Om Shahrukh Om

I hate Shahrukh Khan.

I wanted to begin writing of this blog with the statement which is as true as “Sun rise from East”. I would probably end the blog with the same statement which would be as true as “Sun sets in West”.

When I was in India, to watch any movie twice or may be more than twice was as normal as eating 4 times a day. You normally don’t eat 4 times a day, but there are days, when you end up eating more times. I saw Hum Aapke Hai Kaun, 19 times in the theater mainly because; we had nothing to do those days apart from watching Madhuri Dixit and sitting in the Air Condition Theater for 4 hours. I had watch many movies more than one occasion, Saudagar, Khuda Gawah, Rangeela Sarfarosh, DDLJ are the few that comes to my mind instantaneously.

I have been living in USA since last 6 years and there was not a single occasion when I felt watching any movie second time. Perhaps, If I would have had money, I might have scene “dil chahta hai”. There are numerous movies which were very good movies, which could have tempted me to watch it twice, for example, Rang De Basanti or Lage Raho Munnabhai or Dhoom 2.

After watching “Om Shanti Om” on Friday last show, I went to the theater (which is about 20 miles from my apartment) to see the Om Shanti Om second time in a next day. This is just to show, the impact of the movie. Instead of normal 1 show from 9 to 12, that theater had actually 5 shows on Friday and Saturday evening and guess what, all 10 shows were sold out. I would be surprised if this movie does any less than 20 Carore of Business in the first week and eventually cross the 100 carore mark from India and Overseas.

People, who know me, know How Much I hate SRK. It is just not because, I am a big Aamir Khan Fan or Amitabh fan but SRK, to me is “HAKLA” and “Most Overrated Actor”. But this movie, whose heart and soul is SRK, proves me wrong one more time. I say one more time because, I loved SRK in Swades and I loved him in Devdas as well.

For the entire first half of Om Shanti Om, I was trying to find out, the “overacting” of SRK. I would say, SRK was under the observation room under me for the first half. I would say, I found him out of place for just couple of scenes. He was amazing in the comic timings, He as a junior artist in the first half, had to act on the scenes where he is copying some actor, but he managed to generate his own style for the part of “Om Prakash Makhija”. His style of walking, explaining things, falling in love expressions all were just amazingly real.

I think, Aamir Khan performs emotional scenes and songs @ the best. Remember the song in Rangeela and Tanhayi from Dil Chahta hai, However, SRK was equally good or should I say brilliant in the sad song in the first half. The only song in the movie which is not famous or equally brilliant as other songs, “MRUGNAYANI” was made special by the choreography. It is not easy for a big star to make mimicry of Past Stars but SRK does it efficiently. Specially, the “Jeetendra” steps in the songs are aesthetic.

SRK, looked at his best, in DDLJ, @ the end of the song “Najane Mere Dil Ko Kya Ho Gaya”, wearing red t shirt and waving the hand saying goodbye to Simran (Kajol). And after 12 years, he looked @ his the best, when he drives the bike in the form of OK (Om Kapoor).

I thought, he acted beautifully in the first half but I was so wrong again. He acted magnificently in the second half. In the role of Aby Baby, (transformed into OK), he acts walks, talks exactly the way, you would imagine the star sons might be doing.

Dialogues of the movie are also written sharply. My all time fav. Dialogue of the movie is from “Lamhe”, when Anil Kapoor’s friend says, “She is loving Anil from last 5 years” and Sridevi replies, “I am loving him since I was 5 year old”. Similar line of dialogue is written when Arjun Rampal says “Call me Mike, Everyone in Hollywood do”, OK replies “Call me OK, everyone in bollywood do”.

Short One Liner stories from bollywood are nicely captured in the movie, For Example, the name of Govinda and Sooraj barjatya taking the Maine Pyar Kiya Dialogue. One minute detail captured nicely was the Poster of Sholay with the title “Still Running”. The story is based on 1977 and Sholay released in 1975 and was still running in the theaters in the year 1977 successfully.

Second half highlight was the song “Deewangi Deewangi”. It is a treat to watch, Mithunda and Govinda and Saif and Salman and Sanjay and Dharmenda and Jeetendra together dancing in their traditional style.

Second half looks long enough and there were about 15 or 20 minutes of time, when the boredom takes place. However, what comes after that 20 minutes is the Climax scene and that was the best part of the movie. The last 10 minutes of the movie, were shockingly and surprisingly the best part of the movie.

I think if I have to find the things which could have been done better would be:

Picturization and Dance Steps of “Dard-e-Disco”. I mean the song is the best song of the movie and no doubt SRK and his look is in a lot of talk, what lacks actually in the song are the steps. It is very a good dancing song and I felt, it was little let down by the steps, SRK movements or perhaps even choreography.

Editing of the Movie. Although Sirish Kundar has done marvelous job of making sure that second half does not look long and boring enough but eventually it does for 10 minutes or so when story kind of stops and does not move with the pace. I felt, little editing would have helped in the first half, where couple of scenes when SRK was acting as a Southern Superstar could have been cut down from 4 minutes to 2. May be one of two scenes from Kiran Kher could have been chopped.

I just felt sorry for Ranbir Kapoor and SLB for not being able to watch, “Saawariya” this weekend due to the fact that I am still under the phobia of “how can I like SRK movie?” J

The fact is: it is completely fun loving movie, an entertainment and I would not be surprised if SRK wins many awards along with lot many $$$$$$ with this movie.

The other fact is: I hate Shahrukh Khan.

Om Saawariya Om

At least since Last one month, there is not been a single day when this question has not haunt in my mind, Saawariya or Om Shanti Om. Perhaps, I may end up watching both next weekend, but now, which one should be the First One?

Let’s Look at the PROS of SAAWARIYA:

· SLB (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) Movie ..Director of Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas and Black.
· Star Son and Star Daughter’s Debut Film. (Last time It happened was BARSAAT, when Bobby Deol and Twinkle Khanna came together a decade ago)
· Guest App. By Salman Khan (equally important as SRK in India) and Rani Mukherjee (desperately looking for the Hit Movie and last time in Bhansali movie, she performed Award ( Oscar) winning performance.
· Music of the Movie is far more different than usual.
· One Song Sung by Shaan ( I am listening this song like a prayer everyday)….JAB SE Tere Naina (It reminds me of 1942 a Love Story song, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To)
· First Movie Made by Hollywood Production Company.

Let’s Look at the PROS of Om Shanti Om:

· Produced by SRK (King Khan who Rules Overseas Market) and Directed by Farah Khan (Main Hoon Na and Spouse of Jaan-e-Mann Director Shirish and Sister of Hey Babyy Director Sajid Khan).
· Looking @ the Track Record and Promo, this seems to be a Complete Entertainer.
· Possible Remake of 80’s Hit KARZ (Double Role of SRK) and even carries the replacement chartbuster of Dard e Dil from Karz to Dard e Disco in Om Shanti Om.
· Deewangi Deewangi Song carries 31 Stars (an Attraction for sure)
· Ajab Si Song could have been as good as Jab Se Tere Naina from Sawariya, (Key Omission of CHORUS who makes the Sawariya song more enjoyable).
· Debutant Actress, Deepika’s Link with Cricket Star Dhoni would give much needed Publicity.
· Strong Supporting Cast in the movie.
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When “Khamoshi” released some 10 years ago, I didn’t went to theater by looking at the tailors of the movie. I think the music of Khamoshi is till date the best music given in the SLB movies. The Film, when I watched in the Video, I was stunned. How come a debutant director makes such a sensitive movie. I decided to watch his next movie, First Day First Show and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam didn’t disappointed me for a single second. I don’t think so the Character of “VANRAJ” could ever disappear from my memories and so is the character of “Nandini”. I don’t think so, After Subhash Ghai and Raj Kumar Santoshi, there is any director who can say the Story so brilliantly.
SLB climbed one more floor when he took the subject of Devdas. I still remember the expression of my face, when I came out of theater near Boston alongwith Rohan, my room mate. We were stunned by the whole experience. But What came after Devdas, was more than a movie experience. I consider, watching a movie “BLACK” was definitely one of the best experience of the life. Watching “BLACK” could be described like, Watching “Taj Mahal” or perhaps “Watching Wimbledon Final” or “Watching a Cricket Test Match @ LORDs” or “Being in Michael Jackson Show”. Black was not phenomenal movie but whole new experience. I wonder what SLB is going to give me next. I think just because, it is a SLB movie, I would be dare to go irrespective of cast.

After Hrithik Roshan came in “Kaho Na Pyar Hai” and Shahid Kapoor in “Ishq Vishq”, there is not much of hype or curiosity created like there is one for Ranbir Kapoor. Ranbir comes from the family that creates enough interest to go and Watch the movie once. I think Sonam reminds me the innocent young face that, Manisha Koirala brought in Saudagar. She has simple yet effective look. She looks graceful enough to sustain the screen presence and certainly holds better future.

Music of the movie is certainly different. It is about 2 hour movie with 8 songs, so I guess all the songs would move the story or have something to say about the story. Title Song is topping the chart and overtaking Om Shanti Om, while Jab Se Tere Naina sung by Shaan is my personal favorite. Especially the song has very valuable use of Chorus which takes the song to the entire new level.

Less you know about the Story of the movie, More It is better. That will motivate the moviegoers to know, what would happen next. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, was more colorful and lot of use of Blue and Green Color in the movie ( be it in the saree or dresses or background or shirts). To Give Old Age Feeling, Devdas was given more Golden Color use. Black as the name suggests had certainly more dark scenes. I am eagerly waiting what sort of treatment Saawariya is going to get.

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Gotto catch some sleep, will edit this post tomorrow..or in the middle of the week…do you people wanna know more???

Team Selection

Australia declared their First Test Match Squad and the SQUAD consists of 13 players unlike India who declared the team of 15 for 2 one dayers against Pakistan.

Australian selection committee has decided who would be the nine out of playing XI. They keep/give the option to the COACH/CAPTAIN to select the last 2 by looking at the pitch. They didn’t selected 4 Openers and said to Ponting that now decide which 2 Openers you feel would bat better in this conditions.

Point is, It is not Ponting’s job to go and find out and look bad by saying, “hey mate, you wont be playing today”. The whole world including those 4 players know in the squad that 9 men are final in the playing XI and 4 are fighting for the last 2 Spots. There is no love-lost situation.

However, If we look at the Indian XI, except, Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Dhoni and Zaheer no one else in the team is sure about them playing in the game.

There is a good chance, that, Ganguly could be dropped, and we may go for, Tendulkar/Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvi, Uthapa and Dhoni.

There is a good chance, that, Sehwag might be dropped, and we may go for, Tendulkar/Ganguly, Gambhir, Yuvi, Uthapa and Dhoni.

There is same true for Uthapa by selecting Rohit Sharma.

Spinners can not say they would be in playing XI. They may say, out of those 2 one of them might be playing or perhaps both might be playing but not sure which one. India can very well opt for 6 Batsmen/1 WK/3 fast bowlers and 1 Spinner.

Zaheer Khan doesn’t know who would be his partner. Whether Dhoni will have enough trust on Sreesanth or RP Singh? Will India go with one front line bowler and 2 All rounders??

There is too much uncertainty. There are too many pieces which are broken. There are too many questions that are revolving. Is dropping dravid a big thing? Not really. India has to find so many other answers first before asking which one of three should be rested.

There is one key job that BCCI had to do in last 2 months was to appoint a COACH, which they still have not done. Instead of that just to compete with ICL, they launched IPL and started putting time and effort on signing different players so that they don’t join ICL. BCCI selectors are doing hopeless job or selecting the uncertain team combination. In fact, I would say, there are not even doing a job. After watching 33 players compete in the Challenger Trophy, they could just identify a single new player, Praveen Kumar? What about Niraj Patel? What about Bose? Why Chawla was not preferred? Why Raina/Badrinath was not replacing middle order Dravid? Why Other players easily opt out from the playing?

Fact is, BCCI is the worst organization and most corrupt one too. I am just glad that ICL is putting too much pressure on them to act on things quickly. I also feel, media should become more and more harsh on every decision of BCCI rather than harsh on players. People’s Union should go and do what they do in front of players houses to the Vengsarkar’s houses. Fact is they selected the 15 player but selection of XI player and the key job was left to Dhoni/Rajput. This makes me wonder, who is doing the Selection? Selectors or Captain only? If the hard job is being done by Captain and Manager then why we are paying to the Selectors, Oops, Why we are paying to the BCCI who in turn after taking significant amount of money in his pocket (Pawar’s Pocket) pays Selectors.

Dish Vs Direct

I am alive and I am back. It has been just couple of weeks since I wrote anything and suddenly I am out of words. There were certainly the numbers of topics that I wanted to express my feelings however time is something which no one has any control over.

Finally, I send out a notice to my Apartment owners that I will be moving out of these apartments by the end of the year. This Apartment was certainly at a comfortable location but without much needed Balcony. Balcony or Patio is such a required thing to get the entertainment and air inside. Unless you have Balcony, You can not put the Dish and if you can not put the Dish, you can not get the Indian TV Channels.

When I was earning 7$ per hour, I was able to spend 20$ to get either Sony TV or B4u or Zee Cinema etc or buy Australia Vs West Indies Cricket series just to see Brian Lara bat. Now, while I earn lot more, and have lot more money in the bank account then those days, I am not in a position to see those Indian Channels or Cricket on Television.

I believe, going to or selecting the new Apartment should be an easy task. All I care is Balcony and decent location. However, there is another tough decision ahead. The battle is in between, Dish TV Vs Direct TV.

Dish TV offers wide variety of Indian Channels where key channels are, SONY, ZEE, AAJTAK, SAHARA, B4U Music, B4U Movies, SET MAX, ZEE Cinema etc.

Direct TV Offers, Star Plus, Star One, Filmy, Cricket Plus, NDTV and Star News.

When, I look back, from last 3 years, the Indian Programs that I have been following are: Indian Idol, Nach Baliye, Laughter Challenge, KBC and Saregamapa.

Now, If I go with Dish TV, I get the ability to see, Indian Idol/CID and other SOAP Opera’s which comes in Sony Entertainment Television. News from India will be covered by AajTak and Headlines Today. There is a music channel called, B4U music which can keep me informative about the various albums coming out in India and new filmy songs. Biggest Advantage of having Dish TV is the 3 big movie channels. Zee Cinema and SET MAX and B4U Movies. At least in one of the Channel, one good movie must be going on 24 hours. I am sure, Dish TV has enough variety to keep me hooked up with Indian Channels and Plus all the Sports HDTV channels will be supplied by Comcast.

However, Direct TV has its own advantages. If Indian Idol and Saregamapa and Zhalak Dikhla Ja is with DISH, Direct has, Nach Baliye and Laughter Challenge and KBC and Cricket. B4U Music can be easily compared with the MTV which is being offered by Direct TV. Star One certainly has better programming then Sony except Indian Idol. They have their own Singing Competition but I am still a fan of Indian Idol. Star Plus is supposed to be the number 1 channel in India and there must be some reason behind it, except the daily Ekta Kapoor Drama Serials.

News Coverage would certainly be better in Direct TV with, NDTV and STAR NEWS would certainly beat AAJTAK and HEADLINES TODAY. However the disadvantage is, having only one Movie Channel called, FILMY compared to 3 that Dish offers. Of course, SAHARA TV and TV ASIA of Dish is as good as DOORDARSHAN of Direct TV. Key Advantage of Direct TV is: CRICKET PLUS, this channel is 24 hour for Cricket (included in the package) unlike Zee Sports offered by Dish for which you have to pay extra 20$.

So, the decision had to be made in about a month or so, whether to go for Direct TV or Dish Network. Any Comments???