Two Films

24 April 2005: Saw Black at home. If it doesn’t get an Oscar for the best foreign film this year, then you can be sure there is some problem with the Academy awards. Black is cinema at its best, and in all departments. I thought Ayesha Kapoor as the young Michelle brilliantly essayed a difficult role, and Rani Mukherjee, who with this has emerged as the best actress in Bollywood, was made for the part. It is Big B, however, who clearly was at his towering best in a performance that is the crowning glory of his illustrious career. I am too overwhelmed to write. My senses are numbed by what I saw. All I can say is this: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, thank you for giving us this film and showing us what truly elevating cinema can be.

23 April 2005: Wrote in search of a poem. Saw Veer-Zaara at home. A tearjerker from the stable of the King of Romance, Yash Chopra, with lyrical cinematography by Anil Mehta and panoramic lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Both SRK and Rani Mukherjee were superb in the film. Though kitschy, I thoroughly enjoyed the fare. Somehow the India-Pak love story always touches a chord.

Paradise and Pope

This is what Aekta wrote about Greenland and Xanadu, two of my recent poems: “Greenland: Very nice :-) And you are right, the icelands are within us. But then so is the power to melt it, and let habitation in. Xanadu: It’s brilliant, but pray tell me, why oh why do men's paradises have always something to do with sex?” About her latter query, when I said: “You tell me”, she responded, perhaps with a hint of mischief: “I guess women are too sexy for their own good. :-)” What do you think? I know my feminist friends would disagree with Aekta’s remark, but seriously why do men’s paradises have always something to do with you-know-what? I was stimulated enough to put my thoughts in free verse. Do check out Paradise. Take a look at my conversation with my daughter, Soven, about this poem:
soven: advice: i know you seem to like your new style of writing but quit writing like that...it gets confusing for the reader...or is that what you want? to make it confusing?
santre: tell me what does the poem say to you?
soven: it’s really cool...you have uncovered all the men! ghost buster behaviour, dude! totally awesome! it tells us about the wile fantasies of man.
Can you imagine she is just 12! Cool, I must say.

The new Pope got elected today. Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany chooses the name Pope Benedict XVI. Saw the historic moment on the telly. Ringing of the papal bells reminded me of the tintinnabulation of the temple bells in Kankhal, a sound I have grown up with.

Honeymoon Rap

Posting some pictures of my beautiful and talented friend, Aarushi, who enjoyed herself on her honeymoon. Of course, these pictures are posted with her permission. Isn’t she pretty? :)


view point flying


cool aarushi


mustard love


be happy

Greenland and other stuff

17 April 2005: Today is Ma’s birthday. I called her up at Ruchi’s place and it was wonderful to talk with her. She sounded happy and I also began to feel light. Happy Birthday, Ma.
India lost the 6th ODI at Delhi without a fight. I think it’s time we look at reinventing our cricket team and get some fresh talent on board. There are lots of Dhonis (hopefully!) waiting in the wings and they deserve a break. We lost the series 2-4 to Pakistan who some thought initially (I also nurtured that feeling for a while) came with their weakest ever team to India. Great show, Pakistan.
Read the news that Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup’s debut novel Q & A is going to be made into a West End musical. Wow!
Saw Mani Ratnam’s Yuva on Zee Cinema. The film is about choices the youth have before them and the road they choose to take. Abhishek Bachchan as Lallan Singh with his cold, seething intensity is outstanding, and my favourite, Ajay Devgan as a student leader, Michael, who chooses to enter politics to change it from within is brilliant as usual. Besides, Om Puri as the archetypal politician couldn’t be better, and Ms. Kareena Kapoor is pretty cool in her small role. I quite liked the film, for it does strive to send the right message across, though Ratnam’s approach to politics looks too simplistic and a bit presumptuous. In real life, it does not happen like this which is a pity, isn’t it?

16 April 2005: Called up T on her mobile. I heard an excited voice. She was at Ego Café and enjoying herself.

15 April 2005: Afridi’s 45-ball century demolished India in the fifth ODI at Kanpur. Wrote Greenland. Saw Antwone Fisher on the telly. It is Denzel Washington’s directorial debut and is based on a true story of an abandoned black kid who rose to a part of US navy but has to carry the baggage of his troubled past with him. Outstanding performance by Derek Luke, a newcomer, in the lead role, and of course, Washington was superb both as a director and an actor. This is what Ebert says about the film: “The story behind the film is extraordinary. Fisher was a security guard at the Sony studio in Hollywood when his screenplay came to the attention of the producers. Denzel Washington was so impressed he chose it for his directorial debut. The newcomer Derek Luke, cast in the crucial central role after dozens of more experienced actors had been auditioned, turned out to be a friend of Antwone's; he didn't tell that to the filmmakers because he thought it would hurt his chances.”

14 April 2005: Wrote Pygmy Country, a poetic parable.

13 April 2005: Wonder what T is up to these days?

12 April 2005: Great fourth ODI at Ahmedabad. Sachin scored his 38th ton, yet India lost. Brilliant rearguard action by Captain Cool Inzy to square up the series, 2-2. Now the last two matches will be fun. Missing Judging Amy. Hope the network has not stopped broadcasting it in India.

Two more Poems

10 April 2005: Wrote two poems again: sad to see a grown up man cry, and revisiting college. Do lemme know what you think of them.

9 April 2005: Inconsistent India lost without a fight to Pakistan in the third ODI. Sad. In the evening, we went for a dinner at Geoffrey’s at the Centrestage Mall at Noida with Salil and Niti. Geoffrey’s was chic and its décor looked even better than the one at Ansal’s Plaza. The footfalls at the mall gave me a fright: so many people! Then we checked out the late night show of Zeher which turned out to be a huge disappointment with gaping holes in its script and poor acting. What is Mahesh Bhatt doing producing such a ‘loser’?

Celebration Time

Syndication gals and Dotcom boys at the Bash

8 April 2005: As targeted our dotcom broke even, and a bash followed last night to celebrate it with the team that had made it possible. Dress code was ‘all black’, for obvious reasons. How did the bash go? It rocked! I came home at 1.30 am this morning. Excerpt from the email I sent to my team today: “It was an outstanding bash on all counts: great bonhomie, super location, pulsating music and non-stop shaking. I am glad everybody enjoyed. It's wonderful to have such a spirited team. Special mention must be made of Sunanda, Sidhi and Salil for perfect execution. And I must say: I am impressed with the Team Syndication. The 17th floor gang is too cool. Proof: dotcom boys preferred to dance with the syndication gals.”

7 April 2005: Bash at Eau at Le Meridien.

Miss Congeniality 2

6 April 2005: Saw the preview of Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous at FDA. Interesting film with some kick ass acting by Sandra Bullock and Regina King. After the film, we went to Agni for some vodka and orange juice. Quite liked the pub, and its female DJ who was playing some lovely numbers. Dinner at good old Nirula’s (at CP) that unfortunately is not maintaining the desired standards.

5 April 2005: Elated on the discovery of a certain Mr. Dhoni from Jharkhand. Good news for Indian cricket.

Two Poems

Wrote poetry as prayer and internet as therapy. Saw The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. A trite sequel that confirmed that sequels have no business to be made in the first place. In the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix, Narain K. couldn’t complete the race due to technical problems with the car, which was such a pity. Saw the finals of the Lakme Fashion House on Star One (have begun to like this channel) and am glad Shahzad Kalim, the lad from Patna backwaters, won the ticket to go to Milan to train with Versace. His bridal fireworks collection was a clincher. I also think in Joby Chacko we have an unusual mind. He has a laidback ‘attitude’ that’s gonna take him places in the high fashion world. I truly enjoyed this reality show.

Fool's Day

Last evening, my daughter suggested that the 'Three Ladies' should be re-titled as 'Three Divas'. My wife protested: "You shouldn't have put the picture on the web". Whaddya say? Btw, have a super Fool's Day.