Raghav Scribbles

Man + Madan + Ambu

2011-01-09T09:23:00.000-08:00

Firstly, I wanted to blog about Endhiran. But then I decided otherwise, as it would bring in a lot of arguments. But then I read an article/blog from a tamil writer Chaaru Niveditha. He was bashing from line one to the last, which I thought was not at all fair. Again, there is a huge concept of freedom of speech or opinion. I have no rights to stop him saying things that are not fair. I would write a blog in Thamizh very soon and it will be mostly about his blog and not just about Endhiran. :)

And now I would go on dragging about Man+Madan+Ambu. I use the word dragging because many people felt that the movie was dragging. :P But I was totally comfortable throughout the movie.

The movie should not be compared with Kamal's earlier comedy movies like Pancha Thanthiram, MBBS, PKS or Dasavatharam. Neither it should be compared with a movie like Anbe Sivam. This movie is totally a light hearted romantic movie, where there are few subtle comedy moments. But then, I got to admit that the romance part was not convincing and it has nothing to do with the age difference between Kamal and Trisha. As Kamal, portrays as Major R. Mannar a widower, a retired Army and Trisha as Nisha aka Ambujashini who is a tamil cinema actress. This clearly shows the age difference and the writer was not trying to show Kamal as a youngster or at least did not want to show as young as Trisha.

Madavan was at his best. He had the opportunity to be the best performer in this movie and he grabbed it rightly. One must watch and enjoy his acting rather being described in a blog.

Usually we would feel the dominance of Kamal in almost every thing that he do. But he was very subtle and Madhavan impresses a lot than any one else in this movie. It was a fun movie with a very strong message about TRUST in a Relationship.

Except that the blossom of love between Kamal and Trisha was not so clear, screen play was at its best. Many complained that screen play was wobbling in the climax scenes. I did not feel any bit of wobble in the screen play. In fact, it is really a very difficult screenplay, which was very well directed.

Songs were rightly placed and was there an only dissapointment that Kamal's Kavidhai was taken off. Screen Play sucked only at that time and Kamal had no other choice I reckon.

To me the best dialogue I have ever heard recently is when Kamal relates his War and the accident that his family and Trisha's is involved. I liked it very much. It was so simple unlike Kamal's usual philosophical/sarcastic dialogues. :P There were many sarcastic dialogus as well. Come on, his fans are never disappointed. :)

What is wrong in a Masala Movie?

2010-08-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I wrote here. Well, whenever I come back here, blogging after a long time, it would be only for a movie review.
However, this time its not exactly a movie review, but just in general about movies. To be precise, about Masala Movies.
I have no intention to hurt anyone or offend any one's thoughts here. But I always wonder why people (read as "A class people" in terms of Cinema Industry) do not appreciate masala movies. They fail to understand that Masala Movies are one of the genres and a major revenue earning source for Indian Cinemas. I never liked Sci-Fi movies, but I dont go and watch all those movies and start cribbing about them. I simply dont watch them. I expect such a thing from these so called "Quality Audience"

I would like to introduce who these people exactly are: The ones who watch all mani ratnam movies, bala's, kamal's etc. But again, I am the one too, who watch all these guys' movies. But they are different. They watch only these people and these kinda movies. They dont give a damn about others. I know that you all understand whom am talking about.

"A" Class people get to see many non-English foreign pictures nowadays and they see a lot of English movies as well. But when they come back to see our Indian movies, they never appreciate the very local, national, commercial, typical masala movies. They fail to understand that those movies are of different genre. They may not see Al Pacino, Rober DeNiro, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Samuel L Jackson kind of actors in these movies. In fact, most of these actors have acted in few so called action movies in hollywood. Those movies would definitely fall under Masala if they were dubbed to Thamizh or any regional movies.

People fail to understand that creativity is involved in making Masala movies too. The creators need to understand the pulse of crazy fans and get the movie reel go in favour of audience.
Lots & lots of effort have been put to make these kinda movies as well. More than the efforts, belief, faith and more than anything a lot of M.O.N.E.Y is spent on these movies. The most irritating behaviour of these people is that, they talk rubbish about all these movies just because they don't like watching these movies. They fail to realise that there are people who would want to watch movies of this genre or at least, who would not complaint watching movies of this genre.

When a movie in Hollywood had nothing but simple comedy and romance in it, people praise and categorize the movie as 'Simple, light hearted movie'. Whereas, if the same was done in our regional languages, these people categorize as 'Not worth a penny', 'Waste of time' and what not? May be 'Not at all a movie'. :)
I wonder why they don't simply ignore the genres they don't like. Instead, they keep cribbing about those movies. And the worst part is, it is them who book the tickets in the very first weekend the movie is released and comment on each and every scene they watch. It would be absolutely irritating when you are in the hall and if your intention is just to while away the time by watching such movies. I would also blame these die hard fans of Masala heroes. ( I would rather not mention those names, cos they are always known to all). It is those die hard fans who do so much of hype for those movies and probably these people get irritated and start flagging against these movies. Flagging against each and every scene is some what boring you know. Some times such comments get boring than the actual movie. :P

We all know and have seen Samuel Jackson in lot of quality movies. But then, I have seen him in worst movies like Snakes on a plane. I would never forget to mention about Clive Owen's Shoot 'em up in these arguments. I have seen the best comedies like 'Hangover' and not so good comedy like 'Hot Tub Time Machine' or take ' Confessions of a shopaholic ' for an example.
People appreciate movies like American Pie, but complaint about movies like Boys. I simply don't understand why.

People must understand that an every day meal is made of all ingredients. We don't eat all sugar meal for breakfast or all spicy meal for lunch or all salty meal for dinner. We mix them all for every meal. Movies, as well, are like that. When you are in mood to watch Mani Ratnam, watch his movies. But do not forget that Sankar is not so bad either. It is just that his genre is different.
If you could appreciate Bala, dharani is second to none when it comes to pacy, action packed masala movies.
One must understand that there is someone always better than the one we think of. If someone say Balu Mahendra's July Ganapathy is good, I would say Rituparno Gosh's Raincoat was better than that. Leave alone that July ganapathy is purely a remake of an English movie. But then these people say that the movie has been inspired by the director. :)
But its just don't end here. I would say movies like Forrest Gump or Terminal are far better than Raincoat. It goes on and on.
I can compare any number of directors/movies like this on and on. But then, Too much of anything is no good. Too much of praising masala movies is not good either. :D Take this blog as a light hearted movie. :) Chill now. :D :D

காத்திரு...

2010-01-29T07:02:00.000-08:00

This picture was shot and uploaded by my wife's uncle in facebook. There were few poetic comments on this. Apparently they were really good. I was trying to comment on it, I was unable to do it. There were many reasons, I am not as good as those writers. May be I am not as spontaneous as others. But one thing kept my mind busy. I knew the inner thoughts of those comments and my feelings did not match. No offence meant, Every one has their rights to expose ones' opinion. Well, enough of reasoning and excuses for not writing a comment there. I thought I should write my inner thoughts about the photo. I had no other option than writing it here.

This is how I see the photograph. As a very small story...

Those eyes of children were waiting for their friends from the school. The friends come out and play in the trunks of such a big banyan tree. They play swinging, hanging and falling down from the tallest trunks. These kids who wait for their friends, play along with them. When the lunch break bell rings, those kids goes back to their classes. Those eyes would start waiting again.

One fine day, while they were waiting, the girl asked her elder brother, why should they wait for their friends and not to go inside the school. The boy who knows the situation says that they can only wait for their friends to come back, they cannot go to their friends.

There are millions of eyes waiting like this, not just to play with their friends. Also, to get back to classes with their friends.

On Pongal, Vijay TV was screening about Agaram. A small organisation started by actor Surya and his friends. They would personally help few students who could not continue their higher studies due to lack of money. Few stories of those students, made me shed some tears. But kids like in this photograph, got no help even to start their studies. Agaram helps them to continue their higher studies. But how would one go till higher studies?

This is what I thought when I saw this picture. That was totally instant. I had no other thoughts even after reading other comments which had other stronger inner thoughts.

Aayirathil Oruvan

2010-01-19T06:43:00.000-08:00

Firstly, Before giving some credits to the director to have tried a different genre for Tamil Cinema, One must appreciate my guts to have gone to watch this movie with my family. When I say My family, that includes my wife and MY PARENTS.

Well, I have been hearing all negative reviews about the movie Aayirathil Oruvan. I have no idea why people expect something clean from Selva. Probably the promotions / teasers misled the audience to believe that the movie is a fiction, fantasy or all other genres that I hate to watch in a Hollywood movie. Probably people expected it to be like Harry Potter series or a time travelling story. Yes, Whatever the genre could be, but the movie is hand written by Selva. You just cannot get rid of his own glamorously-appealing-style. Be it a whatever-genre-movie it is.

Things one must appreciate:
1. To have thought about such a perplexed story & present it with this genre.
2. To have granted this story to our Tamil Audience.
3. Music, especially the BGM, by GVP.
4. Cinematography.
5. Parthiban's acting. I guess all these days he has been wasting his efficience.
6. For not casting his brother Dhanush. lol. Trust me, I am not kidding. Trust me again, I liked Pudhupettai. I still would rate Pudhupettai as #1 of all Selva's movies.
7. Few comedy scenes.

Things that were really bizarre:
1. Stunts were not at all professional. I dont know which decade Selva is in now. Cos, even for a 100% commercial movie, people hire professional stunt crew.
2. Could have avoided few Selva kinda scenes.
3. Could have explained the 7 dangers at least in the end.

Though the hostile comments from me are very less in numbers, few blunders were too obvious and easily noticeable. During the audio launch speech, he was irritatingly saying not to match tamizh movies with hollywoods'. Rather, he wants hollywood to match with thamizh. Dude, you must not make those blunders in stunt sequences, if you want to match with someone or someone else want to match with you. I would not say those blunders were unintentional, rather I call them careless errors.

People say he has given the pieces of many English movies. Come on, even few scenes were like Avtar. But the movie was done long before Avtar was released. Have some heart and try to appreciate movies of this genre.

People whom I know very well, would know that I would have not even cared to watch this movie if it was an English movie. Only reason I watched this movie was cos this was for Tamil Audience in tamil from Tamizh people.
Final word is, it is definitely not a bad movie. It comes under the category, can watch it once.

Whats in an anonymous post?

2009-10-01T12:25:00.001-07:00

I seriously dont understand why there is a way to post comments anonymously?
It is really suprisingly stupid to allow anonymous posts or have an option to allow anonymous posts in blogs or in any online forums.
And people who makes use of anonymous posts are the real cowards. I hate to write this here. But at least seeing this, someone would try revealing the identity when there is something sensible at all to convey.

I always hated anonymous calls, texts and letters. These online forums are no exceptions. Phew. I never thought I would write something here about this.

Kandasamy - Purely an Entertainer ( If you dont expect anything else)

2009-08-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

Ahem...

On Sunday morning, I started getting SMSs saying Kandasamy is not up to the mark or a total waste of time. Then I thought I should watch it on the same day, cos people start saying a lot about the movie and things that they did not like. That makes me to learn more about the story. I did not want that to happen. Luckily I did get tickets to watch that movie.

You all know what? It is not an easy task to write about a movie for which a lot of people have already criticized against it. Probably I may not even know whether I liked this movie. There are many reasons that I liked this movie:

1. A lot of bad comments about the movie. This made me to watch the movie with the least expectations.

2. I like all kinds of movies. I mean all genres. Let it be drama, comedy, horror, action, entertainer (we can call it pure masala). etc etc.

3. Concept of the story was really good.

4. I always have this faith in few good directors. Susi Ganesan is one of them.

5. There were not lengthy lectures (particularly in the climax) by the lead role justifying all his mistakes since the story began.

6. Justification of flying stunts.

The last 2 reasons would be accepted only if you guys watch the movie.
I am not marketing, This movie can definitely be watched once.

I would definitely not say this movie is a must watch or flawless or has best screen play.

Following could be the flaws from the movie:

1. Unwanted Vadivelu scenes.

2. If vadivelu's were not good, Charlie's was even worse.

3. Few erotic scenes of Vikram and Shreya.

4. Extra songs like Meow Meow, that pizza selling song ( These extra songs makes us to feel that the current directors are still coward or they still think that the present audience likes those masala stuffs. This goes for having an idea of including Vadivelu scenes)

5. Screen play could have been little better than this. I wont say it is totally bad.

These mistakes are quite common in this Genre of movies. Yeah, When it is said entertainer, there are possibilities of having such negative points.

The director reveals a lot of secrets at the first half of the movie itself. This shows his confidence in carrying the screen play forward. However, I was disappointed with his confidence level by having few extra songs and including a separate comedy track. Extra songs are somewhat understandable. Yeah, these songs are included for business purpose. The music album should be equally profitable. But having a comedy track that do not gel with the movie is totally weird. After all, I did not expect from the standards of Susi Ganesan.

My final one line comment would be, If Anniyan was too good, Kandasamy deserves at least a GOOD.

BREAK TIME COMMERCIALS.

2009-08-09T07:04:00.001-07:00

I have been reading few blogs in the past two weeks. I do read random blogs just to get inspired. Yeah inspirations to write :). I read few blogs for which I had to reply immediately. For few of them I did not. I kept those points in my mind and thought I would write a blog in my own space. Yeah, one such thing is about Commercials.

All of us feel bored whenever we get that break thing during our favourite shows, movies etc. Thanks to many creative minds who keep entertaining during breaks as well. I read many blogs where the bloggers have always complained about commercials. Commenting on the content. Of course, few commercials are too sick and makes me to scream. I dont know what my wife would think whenever I crib about such sick commercials. Probably she might think what I would have done if had given a chance to create one. Yes, if she had thought like that, it is a wise thought.

There are many good ones which simply takes us away from our fav show or a cricket match. I would love to list the recent commercials that made me to say WOW.

All Airtel Ads
All Vodafone Ads

I guess Airtel started following Vodafone style recently, where the small gal makes a paper boat and it starts raining and her friends helps the boat from drowning.

Forget if they are following their competitor's style or not. The videos are good.

Amaze health drink powder has impressed me in a different way. The mother asks her son about INTERNET. The kid starts explaining her and not even more than a line has come out from him, the mother starts worrying about the stress of the son's brain. She thinks that the technology world needs better and active brain. She stops listening to her son and starts thinking about the health drink which might help his son to be active and smart.

I like this ad very much. I thought what a typical mother. Isnt it true?

Ads are really a good break nowadays. Few years back, may be a decade back they were truly a nuisance. Though the number of commercials are more, they are made interesting and a lot of hidden talents are brought out to public eyes.
Models, Photography, choreography, Musicians and a lot of behind the camera talents are made visible.

I may not have made a point out of this blog. However, I thought I shared whatever I have had in my mind.

Yes I did it.

2009-08-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

I know I have not been writing here for long long time. But now, I DID IT.

I have been making and breaking many promises particularly to scribble something here in my space. Yeah I have been promising myself a lot of times.

The most convincing of the promises is "Once I move upstairs in my new room, once the construction is done"

The reason for this promise is that I was thinking I did not have privacy to write my own thoughts.

I did not keep up my own words. I am writing this almost after 3 or 4 months since I started living in this new room. I had promised to write on many things. Now everything looks too old to write. One such example is IPL. Know what? It was during the first season I decided to write about the IPL. I feel very guilty whenever I realise that IPL season 2 is over as well.

There are very few people who had been following my blogs. And those few people keep asking me about it now and then... I cant say now and then. Now and then when we meet. Probably I can blame on this. Yeah, probably if I had met those few people quite often and had they asked about it every time we meet, I could have given a better attendance than this. Alright, now that I have started, I would keep writing. I hope I don't break this promise too. Thanks to all those FEW FOLLOWERS, I don't even know if I can announce everyone of you that I have updated my blog. I really don't know how many of those few followers would accept this as a blog.

I simply cant believe that even my marital status changed twice since I wrote my last blog. Yeah, I got committed and got married as well. Yeah, happily married for more than a month and still going... :)

Shattered Dreams

2008-07-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

This story was written for a SHORT STORY CONTEST in one of the ORKUT COMMUNITIES.
The Contest rules had said that every story should have the following words:

"Banwara mann dekhne chala ek sapna"...crooned one of the radio stations. "Can we ever stop dreaming?"
And yeah the theme of the story should be DREAMS. And here goes my story.

Shattered Dreams

Scene 1

13 June 2008 2100 hrs, Chennai.

Kabilan came out of the pub, dancing to the last beat of the song that was hitting hard in his ears a few seconds ago. Yes, he wasnt stable. Even after 8 large pegs of whiskey, his thirst was not over. His so unstable mind did not forget to pick his beer bottle packed with brown paper. By the time he reached the car park, he opened the bottle and swallowed the first half of the bottle greedily. He was not sure about his destination. His hands were so busy driving. His mind wasnt. He enjoyed every day like this. Drinking hard all night and sleeping until his hands reached for next sip of alcohol. Now, He was driving happily singing (Read it Yelling) along whatever songs his hands tuned in to. "Banwara mann dekhne chala ek sapna"...crooned one of the radio stations. "Can we ever stop dreaming?" was the RJ's voice. He tuned into the other station." I wanna be ur underwear ..." was the other song in another station. He laughed out loud and started to shout along with Bryan Adams. And never thought about stop driving nor beer sipping.

Scene 2

13 June 2008 2100 hrs, Chennai.

Mercy was waiting for her to-be-ex husband in one of the beautiful restaurants in the city. Yeah, They did not live together after 3 months of their marriage. They both thought they were not for each other. However, their relatives and friends thought 3 months is too short a period to come to such a decision. They were meeting after a month since they got seperated. She was looking at her watch for 10th time while she was sitting near by the glass window of the restaurant. The restaurant first floor had a beautiful view of the city roads and the near by mini fly over that divides itself to either side of the restaurant. She did not hesitate to enjoy the view as she ever would. Like any other day she was happily enjoying the vehicles head lights flashing in different colurs. She always thought her city was so beautiful unlike her life. Their marriage was arranged by parents and had involved all formalities of the church. She thought somehow the god did not bless her with the right partner. When she was exactly thinking about that, Jose came rushing to the table and said "SORRY" for the first time in their married life for being late. She could not believe her own ears. She thought he wanted to keep her happy in their last few days of married life. After living 3 months with her he thought she was mentally too weak. He thought she was not strong enough to be in any relationship. He also did not want a wife who is so caring and so depending on him.

Mercy did not want to keep this long, She raised her chin and asked him

" Why are we meeting today? " He did not want to answer for this question. He thought she would ask him " When are we getting back to married life? "
She cleared her throat to repeat her question. He simply replied " Just to finalise everything "

She expected him to reply " To get into the habit of dating every evening " But he had replied the other way already.

" So Whats there to finalise? " She asked.

" Its up to you Mercy. As you wish. um. U know, I thought I should give you some space to take decision on this. Just as you wished, Lets live apart for next 1 year for the sake of law. Then, probably we should get the papers signed. "

She controlled that tiny tear from her eyes and managed to smile. Her eyes had to fight a lot with her own heart to show such an instant smile. She did not want to show her weakness. He always liked women who were strong. He always said he would not cry for anyone. So she was doing a HE this time. She acted like him. Acted bold, brave and beautiful.

" Does that beautiful smile means AGREED? " He assumed that she is happy to get away from him. He thought deep inside him and begged his god why should not he get a negative answer from her.
" You had brilliantly put up the question Jose... " trying to imitate his tone and voice, she continued "AS YOU WISHED, Lets live apart.. blah blah... So, As I wished, I would say a big YES " Again fighting hard with her heart, to be like him, she smiled and said another "YES". He kept staring at her beautiful eyes, expecting her to cry. Those beautiful eyes did not. Rest of her body cried except her eyes, which went unnoticed. Should blame those beautiful eyes for that.

When he wanted to say the next word, tears rushed out of those eyes. Yes, It was Jose who cried and said " I think love you and would be so incomplete without you in my life" She stood up and tried to stop him crying. She was not happy that she made him to cry. Rather, she was happy that he had the same feeling as she had. He went on kneels, grabbed the plastic flowers on the table and proposed her for the first time. " Can I take you home? "

She was having a mixed reactions on her face. Laughing and crying happily for what had just happened.

Scene 3

13 June 2008 2200 hrs, Chennai.

As Jose was on his kneels, there rushed a car from the mini fly over which failed to take either of those divertion, crashed the glass window and hit her forehead, took her along with it and landed on the other side of the restaurant's first floor. Jose went near by and could only see both Kabilan and Mercy dead. Very few of Mercy's body was visble. Beautiful eyes were never there. Jose cried forever in his life.

End of the story.

Kabilan had nothing to lose, he killed Mercy. When she died, she was happy and so happy that Jose loved him very much.

Jose was never smiling and was never himself. Careless Drunk and Drive of Kabilan caused Jose' life. A happy marriage came to an end as soon as it was found.
Both their Dreams were shattered.

ART - A Short Story...

2008-05-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

30 Dec 2007 Sunday, 0600 hrs

The alarm sound from Vikram's watch broke the silence of the room and stops his long thought which was going on in his mind for the past 1 1/2 hrs. He realised that its 6 in the morning. He got up from his bed, had a look at Ramya's face. He made sure that he would not change his mind. He started brushing with the same thought in his mind. By the time he finished brushing, Ramya kept his juice on the dining table. He finished it within a second and started wearing his jogging kit. Ramya asked him to come back soon and not to keep thinking about it. He replied " Sure dear, I would mind my steps "

Though he took his iPod with him, he did not want to listen to any music that morning. He kept jogging and did exactly what Ramya asked not to. He thought,
he should make a decision before he returns home. He was much slower than his usual speed. He thought he should sit and think about it. Also, he did not want to sit in his usual place. He did not want any of his jogging friends to be with him. He saw the right place to be alone and to make a decision. He knew, he had decided already. He just wants to think about the consequences of his decision. He thought his popularity might get affect cos of his decision both ways. Either, his fans would go wild or just praise him for a great piece of work. He also had Ramya in his mind. Ramya had always been with his decision so far. This was the first time she actually hesitated to say yes. She in fact, convinced him not to go for it. But he kept explaining his thoughts. He remembered that She finally agreed by saying " As you wish ".Those 3 words gave him the confidence. He started jogging back. He reached home in less than half the time he took to reach that point. Ramya was happy that
he came back fast. One of the things that she loved in him. He always wanted to be fit and healthy. However, she thought he was not going to make a healthy
decision in his life. She started the conversation again. "Looks like some one has taken a decision". He did not hesitate to reply "YES".
He said that two more times. With such a response, Ramya could understand that he has taken the decision in his favour. She had to go with him. She has never been against him all these years. She simply wanted to support him in whatever he does. Photography has given him all the fame. But he has never tried anything like this one before. He has a good name and has his own fan following. There are lots of people who respects him as a human being. Ramya is afraid that he would lose all of them once he gives such a bad show. However, She knew the reason behind it. She was little proud of it as well.

While in showers, he revised all other alternatives that were helpless. By the time, there was a reminder knock from Ramya at the door. He remembered that he got to be out soon. While having break fast he really confirmed his decision and went on to implement all his plans. He called up to book the usual hall where he launches all his gallery. This time its special, its controversial. He called up his own printing studio and told them he would be coming with the CDs. Then he told himself " First time, I am spending no money on film rolls and only on printing them "

He had some animation work to be done on all the photos that he downloaded from the web site last night. He did not want to show the faces of those people.
Yes, last night he downloaded all the nude pics that he found from that popular social networking website. All he had to do in the studio was to morph the faces of those nude models. He did not want to reveal them. He did not take any foreigners pics. He wanted to show people that all stuffs are done in India and by Indian models as well. He felt bad that none of the pictures were of his style, technically. All the morphing were done in less than a hour.

Now its his time to print them. As he did that, he also printed some hundreds of entry forms and feed back forms. He knew that the feed back form would really be annoying for the visitors. But he made sure that there should be one and did not mind about any kind of feed back. He picked all the pieces and drove all the way to the usual community hall. At the entrance, he got the usual salute from the security guard. Everyone reminded him that how much of respect he has earned in the society. At least in photography circle. He was gonna try something weird now. He had to explain a lot and all his ideas to the chief secratary. He looked little convinced and more confused. He did not want to take risk. He said "I suggest you not to do this as well. Not anywhere. I'm scared that you would lose all the goodwill you had earned all these days. There are lots to achieve. You have got the skill, do not wash away that by doing this."

He simply got up and said "thanks for the suggestion, and yeah, thanks for those caring words" He left with a smile on his face. He decided that he would do this in his own studio. He drove back to his studio. He had to clear a lot of things to give space to all pieces. In the end, he had to reject few odd pieces from the list, so that there would be enough space for the people to roam around. He wondered whether people would be roaming around on seeing all these nonsense pieces. He had to finish off all these things before 1500 hours. So that he would start spreading the message. One of his employees went around places to start spreading the news about his upcoming New year special Gallery. In fact, this time it was much hyped than any other of his shows. Usually his show never required any such hype. However, people did not bother about the hype. They were simply scheduling themselves for his show as they did for his any other show.

31 Dec 2007 Monday, 0600 hrs

Again the alarm broke the silence in the room. This time, He was sleeping without worries. He woke up and left for his morning jog. As soon as he came back,he called up and made sure everything was set at his studios. He was so busy with this, that he did not spend much time with Ramya. He thought he would go for a long trip once everything goes well. He knew that the trip would please her. He needs one break as well. While he was thinking about it, He got the first WISHES through an SMS. One of his friends had seen the ad in a web site and responded immediately. His fans are excited and are completely surprised as this was an unexpected show. There were no talk about his gallery as he had put up one just few months ago. He started receiving calls in his studios, close fans were unhappy that he did not tell them about this surprise. He could not answer them. He simply said sorry.

1st Jan 2008 Tuesday , 0900 hrs

People were very curious about two things. One, Why he did not put up in his usual Hall, and the next, why no sample pieces are put up outside his studio also in none of his Ads. There were many other professional photographers who had arrived as usual. They were surprised to see the feed back form this time. He had never done that. Except for his first public gallery show.

Once the hall was open, people started getting in. And they were shocked to see each and everything they had seen. Some wise fans could understand that he has a point this time. Still they were disappointed that they had this kind of show at the beginning of a new year. There were lots of elder fans for him. They were all totally ashamed. In fact, he had many aged people as fans. They thought they had been following a bad guy's art so far. He was not in the hall till now. He started getting calls in his office already. Some people had called up press, to witness such a nonsense. They were so eager to fill the feed back form. One 78 yrs old lady had filled it saying "I had travelled 250 Kms just to see all this. I have nothing else to say. I will never come out to any such show." She was supposed to be the best fan he has ever had. He always said that. Because, she had travelled every time he had put up his show.

Press people wants all the model to be called and to be sued along with Vikram. Finally he came out of the office and told the press people to have a
conference along with his fans in his own studio.

There were lots of obvious questions from all sorts of people. He did not answer any Of them.
Then he started explaining everyone one ...

" I would like to apologize everyone for such a beginning of this new year. I know many people must be angry and I would like to tell you all that none of the photographs were taken by me. I was really terrified like you all, when I saw these things in my own PC. Yeah, I could see these things in one of the famous social network website.

I saw one of the feed back forms, I have always respected her. She is the eldest fan. She said she had to travel around 250 Kms to see these nonsense things. I will tell you one thing respected madam, You grandson and granddaughter need not travel all the way to see all these things. They are just one click away from this nonsense. I tried a lot of way to protest against this in the same website. This website is one of the best of its kind in bringing old friends in touch and bringing lots of alumni meets in schools and colleges. One of the successful network websites of its kind. So I thought of bringing many people to my side by sending lots of messages. I did not get any response at all. I emailed many of my friends, they were all too busy for this. They were not bothered about this at all. I could understand their busy schedule. But I was unable to leave it like this. So I decided to bring people to my own studio. I know none of my fans will leave this easily. I know no followers of any art would take this easily. That's when I decided and had taken a high risk. I am very sorry
once again. Now, I know, whom all of you would target at. I hope everyone would show the same anger to the other powerful i Media. You all can definitely make some difference. I request you all to forgive me once again for using all of you and your valuable time. Thanks for being kind to me so far. I expected a lot of violence than a formal press conference. I love you all. Thanks and don't let your anger go away so easily. "

After his speech, there was absolute silence. Then it broke when that old respected woman fan applauded with her soft and old hands.

20Th Jan 2008 Sunday , 0600 hrs

This morning, there was no alarm sound to break the silence. Vikrams were getting ready for a trip to Goa. :)

Why dont we???

2008-05-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

Another hot and sunny day today. In fact, the whole summer was the same in chennai. Lucky enough to be a SW engr, and to be spending most of the day time at work place. Still, we do feel the heat when we go out for lunch. We try to avoid our food court lunch to explore other restaurants' food. Having explored most of the eat outs near our work place, sometimes we try our own canteen food. But today, I asked my colleague WHY DONT WE have our lunch at ANDHRA MESS, that we did not go for a long time. For which he immediately agreed and we started to walk. We both know that the food there will be really good than our canteen's. And we usually avoid the MESS, thinking we would eat a lot over there and that affects our diet. :P Somehow, today I managed to convince him. We both had lots of expectations as we usually do. To surprise us, the lunch was not good at all. We did not have much to enoy over there. We paid for the lunch, which was not expensive at all and walked back to work place.

On the way back, though it was so hot and sunny, My lunch partner had a crazy imagination. He said WHAT IF THE WHOLE WORLD ENDS IN A FEW DAYS? He went on adding, if thats the case he would love to live for some extra hours and look how does it look when everyone is dead and all the things are just gone. As I was with him, :P he added on saying, it would be nice if few known people are with him. LOL... He started worrying, what will we do for other stuffs. We gotto re invent stuffs like electronics, electricals and he was worried about all other day to day things that we gotto go and search for. He said, we gotto keep sharing information that we know, share our talents and discoveries that we make in the dead world. So that, the next generation would take it from us. He said, a lot has to be taught to the new generation. He also made a honest point. "Being a triple E student, I have no idea about any electrical and electronic stuffs nowadays" . I thought, thats what software has done to us. We dont know what we learnt, we know what we gotto learn next for the next project we gonna get in. :D

And it was a very short walk, and we reached our work place and felt great with the change in temperature inside the work place. I simply could not stop my imagination though my friend had stopped his. This guy wanted to give transition to the next generation so that the world would be a better place. However, I wanted a list of things that I would not educate them about so that the world would be a much better place...

I would not teach how to bribe and how to ask for bribe. I cant help if they learn themselves. But, atleast the place would be a better one until they learn themselves.

I would not teach how to cheat others for food.

I would not teach how to earn ones' bread without working hard.

I would not tell them that there was something called BEGGING in India and other so called developing countries.

I would not teach them to say NO when someone really seeks help. I would not make any one feel jealous of others as well. And the list goes on like a politician's promise while campaigning.

I know, You reading minds would be thinking that I have gone crazy... I know, there were few stereo type dialogues in the above mentioned list. But my question is, why do we think about what can be done to make that new generation to have a better world. WHY DONT WE realise that there are a lot more to be added in NOT - TO - TEACH list, than that of WHAT - TO - TEACH list. I guess, the new world would be a better place if we dont teach anything. New world would not know many evil things that we knew and excelled during our lives.

What ya guys say??? Am I not correct?

Just to increase the count...

2008-05-26T11:46:00.001-07:00

Yah, its almost a year since I made an entry here. Though I have come and visited my page to see if there are any special comments for those 1st and 2nd post I made here. ;) LOL.

However, I was never out of ideas on what to write. There were 2 new stuffs in my mind at the beginning of the year. One of them was rejected as I lost one of the main sources I had in my cousin's handset. I still wanna keep it as a secret, cos I still believe I would get that one day and make an entry here about that nasty incident.
And the other got rejected as well, which I thought that was not so funny as it was when I began. So I tried hard to come up with something that I could write here. Finally decided I should write one short story. That short story is definitely on the way, but never mind if it is gonna be too long and boring also. For me, thats the first story, so would love that however it comes out. Probably this entry could also be a kinda announcement that there would be a short story released here shortly. :P I know, I was totally senseless in the last line. What to do? Just came in flow. And feel lazy to go back and think of a better line to impress the readers.

And again, Months ago there were few more incidents on which I wanted to write, but I had to write a lot of emails at my work. That kept me busy for some days. Later, I would forget what I wanted to write. Then began this 3 magic letters season. I P L. I was totally lost in that for many weeks. Ofcourse, I was writing emails at work for many days, missing Chennai matches.

When I created this account, I thought whatever I write here should be meaningful. However, I changed that stupid idea once I saw many stupid blogs. :D Just kidding. Thanks to those blogs which did not have many meaningful stuffs, but just something written. So, I thought I shall write as well. But to remind you about my short story??
That will not be stupid and senseless. Yeah, I am waiting for I P L to get over, to write my views on it as well. And how I enjoyed the season. I have given 2 upcoming blogs from me. Keep waiting.. (As if, 1000s of visitors are waiting for the release) :D

So, its time for me to shut this damn crap. I seriously dont know what I wanted to write. But ended up promoting few upcoming products of my own. :P I think I am good at marketing, than writing queries. :D Many would agree on that. Those "many" would be my own peers. LOL again. Sorry for those people who expected something better and sensible than this. I guess atleast few people would have had a nice time pass.

Shivaji - Logic illaa Magic Something...

2007-06-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

As soon as I got ready to witness the most awaited moment, I started thinking about blogging my view on this movie. Whatever the result is, disappointment or an exciting one.
But I hardly thought of writing a disappointed review for this movie. Because I had faith in Shankar and am more of a director follower than an actor follower (nowadays). Yeah, It was not a disappointing one.. But???? ;)

And I am still hesistated to continue this blog right away. Coz, Watching shankar's movie once isnt just enough to make a comment. (Atleast to me!!!) But I just couldnt wait anymore to be here and let you all know how i felt about the movie. Yeah, let me start on it now.

The movie is not for shankar fans at all. There are very few shankarisms u can see. Like, his richness, his taste on female lead's look, locations, sets etc. There are few more of his kinda scenes which are better to be seen than described. All the hard work he and his team has put in the past 1 1/2 yrs for this movie is just to treat Rajini fans. Which I did not expect at all. Rajini's style and look gets better and better from the beginning of the story to the end. When I say this, you all should be well prepared to see the usual Rajini Introduction song with the same dance steps that you all have seen before. Again, Shankar tries to make it different and the location was too good. Situation was equally bad. The least favourite video moments of the movie is the intro song. Which is not that bad too. There is no shortage for comedy and style. Rajini and Vivek has been a double doze for both comedy and style coz both were humorous. Vivek has been stylish in his own way and also equally funny when he imitates Rajini.

Having criticized about the first song, It wudnt be fair on my part to leave out other songs. All the other songs were the best of shankars. Though we can see the usual shankar's formula in vidoes of the songs, It is still and always enjoyable and makes us to question " How the hell he has done this ?" I did not want to reveal this, but i just cant stop myself. 'Adhiradi' is the best of all and 'Style' is just next to the former. These 2 songs were full of visual effects and style. Just style. Where Rajini fans can enjoy them all untill his next movie release. Shankar did not only bring a teenager out of Rajini and also from us. Yeah, After a long time I enjoyed a movie without any thoughts going on in my mind about the story. Particularly in those 2 songs, Rajini has been shown like an upcoming masala hero, and more like a typical innocent kid. People just cant comment on his looks on those 2 songs. I really dont know whether he is the right man for the story... But he is the only right man for those 2 songs. Each and every moment of the movie has been enjoyed by the crew and they have sculptured a colourful statue without a life called message.

Shankar has disappointed his fans to treat Rajini fans which matters more when it comes to business. No offence meant. Where people expect just entertainment and no logic, This is the best place to land at. Thats why I have captioned this as Logic illa Magic something. But the magic is something very attractive.

I may come back to write more on this movie after few more times of watching. I tried my best not to reveal most of the important scenes. And also tried not to reveal many infos abt characters which are not at all there. :P

Mudhal Kavidhai Ezhudhiyadhum... Kavidhai # 2

2007-03-29T04:07:00.000-07:00

Mudhal kavidhai ezhudhiyadhum ...
unnai mudhal mudhalai ezhudhiyadhum,
nee evalavu azhaganaval enru unarndhen...

mudhal mudhalai kaadhal vasapatavan pol thirindhen...
chennaiyilum iyarkai irupadhai arindhen, rasithen...

mudhal maadha sambalam vaangiya adhey unarvu,
kadarkarayil nerungiyavaludannadandha unarvu,

paaratukalum kindalum serndhu vandhadhu...
en kadhaliku unmel poramai vandhadhu,
naan unnai adhigam nesikiren enru...

seidhi thaalil vandha kurugiya katturaiyum
kavidhayo enru paarthu emaarndhen...

cinema mettukalil en mudhal kavidhaiyai
paadi,rasithu???aam siripum vandhadhu...

edhayo saadhithvan pol,netru nimmadhiyaga uranginen...
isaiyai adhigam rasithu vandha naan,
padalin varigalalil adhigam gavanikka arambithen...

thamizh arivu kuraivaga irupadharindu,
thinarinen,varundhinen...

aam Kaadhal dhan kavignanai uruvakigaradhu,
aanal nee dhan ennai unmayana rasiganai maatrinaai...

nanri solla vaarthai illai,
aanal melum kavidhai ezhudha aasai irukkiradhu...

Kavidhai kavidhai #1

2007-03-29T04:01:00.000-07:00

kadhal vandhadhum,
urakkam kuraindhadhu,
kanavugal adhigarithadhu...

sandhoshamai irundhum,
idhayam vali kondadhu...

24 mani neram podhavillai...
sila samayam, 20 nimidam sella villai?

natkal kadandhadhu,
ilamaiyum koodiyadhu...

veru vazhi irundhum,
nedu dhooram nadakka virumbiyadhu...

bathroomil kooda munumunukadha naan,
satham potu pada thodanginen saalaiyil...

Saalai vidhigali meeradha nallavan aanen.
Saalaiyil pira pengalai notamum viduvadhillai...

Trafficil, veroruvar thavaru seydha podhum,
mannika thonriyadhu...

puriyadha mozhigalilumkaadhal
padam paarka thonriyadhu...

iravil ilayaraja padalgalai vida,
neenda nera tholaipesi pechukalum,smsumey sugathai thandhana...

vidiyalai edhirparpadhai vida
good morng msgkaga kaathiruka vendiyadhayitru...

vizhigalin mozhi purindhadhu,
aam anaithu pengalin vizhigalum dhan...

neenda nera padam paarka pidithadhu,
avaludan paarkum bodhu...

aam kaadhal vandhadhum...

Scribbling # 1

2007-03-18T01:02:00.000-07:00

Well, My first ever blog. Seriously dunno what to write here. I used to write a lot and keep it to myself and make sure no one can see that. Of course, there are few things that can be shared. So like everyone I also thought this is the best place to write and also share with others.

And now, What am i going to write about? I am very sorry that this is not a happy beginning. There is nothing else in my mind than the incident that happened last night. I realize it is not that easy to write about it very next morning. Still, I have decided to start today and I should write about the same. Yeah, I am also in the same mood of what many other millions of Indian Cricket fans are in now. But I don't like to bash our cricket team by sending stupid SMSs to the so called news channels. Though few are really funny. It was like this " Send Sehwag back home, I would pay the flight ticket " Actually that SMS brought some laughs from me and few other friends who watched the match last night. All these SMSs are seriously of no use to the viewers. Someone is making money of it. Well well, I don't want to deviate from the subject. Of course you can forgive me for deviating, after all this is my first blog. :P.

The main reason for the loss is the decision to bat first after winning toss. Yeah yeah I agree. Many of us knew the reason. But its not that Dravid did not know about the pitch. The mistake was under estimating the opponents and thinking of having a good match practice by batting first. Taking such a hasty decision, the team had to suffer. The best thing is we lost to a test playing nation. We can at least argue and convince ourselves by that. The bitter truth is we lost to a bunch of players whose summed up runs in all the matches they have played will not even be 50% of what sachin has scored. And I always had this soft corner for Sehwag. I always had faith in him. I always argue with my friends and peers that He would be the best on his day. I dunno when that day gonna come for him. Will he be picked for the playing 11 again in this series? Good thing happened was Sehwag picked 2 wickets, both involving Dhoni. You guys must be wondering what good in that. Yeah man, They both were in my yesterday's super selector team. Lol. Dhoni having scored a duck, he would have yielded a negative score for me. Good Sehwag picked 2 wickets and 2 stumpings by Dhoni. Again, I am deviating from the subject. U know why?????? after all I am a debutant.

And after the match, I did not switch of and go to sleep, I waited for the other match to get over, Made sure that Pakistan had lost the match. Ha ha. How silly i am? Its there within every one of us you know? right from our school days. If we flunk in a test, we will convince ourselves by saying " even the next seat guy failed. No Issues. " The funnier part is, the next guy failed in an easier paper. Yeah, They lost against Ireland. Very funny huh? Okay, Serious message to end this first ever blog of mine. Decision to bat first or not has to be taken looking at the pitch and not at the opponents. Bubye.