age catches up with every living object and Sourav is no different. And let's also remember that he is not as 'supremely gifted' as say a Sachin Tendulkar. His abilities and batting skills may have corroded, but the fire and desire to succeed at the highest level remains firmly intact. It is this tenacity and resoluteness of Ganguly's character that Indian cricket lovers are well aware of. Hence, Kotla heroics came as no surprise for those who have know and followed Sourav over the years. Yes, it was a sort of 'relief' for his die-hard fans, me included, but all of them knew that it was coming, sooner or later.

Ganguly is a special player because he has always risen from the ashes, he has stared in the face of adversity every time the going gets tough. He never says never, wins half of the battle through his mind. You would have seen this happening every time he walked out to bat in IPL-5. It is evident that he is struggling to get runs, but no one can take away the credit from him for trying relentlessly. He is ready to pull, even though it was never his strength, he is sweeping like never before and is also not afraid of playing the Dil-scoop! Against Daredevils, he took the ball in his hands when all his bowlers failed to stop rampaging duo of Sehwag and KP. That's Ganguly's hallmark, he is never shy when it comes to facing the heat or leading from the front. Once he was into that magical spell of 2-27 from 4 overs, his on-field captaincy improved by leaps and bounds. Ganguly, the tiger was back, weaving a web of discomfort and doubt around the Delhi batsmen. Not to mention that camera-frenzy moment when he sprinted across the dimensions of Kotla to celebrated the fall of Kevin Pietersen. That jubilation, fist clenched and raised up in the air and hair going all over the place, will go down in the history of IPL as one of the most defining moments.

Ganguly is a classic example of triumph of strong willpower over diminishing abilities. At this age, he could have easily chosen commentary over cricket or administrative power over passion, but he continues to astonish the cricketing world with his undying passion. His legs may have become slower, but his mind is still ticking, way better than some of the so-called young guns. And until Ganguly's mind continues to a kick a few butts and race against the natural progression of clock and time, expect him to be a potent force, both as a leader and a player. He does not promise to win the IPL for the Warriors, he does not promise or even remotely intend to match Gayle's batting heroics, but he also does not plan to bow down without a fierce fight.

P.S.- The Sourav Fairytale is Yet to Reach its Conclusion.

Vicky Donor is a 'fantastic sperm'

The first quarter of 2012 has been fantastic for the Hindi film Industry. We have witnessed small but significant films like Kahaani and Paan Singh Tomar make their mark at the box office, and there have been a couple of massive blockbusters in form of Agneepath and Houseful 2. Amidst all the hue and cry about that coveted 100 crore club and star power, the audiences have consistently rewarded smaller films that come up with novel and interesting stories. Director Shoojit Sircar's 'Vicky Donor' is another such small film albeit with a big heart.

Vicky Donor's biggest plus point is a unique and 'never been touched before' kind of subject. The issue of sperm donation is still a taboo in Indian society and the masses at large have little knowledge about the same. Shoojit Sircar's film successfully deals with this sensitive subject in a very humorous as well as educative manner. So at the end of the film, you not only come out with your funny bone tickled, but also with your mind illuminated.

The story of the film revolves around the protagonist Vicky Arora (Ayushmann Khurana), who is a quintessential young Delhi boy. Yet to find a suitable job for himself, he lives life as it comes. The Arora family comprises Vicky's Punjabi mother Dolly (Dolly Ahluwalia) and grandmother (Kamlesh Gill). While the former often nags Vicky about job and life in general, the later always backs the young boy. On the other hand there is Dr. Chaddha (Annu Kapoor), a fertility expert, who is frantically looking for a sperm donor for his rich clientele and addresses human beings as 'sperms', like 'confused sperm, complicated sperm'. His eyes are set on Vicky, in whom he sees the perfect 'Arya Putra', an excellent reservoir of finest quality sperm. Ashima Roy (Yami Gautam) is Vicky's love interest, who discovers her beloved's 'Donor' realty quite late.

There is plenty of quirky Punjabi humor throughout the film, specially the first half. Some scenes, like one where Vicky's mother and grandmother bond over late night drink, are madly comical. Dialogues are top notch with granny cracking you up with outstanding one-liners. The film takes a different turn post interval with less emphasis on humor and more mileage being given to the core 'issue'. There are subtle subplots of complex and beautiful human emotions and relationships, like the bond between Vicky and his mother, his mother and grandmother, Vicky and Ashima and not to forget Vicky and Dr. Chaddha. Here, I would ike to mention a solitary scene from the film where Vicky comes back to his home late at night to find his mother sleeping in his room. The hardly 3-minute sequence beautifully depicts the mother-son love, and stands out as the emotional high point of the film.

Ayushmann Khurana as Vicky comes across as a complete natural. He gets into the skin of Punjabi boy character and charms you all the way through with his impeccable comic timing. Not to mention, he looks dashing on-screen, justifying in every sense the title of 'Arya Putra' being bestowed upon him. Annu Kapoor as Dr. Chadha is terrific. He is funny, maniacal and a total Dilli da doctor. Seeing his remarkable performance, you tend to wonder why dont we see him more often on the celluloid. Yami Gautam as Ashima looks yummy and charming! She beautifully underplays her character, letting the surrounding Punjabi folk take the center stage. Apart from these three main leads, Vicky Donor boasts of an enviable support cast that delivers a cracking performance. Dolly Ahluwalia as Vicky's mother is sufficiently over the top and reasonably gentle. The showstopper, however, is the veteran Kamlesh Gill playing Vicky's granny, who makes you laugh more than any other cast of the film.  

Director Shoojit Sircar (and scriptwriter Juhi Chaturvedi) deserve applause for conceiving and executing a subject oriented film. Debutante producer John Abraham also deserves some brownie points for backing a project like this and walking an untrodden path. The film also boasts of soulful music with 'Paani Da Rang' being the pick of the lot.However, editing leaves a little to be desired with a scope for 15-20 minutes trimming of film's length. Also, film loses pace in middle portions when humor seems to be making room for few emotions.  

But all said and done, you need special sperms (read people) to make a film like Vicky Donor. It is a brave, humorous and educative film that does not get preachy even for a second. Humor here is mostly subtle sans all the possible awkwardness, given the kind of topic in hand.  

Watch Vicky Donor to get rid of a few stereotypes and have a sperm count of laughs! (read a million laughs)


Rating- ***1/2 (Very Good)

P.S. - By now you know that title of the review intended to say- 'Vicky Donor is a fantastic film.'

Bioscope

I can see a bit of future

And sip a cup of tea

Low waves and high tides

In that deep blue sea

Glimpses of the world above

And abundance of the earth

They look so perfect and plenty

There is no denial no dearth

I can see myself in mirror

For as long as I want

Shy away in admiration

Or impenitently flaunt

At times I lose my way

Sans all the verve and zeal

Decrepit but turns null and void

Cometh the touch of heal

Like a striking maiden

With a mask on her face

Like moon in a rainy night

And the clouds as its lace

They are epitome of life

Full of splendor and grace

For I can kill and get killed

If that may be the case

My heart resides within

Those starry streaks of hope

Call me a sinner or little insane

But your eyes are my Bioscope

Never Write Sourav Ganguly Off

When Pune Warriors take on the Mumbai Indians today, it will be a battle of David and Goliath. Not many would back the depleted Pune side led by Sourav Ganguly to upset the mighty Mumbai Indians, who spanked the reigning IPL champions Chennai Super Kings by 8 wickets in this season's opening game. There also seems to be a lot of negativity and lack of buzz surrounding the Pune Warriors. And there are some valid reasons for it. The Sahara franchise has been in the news this year for all the wrong reasons, almost not playing this season of the IPL. In 2011, they finished second last after flattering to deceive in first couple of matches. So, why have expectations from a side that has not done well to its reputation? Not really. Because, one man in that team has it in him to change the fortunes of his side drastically.

In a pre-tournament analysis of all the sides, I heard Sanjay Manjrekar saying that handing over the reigns of PWI to Sourav Ganguly 'makes no cricketing logic.' I wonder why he and other cynical experts love to loathe Ganguly. Same things were said when Ganguly was included in the side for South African tour of 2006. When he was dropped from the side earlier, these cynics rejoiced. But Sourav shut their mouths up by making a mother of all comebacks in 2006, and going on to play on the top of his game for the next 2 years. Why the likes of Manjrekar find no fault in a 41-year old Gilchrist leading the Kings XI Punjab. IPL is the only form of cricket that Gilchrist plays every year, not even bothering to participate in his country's domestic T20 bash. Yet, he remains the holy cow while Ganguly emerges as the favorite scapegoat.

Sourav has been training hard for four months now, playing in the domestic circuit, and in the process leading Bengal to its maiden Vijay Hazare trophy win. He is a born leader, who can walk into a side solely on his superlative captaincy skills. His batting, still, is better than many of those who are being paid millions of dollars in the IPL. There is no reason why Sourav Ganguly can not do to Pune, what Warne did to Rajasthan. In fact, he has a much better side at his disposal with the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Clarke, Jesse Ryder, Marlon Samuels, Robin Utthappa, Luke Wright and Rahul Sharma in the ranks.

But its not the team which makes Ganguly a formidable force. It's he himself, the never ending fairytale, which makes 'Dada' rise like a phoenix every time he is written off completely. He is very excited about this year's IPL and has been given a free hand by the team owners. At the ripe age of 39, he still has the same self-belief, aggression and passion for the game. Let's get it right- Sourav ganguly has nothing to prove anymore. He could have easily sat in the commentary box, sharing a few laughs with Shashtri or that stupid man Manjrekar. It is only the passion for the game of cricket, which is still driving Sourav Ganguly. Albeit on a high, he retired a bit pre-maturely in 2008. IPL gives him a chance to give back to the game and to the people who still have faith in him.

I am not expecting the moon from Sourav Ganguly and Pune Warriors this year. But rest assured, it will not be a meek surrender either. Sourav will play hard, play for his pride and inspire some good performances from the youngsters. He may not be the same batsman anymore, but he remains the same motivational leader, a fierce competitor and a dedicated student of the game. Cynics have come and gone while Sourav has quietly scripted some most unimaginative successes in his glorious cricketing career. And perhaps it is this never say never attitude, which makes Sourav Ganguly an ageless wonder.

I will not get into prediction business, as far as Pune's fortunes in this IPL is concerned. But I can firmly say that Sourav Ganguly will be the man who will ensure that Pune end this IPL with their heads held high. Trust me when I say this, (and you should certainly not trust someone like Sanjay Manjrekar)- Never Write Sourav Ganguly Off.

5 Reasons Why IPL-5 Will Be a Success

So, its that time of the year again! India's annual summer cricket and entertainment bonanza is here. IPL-5 faces some real credibility issues with its previous edition being lackluster and uninspiring to say the least. But the last edition's low makes me believe that IPL, this year, can only zoom upwards. Forget about the not-so-good opening ceremony (I liked it anyway), the controversies just ahead of the league and other flip-flops, I have my own reasons to believe (and hopefully make you believe) that IPL-5 should be a success story. Here are the 5 reasons:

1. No World Cup Hangover- Its been exactly an year since we won the Cup of Joy. Since then, lot of water has passed under the dam of Indian cricket. We have taken the law of gravity way too seriously, diving towards the ground very quickly quickly after reaching that peak on April 2, 2011. The cricket fans badly need a reason to rejoice and jump up in excitement. Trouncing in England and Australia has taken the sheen off Indian cricket. IPL could well be that balm which will sooth the nerves of distressed spectators. Last year's IPL suffered heavily because the fans were yet to get out of the World Cup euphoria. They were not able to digest a Sachin taking on Dhoni, days after they together danced with that coveted trophy. There was also the 'fatigue' factor and that natural phenomenon of 'low' after achieving a remarkable high.

2. Icons Will Strike Back- Sachin stepping down from Mumbai Indians' captaincy is the last cog in the wheel. Fans should expect all their 'icon players' to shine in IPL this year and I am not saying it just like that. Sachin is free from the burden of his 100th 100 and stepping down from captaincy will only make him lighter. With speculations rife about whether or not the Little Master is now truly well past his prime, I am sure Sachin would let his batting do the talking. Expect a free, fearless and 'enjoying his game' kind of performance from the great man this season. Same goes with Rahul Dravid, another icon player who will take the IPL plunge just for the sheer love of the game. Sehwag, with abundant negativity surrounding him, will also be keen on proving a few points. Ganguly, that never-ending fairytale of India cricket, is excited like a teenager for the IPL. With the Pune franchise giving him free hand, and an exciting pool of players at his disposal, he and his team are my dark horses for this season. And last but not the least, MS Dhoni will also take up IPL as a nice little spa session. With plenty of criticism coming his way in the last one year, Dhoni would like to unwind and relax by playing a few helicopter shots.

3. Fresh Looking Teams, Better Format- There were too many matches in the last season. IPL-5 looks in better shape with one team less and fewer matches. Also, the fresh trading of players has added an element of novelty to the teams, with their core remaining intact. Although, I believe that it should be the last time when open auctions occurred in IPL. The fans must be allowed to develop that emotional connect with their players and the team because that's the epitome of city-based sports league. Too much of shuffle, chopping and changing is not desired.

4. Lesser Controversies/Negativity- Lalit Modi is out of the picture and his shadows are not that long anymore. The shady Kochi franchise is also out of the league and the financial dirt and mud has also settled down. This year's IPL can only look forward after hitting a roadblock last time around. Barring the Sahara fiasco, IPL this year has managed to keep its slate clean. Somehow I feel that relatively low hype and hysteria would help IPL 'build' its own credibility. If cricketers click (which they will), IPL will be back on track.

5. IPL Remains a Legitimate Sporting Product- At the end of the day, it is all about quality of cricket on display. From a little know Paul Valthaty to an ageless wonder like Warne, IPL has been the garden of floral magnificence of all kind. And with new exciting talents like Tamim Iqbal, veterans like Ganguly and Dravid, and other domestic/international players all set to sizzle, IPL assures you of high quality cricket, if not anything else.

With first two days showcasing top four teams of last year, I expect the IPL-5 to hit the right notes from Day 1. The icing on the cake would be if the underdogs like Pune and Kings XI manage to get a good start this season. IPL must live up to its core promise of being unpredictable and exciting. And a good week or so of exciting cricket will be reason enough for estranged IPL lovers to jump back on to the bandwagon.

I am On. Are you?

A Doorstep Away

By Soumya Thakur

Since childhood, I have believed in the city of my dreams. My dreamland gave me an inconsiderable amount of joy, pleasure and self-satisfaction. To my surprise, these dreams have been extremely motivational, inspiring and encouraging factors that made me face the challenges of what they call it with straight spine, heavy voice and big eyes-‘Real World’.

I clearly remember my first ever dream was to become a teacher because Mrs. Das was just a perfect and loving lady for me. My fantasies took versatile turns like singing, dancing, fashion designing, astronomy, psychology, interior designing, journalism, event management, law, IAS and advertising & marketing. Amidst all these phenomenal delusions, one dream not only remained constant but also grew stronger in my blood, this was ‘To Be a Bride (of honour, as I would like to say it)’. This might sound weird as we trust in a world of competence, career, money and status. (By no means am I offending the great minds who find pride in this category). I still feel little embarrassed to admit that I actually belong to the land of fairy tales. My imaginary ‘True Love’, ‘Prince Charming’, ‘Beautiful Kids’ & ‘Happy Family’ have been living with me since I got my first Barbie. These never-been-to places, some known & unknown characters, self-created situations and reactions pulled me up when I was down in dumps. I never knew who these characters were till I met my boyfriend. With him came all the faces and filled blanks that were empty.

After being in a committed relationship of over 4 years, I realized that I have built several other unfilled blocks. This excited me as I got to think of even more spell bounding dreams yet felt unhappy because he was not 'settled'. A few days back on 7th March, I received a message “Its a jackpot!! :D :D :D” and I knew I had taken a huge leap towards my dream, escaping and avoiding those puddles and thorns. I stood up in excitement and sheer joy. I didn’t know anything else but to call mom and ask for ‘him’. Later, during our ‘pre-sleep talk’, I was going red and smiling ear to ear. We talked about confusions he had over money vs. passion, worry about his parents and how close we are to ‘Our Marriage’. It was all so fine until I kept the phone. First time ever in my life, I felt somebody has just sucked life out of me and what I had till now is a mere misapprehension and I don’t want to get married to ‘him’ at all.

This very thought made me sleepless, low and aggressive at the same time. What we have is something I cherish and feel genuinely happy about. Post marriage everyday life, taking even more care about certain things & issues and him, fights & big misunderstandings, insecurities about getting old and everything freaked me out. I thought it is better not to get married to the person you love so much, but to someone you do not know at all so that your bond remains intact & special. Next morning, I was so restless that I called him up to talk about the same even after knowing he is busy with his college. My world went back to the square one, the original dreamy self, as I heard his loving and concerned voice. Probably, that was all I needed and I realized it was just a nervous and rush hour state of my mind as I couldn’t handle the very thought that my one & only, the most precious and special dream is just a doorstep away.

************


About the writer- Soumya Thakur is a student of Advertising and Marketing at St. Xavier's Institute of Communications, Mumbai. She is an avid dreamer and an occasional writer. To connect with her on Facebook, click here.

'Butterfly': With Love, From China

What do you and I, as common educated Indians, think of China? For us, China is an 'aggressor' which is working day and night to expand its military, and falsely claiming Arunachal to be its part. Also, we see China as a rapidly growing economy, a country that has in it to take over the numero uno status from the Americans. The saner ones see China as a prospective ally and a future friend. They believe that two of the most ancient human civilizations can together change the geopolitics and economics of the modern world.

Also, we get an impression that China is somewhat like a well-guarded secret. A country, which was once the epitome of art & culture, cradle of human civilization is now merely know for its impressive GDP numbers.Where have the Chinese artists gone? Where are the writers? Who is the next Chinese movie star, we have had enough discussion and stereotypical banter over Jackie Chan?

It is in this regard, that Julie O'Yang's Butterfly comes across as a refreshing pallet of colors. It gives us a sneak peek into mystical Mainland China, and the immense love that the country has in store. At the end of the journey, you are overwhelmed by the sheer magnificence of that complex emotion called love. Risking venturing on an often walked road, the author displays utmost sincerity and maturity in handling the subject. The novel raises some pertinent questions regarding love- What actually is love? Is love the most important emotion for a human being? Is it the road to salvation? Then, why does the investment of this emotion backfires at times? And this is not all. The novel also gives ample space to historical events that have marred China-Japan relations for several decades.

The story is set in China of 1930s-40s, when World War-II was busy rewriting history. Butterfly is the tale of a young married Chinese woman who falls in love with a Japanese soldier. Both of them are bound by socio-national shackles and their own inner demons of deprivation. Butterfly also challenges the mythical notions of history and human existence, without getting rhetorical about it. There is a subtle undercurrent of prose that flows throughout the story, taking the readers into a magical world of history, emotion and romance.

The author uses layered, at times complex, narration to convey this fantastic tale of love. Her wide range of diction, variety of expression and command over the English language is at display throughout the novel. The conclusion of the story is sprinkled with fantasy, hope, spirituality and a universal definition of love. Julie makes a massive impact with 'Butterfly', and comes across as an uninhibited writer who is completely in command of her words. She is not afraid to touch upon the 'grey areas', be it Rape of Nanking or Sino-Japanese relations in the 1940s. Read 'Butterfly' if you wish to time travel, decipher love and appreciate the richness of Chinese art and culture. Put in a nutshell, J.O.Y's (Julie O'Yang) 'Butterfly' is a joyful read!

*****


Julie O'Yang is a novelist and visual artist based in The Netherlands. Born and brought up in China, she is also a scholar of Japanese language and culture. To connect with her on Facebook, click here or visit her website www.julieoyang.com

'Kahaani' is pinnacle of storytelling!

When was the last time you saw a good thriller in Hindi Cinema? Remember, when was the last time you sat on the edge of your seat, trying to outsmart the filmmaker in the guessing game? Frankly, I do not remember to have watched any exciting Hindi thriller film in a long long time, except for may be 'A Wednesday'. It is in this regard that director Sujoy Ghosh's 'Kahaani' blows you away, quite literally. It's a terrifically written story (Kahani) that entertains, surprises and outwits you from the beginning to the end.

Set in the creatively under-tapped Kolkata (in terms of film-making), Kahaani unfolds at a stunning pace. The film keeps you hooked from the word go and does not set foot off the pedal even for a minute. Propelled by a gripping story [Sujoy Ghosh, Advaita Kala] and fascinating screenplay [Sujoy Ghosh, additional screenplay: Suresh Nair, Nikhil Vyas], Kahaani is a rare blend of human drama, suspense thriller and a socially relevant film. No, there are no preachy lectures on plight of a 7-month pregnant woman here. Rather the director underscores some pertinent points in a very subtle manner. Amidst all the high-adrenaline dark thrill/ drama and suspense, there are also some very fine moments of emotion and good quality humor [Watch out for 'Running Hot Water' sequence].

'Bidya' Bagchi [Vidya Balan] arrives in Kolkata from London to find Arnab, her missing husband. Seven month pregnant and alone in a festive city, she begins a relentless search for her husband, aided by the affable Sub-inspector Satyaki aka Rana (Parambrata Chattopadhyay). With no evidence whatsoever, except for a photograph, everyone suggests/expects Vidya to go back to London. But lies, deceit and non-cooperation further strengthen Vidya's resolve to find her husband.

Vidya Balan comes up with yet another powerful performance. She perfectly emotes the sentiments of a pregnant woman and distraught wife. From sipping a bottle of water every now and then to silently crying in the room, Vidya depicts a range of emotions with utmost ease. In fact, she goes into the skin of the character, making sure that the viewers develop a liking both for her and the yet to be born child. The actress is redefining the definition of an actress in Hindi Cinema, and deserves standing ovation for being brave, for being a complete natural.

Parambrata Chattopadhyay as Rana is terrific

Parambrata Chattopadhyay as Rana is terrific. He beautifully underplays his character, allowing Vidya to take the lead, and leaves a massive impact in the process. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, as an indifferent and rude Intelligence Officer is brilliant. At times, you love him for his forthrightness and there are occasions when you loathe him for being 'strict' with Vidya. All the other supporting actors play their parts perfectly. But the most fascinating character in the film is the city of Kolkata itself! Never before has this city been captured so magnificently (and shakily) on celluloid (DoP: Setu). The madness on street, city's dark underbelly, Pujo festivity, local people, the metro, the tram, tea stalls et all make Kolkata a dominant character in the film. Usha Uthup's rendition in the opening reels is a fitting tribute to this wonderful city.

Sujoy Ghosh deserves thundering applause for conceiving and successfully executing this captivating idea called Kahaani. There is utter sincerity, genuineness and freshness in the way he amalgamates emotions with suspense. Kahaani would do wonders to his directorial career, and catapult him in the league of most talented young filmmakers.

Vishal-Shekhar's music is perfectly in sync with the mood of the film. Clinton Cerejo's background music ups the ante, and creates the perfect ambiance for a thriller. Editing is razor-sharp with every second of 120 Minutes proving to be worth your penny. In fact, Kahaani is one of those films where I tried hard to find a launa but failed. 

It is a film that gives you a sense of pride after watching. You will reminisce, ponder over and smile after coming out of the theatre.Kahaani is pinnacle of storytelling, a near flawless film that helps Hindi Cinema take giant strides.

Hugely Recommended! (Outstanding- *****)

Vidya Balan delivers another terrific performance

 

To Rahul, With Rancor (Bura Na Mano Holi Hai)

Dear Rahul G,

Today is Holi. It is a festival of colors celebrated in India. India is a country, of which Uttar Pradesh is a state. Now, I am sure, this letter has caught your attention. UP is to you what red color is to a bull. Color again reminds me of Holi. And as the tradition goes, you must not mind the mud thrown at you on the occasion of this wonderful festival.

So, we can clearly see that you are red-faced. No, not because of the festival of colors but due to that hammering in the festival of democracy. I had warned you beforehand. Parachuting to a Dalit's house for picnic or cooking up stories at Bhatta Parsaul wont help your cause. (Read: To Rahul, With Rancor) I had also urged you to come out clean on your vision and ambition. What do you promise and offer to this country? What do you stand for? And, who are you at first place? But alas, you did not pay heed. (Read: To Rahul, With Rancor-2) You pay heed to nobody. You ignore media. Sorry, this time people ignored you. I wrote you two long letters! You know what it takes to blog? You know what it takes to blog about you? What Rahul G? I am sure even Parle-G would have paid heed after so much of effort. Ok, bad one. But again, it's Holi. I warned you.

I want to pay you some respect. Please don't mind. Respect for coming out from your shell, and owning up the responsibility for UP fiasco. And now, I take back that respect. For not turning up at your party's meet to discuss what went wrong. I know Congress is run from your mother's kitchen and you discuss your strategies with her at the dinner table, but still this is not done. This shows that you are an arrogant and a weak man. You can not look into adversity's eyes. You are far from ground realities. Your chopper is no match for Akhilesh's cycle. And you are not sympathetic and compassionate towards your own party members.

All throughout your campaign in UP, you faked aggression. You tore papers. People tore your party apart. You shouted against almost every political leader. The people shut you up. By now, you must have known that you are good at attracting crowd. You are a handsome Gandhi. People are bound to queue up to see you. But they will vote only for people they trust. And you failed to win people's trust.

To be honest, I also sympathize with you. You worked really hard to make a difference for your party. But you went horribly wrong in your calculations. You dreamed of forming government while your last tally was just 22. Your promises were lofty, far away and way high from the ground. Being a politician, how could you not read the writing on the wall? How could not you assess the ground realities, your party's actual prospects? Why did you continue to be ill-advised by a bunch of loud-mouth, moth-faced politicians? And the biggest sin of them all, how could you trust and entrust a joker like Digvijay Singh with so many responsibilities?

I pity you for being painted red this Holi. Hence, I made sure that I use coal black font color for writing this letter. I still wish you good luck for future. And I wish you and your family and your party a very happy Holi. Times change. Your day under the orange sun will come. Just make sure that you clean your face and heart properly after playing Holi.


With Rancor,

A Non-Congressman

The Most Unscientific Exit Poll Ever

As soon as the clock struck five on Saturday evening, all leading channels of the country embarked on a self-serving exercise of 'predicting' which party would come out victor in the assembly elections across 5 Indian states. Obviously, Uttar Pradesh got the biggest share of the pie while tiny Manipur was predictably ignored and isolated. I don't know what study and research goes behind these exercises but these exit polls have proved incorrect on most of the occasions, except when the outcomes were very much obvious. How can we forget the surprising results of 2004 general elections, when Congress romped home to majority, putting all pollsters and experts to shame. Exit polls have been proved wrong in States like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, where Mayawati and Jayalalitha secured full majority, despite not being touted to do so. So, I would not be surprised, and in fact would be very delighted, if the electorates triumph over the exit polls yet again.

I have my reasons to not believe these exit polls-

• No channel/ media house comes out with the methodologies and sample size used in assessing the mood of the voters
• There is no guarantee that the voter opens all his/her cards when approached by a research team. In fact, some sections of the voters in UP are famous or rather notorious for not 'announcing' their votes till the last moment. And these sections of the society generally vote in mass for a particular candidate or party, when the polling takes place
• All the exit polls are heavily influenced by caste considerations and religious realty on the ground. What percent of Jatavs will vote for BSP or what percent of Baniyas have moved away from the BJP? These calculations are primarily based on some per-conceived notions that a certain caste or religion votes for a certain party. In today's time, when awareness, angst and anxiety amongst the voters is at its peak, it is very unwise to divide them in such watertight compartments. After all, at least some of the Muslims of Gujarat have voted for Narendra Modi all these years!
• And most importantly, Indian society is so diversified and fragmented that it is a near impossible task to accurately project the mood of the voters

It is precisely for these reasons that I am not a big fan of these exit polls. However, I must admit these projections do add the much-needed 'entertainment' quotient to the elections. '100 Hours of Non-Stop coverage' and other such catchy and emotive slogans by the channels ensure that the viewers are glued to their TV sets well before the results are actually announced. A brigade of analysts and experts debate over something that is still concealed in the future's womb! This, indeed, makes us madly fall in love with the biggest festival of Indian democracy.

So, why not let's have our own little exit poll just a few hours before the results are declared. Of course, I have not traveled to any of these states nor have I conducted any research on the mood of the electorates. But again, we do not who all (if any) have actually done it! Let's take it more as a 'prediction' exercise. After all, we the Indians, have always bet our lives on result of cricket matches or fate of a Bollywood film. Let's give elections a shot, this time around! (No pun intended)

U.P.- I do not see Samajwadi Party securing a thumping majority in UP elections. Yes, SP should emerge as the single largest party, but Congress should not do as bad as projected by most of the exit polls.

My Prediction for UP- (total seats 404)

• SP- 150-160
• BSP- 110-120
• BJP- 80-90
• Congress-RLD- 65-75 

UP is clearly heading for a hung house. I will bet my money on a SP-Congress govt or the President's rule for the state.

Uttarakhand-(total seats 70)

• BJP- 35-40
• Congress- 25-35

A tough call to make. But I will bet my money on BJP to cross the magic mark of 35 ahead of the Congress.

Punjab- (total seats 117)

• Congress- 50-60
• BJP-SAD- 40-50
• PPP- 0-5

Yet another tight finish, but I hope Congress to upstage SAD-BJP combine. Punjab has never voted for an incumbent government.

Manipur- (total seats 60)

• Congress- 30-35
• PDF-20-25
• TMC-10-15

Congress should retain power in Manipur. but, the ambitious PDF coalition may not fare as poorly as projected by exit polls.

Goa- (total seats 40)

• BJP- 20-30
• Congress-10-20

So, you have yet another exit poll to reflect upon. Obviously, it is the most unscientific exit poll ever but I am sure, it is not devoid of the entertainment value. And anyways, by tomorrow we all will know who got it right and who did not!

P.S.- The projections are solely on the basis of writer's own political understanding. The projection of seats for 'others' has been deliberately avoided as the writer finds them (others) very boring.

The Next Great Indian Batsman?

As a cricket lover who grew up watching the exploits of the 'Holy Trinity', the idea of 'life' after them was very discouraging. I had torrid time coping with the reality that Sourav Ganguly will no more play for India. Thankfully, that machine called Sachin still runs on and Dravid also has some cricket left in him. In between, there were plenty of brilliant displays by Laxman and Sehwag in test cricket, but nothing matched that sheer charisma and divine nature of play that Sachin, Dravid and Ganguly displayed. As the curtain slowly draws on the careers of remaining two of the trinity, one question props up in the mind- Who will be the next big batting star from India?

We have a tradition (and reputation) of producing world-class batsmen over the years. From Gavaskar to Tendulkar, Indian batsmen have been merchants of unmatched craft and acumen. So, who will carry the baton forward? In this age of IPL, do we have the talent that can match the exploits of these greats?

While discussing about the next great Indian batsman, few names automatically come to the mind. Virender Sehwag has a terrific test record and highest ODI score ever to his credit, but he is way too wayward and careless to be crowned a 'great' of the game. Moreover, his ODI record is very mediocre and he also lacks consistency and right temperament.

Second name that comes to the mind is that of Southpaw Yuvraj Singh, who is currently recovering from illness. In the past few years, he has emerged as a great One-day cricketer, winning the coveted Man of the Tournament title at the last year's world cup. But his Test performances have been way below par and with age no more very much on his side, he seems to be more of a 'one-day' wonder. Third name on the list is that of Gautam Gambhir, who has emerged as India's opening mainstay in both Tests and ODIs. But Gambhir lacks the flair, elegance and charm of a great batsman. Yes, he has a very consistent record in all the formats of the games, but something stops him from making that transition from a 'very good' batsman to a great batsman.

It is in this regard that a certain Virat Kohli catches my imagination. And, I am not saying this only on the merit of his herculean effort at Hobart. Virat's silken stroke play reminds me of young Sachin, his grit and resolve matches Dravid's steely nerves and his temperament and attitude resembles that of Sourav Ganguly. Yes, 3 in 1 may sound pretty cheesy and romantic, but those who have followed Virat's rise over the last couple of years, would know what I am talking about!

 Virat has everything that it takes to be a great batsman. He has already emerged as one of the India's best finishers in ODIs, averaging more than 55 while batting second. Also, it's not a mere co-incidence that he happens to be the only Indian who has scored a century, in both Tests and ODI tri-series, on the current Australian tour. He always looks hungry to succeed, there is a streak of fire in his eyes. More importantly, he is also a quick learner and represents the new breed of Indian cricketers who never say never. All of this indicates that he could well be India's future captain too.

But, the stamp of greatness on Virat Kohli will acquire its true color when he matches his immense talent with more incredible and consistent performances. He will have to cement his place in the Test team and may be take up the respectable no. 3 slot. Time will judge Kohli on the basis of how many matches he wins for India and how convincingly does he win over himself. Being young is both a privilege and a liability in sports. India has seen too many young stars who flatter to deceive and fail to cope with their new found stardom. Kohli is sending all the right vibes, and no wonder this cricket-crazy nation is seeing a hero in him.

So, if the script unfolds as per the promise of the synopsis, we just may have found the The Next Great Indian Batsman.

3 Idiots/ Waiting for Godot

Virender Sehwag is the most irritating player to have ever graced the game of cricket. Yes, he has achieved great personal milestones and made a huge impact on the fortunes of his team, but his self-indulgence and gloated personality makes me virtually hate him. His carefree attitude, both in life and cricket, borders on carelessness. This is not all, he takes pride in being careless and reckless, as if his stupid so-called candid statements make him a dream man for Indian females. He does not know the meaning of word humble, does not know how to handle the media or does not know how to speak at first place. At yesterday’s press conference after India’s crushing defeat at the hands of Lankans, Sehwag was his usual stupid self, throwing himself deeper and deeper into the web of questions weaved by the media.

 

He did not show an iota of remorse or shame at his terrible batting form and his team’s pathetic all-around display. Instead, he used the occasion to bare open his seemingly irreconcilable differences with Captain MS Dhoni. By the end of the conference, it was clear that his ego has been hurt after Dhoni blew the lid off the infamous rotation policy. Sehwag must realize that he is no holy cow, he is no Sachin Tendulkar. He has been dumped from the side in the past and there is no reason why he can not be shown the doors yet again. His batting is poor and detrimental to team’s interests, his attitude is arrogant and un-sportsman like.

This brings me to Captain Cool turned Captain Fool MS Dhoni. He has clearly lost the plot. Sad and surprising, for a man who seemed so much in command not so long ago. With 2 World Cups and No. 1 Test Ranking under his belt, MS looked invincible as a captain, to say the least. Everything he touched turned into gold, every move he made turned out to be a decisive step. Lady luck was his muse and the country could not believe how a man can be so composed even after having virtually the entire world at his disposal.

But 8 overseas defeats in a row and there are chinks in the armor for everyone to see. MS has become more and more imprudent in media management, his on-field captaincy has taken a tragic turn and his very place in the test side looks pretty much in danger. He is no more a captain who backs his players. Some of his decisions off late, smack of partisanship and favoritism. His cricketing decisions are backfiring like never before, the infamous rotation policy being the latest example. More ominously, Dhoni is losing the dignity and respect captain commands within his team. The seniors are unhappy, and he himself is doing nothing to reach out to them. His ‘confessions’ in the media, be it about the top 3 being slow fielders or his retirement plans in 2013, appear to be amateurish rather than candid.

And there is this 3^rd dimension to the Team India’s woeful media management Down Under. Gautam Gambhir seriously needs a few lessons in yoga and meditation. He always looks so combative and serious. I remember seeing his marriage photographs. Poor Mrs. Gambhir! That ultra serious attitude shows in the kind of statements he makes in the media. Caution and restrain is something that he should learn or else forget about taking up the top job once the Dhoni era is gone.

And heroics of the 3 Idiots aside, there is a raging debate over whether Sachin Tendulkar should be dropped from ODI squad or the little master himself should hang his boots. It’s amazing how fortune changes. And even more amazing the kind of fickle memory we, the cricket lovers have. Though I believe that April 2, 2011 was the perfect date for Sachin to retire from One-day cricket, I am against even the faintest of cry for the great man’s ouster from the side. But again, I also believe that Sachin must not be allowed to pick and choose matches he wants to play. Clearly, playing ODIs after almost a year is not helping his cause in Australia. Sachin’s random choices are also not helping the cause of youngsters who strive hard to make their way in the team.

Sachin Tendulkar has literally achieved everything in shorter format of the game. It’s time he should take a call on his future in One-day cricket. This will help him unwind and concentrate. And who knows that elusive 100^th ton may come just after that clutter is removed from his mind. Sachin’s wait for his personal milestone is turning out to be utterly tragic and anti-climatic. Many have started to wonder whether the wait for Sachin's 100th 100 will end up like the one for Godot!

It will be a dream headline – “Sachin Emulates Don, Retires at 99”

What happens when you vote wisely?

A Wind of Change is blowing. The results can now be seen on the ground.

1990s-

As a small kid, I used to ask my mother, ' Why do we sleep so early?' ‘It’s just 8'. She used to tell me that good people sleep early and wake up early. She herself slept an hour later to me and woke up, (ok, believe it or not) at 3 in the morning.

 Now, I look back and realize, there was nothing to keep us awake beyond 8. All the shops, markets started winding up by 6 in the evening and by 8 my town was patrolled by street dogs. The only sources of entertainment were DD National and Vividh Bharti. On fridays, I and my sisters used to plead mom & dad to let us watch the feature film on DD (The movie started at 9.30 in night). Obviously, it was the boldest and bravest adventure, we could afford to imagine.

Importantly, Electricity for us was like an ice cream. It used to melt away before we could savour it. Erratic power supply was sometimes followed by absolute power cut for days, even months. People said the Lalu Govt. was specifically targeting my town as it was 'Upper Caste' (Bhumihaars and Rajputs) dominated.

 2005-06:

On one of my trips to home, I met an elderly man whom my father admired a lot. Elderly people in my state have this tendency to quiz you, especially if you have a 'Delhi-returned' tag.

'Kya naam hai'? He asked me (In a typical Bhojpuri accent). ‘Ashish’, I replied. He was not amused. "Pura naam boliye". ‘Ashish Anant’, I tried my luck again. He was now satisfied and passed a smile. "Pitaji ka kya naam hai?” He very well knew my father, yet he wanted to hear his name from me. He was actually seeing whether I add "Shri" before papa's name or not, and whether I speak out his full name (My father has a long name) along with the surname. I passed the litmus test and the elderly man patted my back.

He continued, "Aap Dilli mein padhai Kar rahe hain." I nodded. "Baaki, yahaan bhi mahaul ab achcha hai. Dilli wali baat nahi hai, par Bihar badal gaya hai. uuu Dekhiye, pole par bijli hai, 20 ghanta rehti hai." I looked up at the pole. A bulb was glowing so magnificently that its luminance could be noticed even in the broad daylight. After exchanging pleasantries with the man, I continued towards my home.

That bright shining bulb is still fresh in my mind.

2010-11:

I do not know how one can measure happiness; I am not an economist or a sociologist for that matter. But during my trips to Bihar during the year 2010-11, I could feel a wave of happiness in the air. Driving towards my hometown, the RJ on Radio Mirchi Patna kept me informed about what all good things are happening in Bihar and how Patna has now properly transformed itself into a ‘city’. The first multiplex was already functioning, a mall was on its way, global leaders of taste like McDonald’s, KFC and Yo!China had opened their outlets and so on. In between, Mirchi played social service ads by Bihar Government. Clearly, something unusually ‘feel good’ was happening in my home state. I listened to all this while the driver ballooned the vehicle in and out of a web of flyovers.

I do not say that Radio Mirchi, KFC and flyovers are indicators of development. But yes, they are the agents of change. Agents of change for a state that sunk in abyss of misrule and anarchy for 15 long years. My female friends in Patna tell me that they are no more scared to go out on the streets after its dark. The bank of Ganges is now again buzzing with ferries and people who are on picnic. People are now less concerned about someone’s caste and surname. Education has become a priority and possibility even for the poorest of poor. And most importantly, there is no more a stigma attached to the term ‘Bihari’. My friends in Delhi do not tease me anymore for belonging to ‘Laluland’. Being a Bihari, now, gives me a sense of immense pride and satisfaction.

All of this has been possible as people of Bihar chose and persisted with a man who promised and delivered development. My state is a shining example of how vote can demolish or develop a state. Elections, after all, are not just about rallies and shouting slogans. There is a lot at stake.

 P.S.- The writer is a proud Bihari and has witnessed his state's meteoric rise in the recent years.

The Number You've Dialled Is Currently Switched Off!

Every morning the Times of India tells me something interesting about this wonderful world. (Screw Hindu!) Agreed that on most occasions, the TOI front page is preceded by a full-page advertisement of a product/service. But somehow, I find even these ads interesting. For example, today's newspaper carries a huge Vodafone ad that tells us why should we continue using or switch to the Pug telecom service provider. And if you have been following news keenly since yesterday, you would know why am I so upbeat about this ad. To me, this Vodafone advertisement conveyed the nuances of SC's landmark judgement on 2G spectrum allocations much more lucidly than the expansive coverage in rest of the newspaper!.

So, the Supreme Court has yet again come to India's rescue. It has made it categorically clear that loot wont be the rule but an aberration. And, that even a private citizen, with a well-researched and meticulously formulated PIL, can send ripples across the echelons of power in New Delhi. And most important of all, 'first cum first serve' is not a great 'Idea'. IPL auctioning brains can be proud of themselves!

In the next 4 months, 121 telecom licenses will stand cancelled. I am wondering if any of my friends is in 'loop' of the likes of Uninor, Videocon and even Idea! No doubt, millions of consumers across different cities will be affected by this verdict. Thank God! Mobile portability is very much alive and kicking!

Obviously, the likes of Airtel and Vodafone are grinning ear to ear. Lesser competition in the market may lead to higher tarrifs. Let's not forget that tarrifs went up by at least 37% last year just because some of the beneficiaries of the Raja's telecom 'tamasha' could not roll out their services. So, that cellphone in your pocket may not easily rest in the times to come. We, the celebrated middle class, can of course cry hoarse yet afford swing of any kind in the telecom sector, but what about those maids, workers and not so privileged who proudly welcomed cellphones as new members of their family.

SC's verdict is an indictment of the government, the telecom ministry and TRAI. It will ensure that policy formulation in this country is now more transparent and well laid out. But, the consumer may have to suffer a bit. The verdict is a victory for the common man in the sense that he can always expect justice and relief from the highest judicial body. The rich and powerful may plunder our wealth but they will have to give answers sooner or later. And I am sure, this big gain from the verdict clearly outweighs the little troubles that we might have to face as telecom subscribers.

And lastly, it is so pacifying to see that one of the biggest blows to corruption has come from within the 'system'. There is still a lot of goodness in the people of this country. And till this goodness and hope thrives, our phones will continue to ring. (wink)

UP Polls 2012: Return of Sadhvi

She had all the ingredients to be the ‘next big thing’ of the BJP, yet she never really found her place in the party’s ‘Gen-Next’ brigade. Gifted with excellent oratory skills and an ability to judge the ‘pulse’ of the masses, Uma Bharti is the saffron party’s quintessential ‘infant terrible’. Her relation with the BJP is as melodramatic and full of twists as a Bollywood potboiler. However, the maverick sadhvi is back in the thick of things as the BJP’s saviour-in-chief for Mission UP 2012.

Uma’s biggest challenge in UP is to revive the BJP by consolidating its core vote-bank as well as try and break new grounds among the electorates. She brings with herself the much-needed energy and urgency in the election campaign for the BJP. In fact, all the headlines that the BJP has grabbed from Uttar Pradesh can be mainly attributed to Uma Bharti. Otherwise, UP elections would have been all about Mayawati versus Rahul Gandhi with a pinch of Mulayam Singh thrown in between.

BJP finds itself in a great fix in the politically crucial state of UP with its electoral fortunes declining steadily. There is a dearth of credible leadership in the state and it is in this regard that Uma Bharti comes across as a very pleasant option for the party. She is a proven crowd puller and her appeal amongst the backward class may just revive BJP in the state. Also, Uma’s projection as BJP’s in-charge in UP can galvanize some of the Hindu votes. The party has already made its intentions clear by promising cow to the poor and including Ram Temple issue in the manifesto. Also, there is a lot of slugfest over the issue of minority quota with Uma terming it as ‘an attempt that could lead to second partition of the country’.

With Mayawati still pretty much in command of her ‘socially engineered’ electoral base, Rahul Gandhi going full throttle in his attempt to revive Congress and Samajwadi Party leaving no stone unturned in wooing minority votes, BJP faces the possible embarrassment of finishing fourth in the elections. Uma Bharti not only needs to resurrect her party’s plunging fortunes but also urgently requires to send out a strong message to ‘critics’ who wrote her political obituary. Her detractors accuse her of being an ‘outsider’, someone who has come to UP only to perform an ‘assigned’ task. Also, the fact that she is not even the chief ministerial candidate of her party makes her job tougher. Uma needs to convince the common voter of UP that she is not just another ‘star campaigner’ who hops around in helicopter. She needs to build some confidence in the hearts of the people of Uttar Pradesh. And she also must realize that things have changed drastically since she hogged limelight in UP for her call to build the Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

Whether she succeeds in salvaging BJP’s pride in UP or not remains to be seen. Frankly, no one expects a miracle of sorts from the Sadhvi but yes, she is at least expected to put up a good fight. She has definitely come across as a breath of fresh air for the almost dead and buried BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The party, which had almost nothing new or exciting to offer and promise, now at least has a known and proven mass leader to spearhead its campaign.

Note- First of a series of articles on State Assembly Elections 2012.

'Agneepath' is doused fire!

First things first! I believe every film deserves to be evaluated in its own light. Even remakes and sequels should be 'complete', unique and well rounded themselves. Too much of nostalgia can do injustice to the makers of the film in question. Hence, here I will not compare director Karan Malhotra's Agneepath (2012) with Mukul Anand's Agneepath (1990). Also, the film in question here is way too different from its predecessor with only 'Mandwa, Kancha, Vijay' and the underlying theme of revenge being the connecting links.

In fact, if I act rude and blunt, the 2012 remake has very few things worth comparing to the original cult classic. But, the fact that Karan Malhotra's film has very few merits of its own, makes the viewing experience more disappointing and the prospects of comparison meaningless. Agneepath is a tragically long film that forces you into the sleep mode post interval. However, it is the acting bravado of three male leads- Hrithik Roshan (as Vijay Chauhan), Sanjay Dutt (as Kancha Cheena) and Rishi Kapoor (as Rauf Lala) that saves the film from being an utter disappointment.

The story line of the film revolves around Vijay Chauhan's quest to seek revenge from Kancha who killed his righteous school-master father. In his bid to topple Kancha's empire in Mandva village, Vijay takes shelter at the doorsteps of cunning Rauf Lala. Later on, Vijay checkmates Lala and his gang, and launches a final assault at Kancha's fortress. Not to forget, the three women who impact Vijay's life- his love interest Kaali (Priyanka Chopra), a jolly Marathi slum girl who runs a 'Chinese beauty parlour', his mother played by Zarina Wahab and his sister Siksha played by Kanika Tiwari.

The length of the film (more than three hours) is its biggest undoing. While the film starts on a very promising note with first half hour being enthralling, the subsequent reels start to bore you. To be fair to director Malhotra, the film does pack a few punches till interval, but fails to ignite much fire later on. Hrithik's much-anticipated homecoming to Mandwa in the second half is surprisingly lacklustre and fails to ignite emotion in the viewer. In fact, there are many scenes in the film that fail to register a strong emotional impact despite their supposed high melodramatic scope. The scene where Vijay's mother invites him for dinner fails to make an impact with only Hrithik's food binging with left hand leaving a bit of mark on memory and heart.

Hrithik's chemistry with both his mother and beloved lacks substance. Shiksha, his sister, gets undue importance throughout the film without impressing too much. Priyanka Chopra gets very little scope throughout the film, however she plays her part pretty well. The child actor (Arish Bhinwandiwala) playing young Vijay Chauhan is terrific. Om Puri gets too much importance in the role of Commissioner Gaitonde. He looks very tired and out of place, hardly the kind of cop a menacing Kancha or a cunning Lala would fear.

Hrithik Roshan deserves credit for being 'himself' as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. He does not get carried away by the sheer weight of Big B's iconic portrayal of Vijay in 1990. He brings his own poise, style and signature to the lead character. The marked difference in the way Hrithik approaches Vijay's character is well displayed by the fact that he is not always grumpy like Big B of Old Agneepath. Sanjay Dutt as Kancha looks deadly and fearsome. This act will surely flood him with offers of negative roles, all over again. Rishi Kapoor is refreshingly in command of a negative character that has shades of white. He looks sufficiently shrewd and cunning as Rauf Lala.

To put it metaphorically, director Karan Malhotra makes a mess of the delicious food platter on offer. He seems confused about the volume of significance he should have attached to various characters. Hrithik's wedding to Priyanka towards the end is pointless as far as the progession of the story goes. The sequence seemed to be a deliberate attempt to get rid of Priyanka's character. The final showdown between Kancha and Vijay lacks the ultimate fervor and punch. Hrithik is beaten black and blue by Dutt only to miraculously rise while casting a ghostly look towards the Banyan tree. And yes, there is this running commentary on 'Dharma-Karma' from Kancha and also some moments when Vijay and his father together recite 'agneepath' verse! Hmmph, all of this is very irritating!

The film boasts of good background music. In fact, it is the high point of the film along with the music (Ajay Atul). 'Chikni Chameli' (Katrina sizzles!), the Ganesha song and the Qawali number leave you spellbound. You feel happy looking at the screen. The overall production value (including cinematography) seems very rich and glossy, with impressive sets, specially the somewhat 'haunted' Mandva village.

All in all, the film lacks the captivating screenplay, emotional connect and most importantly a good decent editor! I will go with Two and Half Stars (**1/2- average) and a 'scissor' for director Karan Malhotra's Agneepath. It is a 'bloody' long revenge saga that demands extraordinary patience from the viewer!

P.S.- This film review is a tribute to noted film critic Nikhat Kazmi, who passed away on Jan 21.

Kites

Kissing the sun in a clear blue sky

Was an experience unmatched, I thought

Riding the wings of a flying bird

And the euphoric sense it brought

High and mighty, I covered miles

Bathing in the scoffing rains

Jittery wind hummed victory songs

As I crisscrossed the celestial lanes

The world below seemed so measly

As I ruffled my feathers of pride

Flying high on the wave of success

Forgot to take the string in stride

A forceful surge is all it took

For the string to tremble and break

Nosediving to kiss the earthen lips

I resembled a shambling wreck

High of highs and thrill of peak

At best last some days and nights

But to sail in air and avoid a fall

We need to learn from Kites