MTV Nano Drive kick starts

An epic journey, full of adventure starts today. Yes!!! You’ve got it right the MTV Nano Drive, India’s first social road trip throughout the country with four different teams with different adventures and amazing tales to tell. The wait is over, finally. Ahem! Ahem! Personally, I vie for the West Zone-Team Yellow. A cool team composed of Shaheen Ahmed, Arindham, Nikhil and Valentine. Please vote for Team Yellow, gals and guys. It’s a team that surely rocks and will take the nation by storm.

Shaheen Ahmed has been a very good friend mine since our days at Fergusson College, Pune. During her studies, she worked at Pune Times, then moved to Chennai for studies, then worked in the media in Mumbai and pursued her masters in Delhi. Born and brought up in Assam, she is one of the few participants that can boast of having the best of both worlds-Assam, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. She has a terrific adventure to tell the whole of India. Shaheen has worked in the media for years and has an outgoing personality and has the charm to rock the whole world.

The Nano Drive with MTV is a creative and innovative concept that shall unite the youth of the country. What better way to showcase your talent and connect with the smart and urban youth. India’s First Social Road Trip..wow! What better way to know the pulse of the nation, in particular the Indian youth by traveling and exploring the road and it’s a trip indeed. The merit of the social road trip is to help participants gain n exposure what lies beneath the world and not stick to one particular place and help break the social mirror that we human beings tend to create around us. It is very important to break the social walls and barriers.

As Shaheen, says in her video, one should be a bohemian in spirit and there is a keenness on her part to know so much about our country and the people. Life is all about taking risks, isn’t it Shaheen? That’s why I feel Shaheen Ahmed will win the competition and Team Yellow will win. If you are convinced about Team Yellow, just like me, don’t forget to log in on   http://mtv.in.com/drive/ and vote for Shaheen Ahmed, Arindham, Nikhil and Valentine.

Spread the news among your friends.

Cheers for MTV Nano Drive and enjoy the show.

Ab ayega mazaaaa

V

That’s crazy

As I reached office and settled myself, I felt feverish. The body was paining terribly and I felt like an 80-year-old. I attended few events and then another one. I was losing my concentration power and praying that the event gets over soon. I dashed to the chemist and got some pills. Back to office, I made a giant effort to eat. Whenever, I am afflicted with fever, I just can’t eat. But, since I am on medication, I had to swallow the food. I mean it sucks when one has to do that.

Around 5 p.m I received a call from Sameer who wanna to chill out somewhere. Since we hardly meet, he picked me up near office and we decided to hit the disco in the countryside. Gosh!Little did I realized that we are surrounded by the sea and the fever came back..again..ahem! ahem! After checking a few night club, there is the one whose entry is around 250 bucks..quite cheap. We weighed the pros and cons and decided that it might be a really cheap place not worth. The place might be laden with illicit activities-drugs and prostitutes…We decided to give it a miss.

As we were wondering where to go, a chilling sensation run deep down the spine of my body. It felt like I was caught in the middle of the war zone and was hit by a sniper’s missile. Screwed! Fuck dude! I was feeling some cold inside. As the car set on its way towards home which is one hour drive, I was wondering why the fuck the distance is so long. It was the fever and I was freezing. As I reached home, I jumped straight on bed. I had difficulties getting up to have a glass of warm water. Ya! It’s a tale of a brave soul who will go out despite the odds are against him. Adventurer! You bet! I mean that’s crazy, venturing near the beach in a state of fever.

Today, I’m kinda okay, though the temperature is soaring at one point and at the other point is low. Right now, I am feeling normal. I attended the Indian food mela today but all my eating plan has gone for a toss. I gorged on Dahi wada and pav bhaaji and of course paan! Much to my chagrin, I didn’t taste gulab-jamun and jalebi and many more. Guess, got to do wid the fever. I was covering the event and enjoyed it. Met quite a few new people and it’s always nice to meet new people..despite the fever. Guess now,gotta be more and more careful with weather change. I am quite careless..with health stuffs.

Shall sign off now. Tomorrow shall be another beautiful day.

Zindagi rocks.

V

 

 

Only Bachchan can rise above a disjointed script, jerky camera movement

Review: Department

Two stars: extra star goes to Amitabh Bachchan

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Rana Duggabatti, Vijay Raaz, Anjaani Sukhani and Madhu Shalini

Amitabh Bachchan in Department

Nathalie kaur’s sizzling item number, dan dan cheeni

RGV badly needs a break…I am not being mean to the maverick director and he’s one of the few intelligent and technically proficient filmmaker for whom I have lotsa respect. But, after watching Department today, I am like what’s the fuck is wrong with Ramgopal Varma.There is nothing new in Department. Fine, it’s about the cops taking the mafia but it’s the same tried-and-tested formula. RGV, haven’t you given it in brilliant flicks like SHIVA, SATYA, SARKAR, SARKAR RAJ and COMPANY, just to name a few. In a shot, the script is the biggest failure and not to mention experimenting with the camera. It gets too jerky at times and fails to focus on the different characters. Only, the presence of Amitabh Bachchan, in his coarse and rugged body language manages to save the day. He brings the movie alive every time he appears on-screen. Only Bachchan’s electrifying presence can rise above the script. He has done it in the past and he repeated his feat in Department.

Crime is at a high notch in Mumbai and the home ministry decides to create a new Department within the ranks of the police to wipe off the mafia since operating within the force, they will never be able to do so. Department is headed by Sanjay Dutt who calls Rana Duggabatti. They have only one motive, an eye for an eye. Enter, Sarjey Rao Gaikwad, a gangster-turned-politician (Amitabh Bachchan), the most dangerous and machiavellian’s mind.

Amitabh Bachchan with his one-liner is amazingly competent and instill fear in an other wise non-sensical movie. Credit goes to him for rising above the mediocre script, tedious narrative and jerky camera movement. Whether mouthing the mein legally illegal kaam karta hoon or illegally legal kaam,  enlightment or Sheila mix and Sheila remix, he brings a gush of fresh air in the movie. Sanjay Dutt is competent, so is Rana Duggabatti who is an actor to stay. Vijay Raaz is irritating so is Abhimanyu Singh and his babe Madhu Shalini, though she shines at times.

RGV is someone who has successfully experimented with his camera techniques. However, the camera’s jerky movements is too much for the viewers as it doesn’t focus on the characters or the object. It moves too much at a fast pace and there is no standstill shot, which is important for such kind of movies. In short, it jumps from one spot to another. It looks like a digicam was used to shot the main portions of the movie. Too much experimentation can kill the soul of the movie and that is what exactly happened to Department. Moreover, the high-octane action sequences doesn’t fit in and it’s case of copy and paste from some earlier scripts. Though, the action sequence between Dutt and Duggabatti, specially, the climax has been well executed. One good thing: Nathalie Kaur in the item song Dan Dan Cheeni scorches the screen.

Where has the marvelous close up shots of Amitabh Bachchan in Sarkar gone? Simply this time, the digi-cam shots has gone for a toss and it makes one dizzy and leaves the viewer confused as one can easily ask whether the low and high angle shots-a cup of tea, the legs of a woman-are not too much experimental to an irritating level. A case of disjointed script meeting dizzy shots. Skip this one and better watch Sarkar, Rangeela and Raakhta Charitra on DvD.

Book your holiday package fast, Ramu and I suggest going to Bali or  Manali for a break and come back inspired and get real fast. I’m sure you will be back to your Rangeela, Satya and Sarkar days.

Pune (Not the last and final goodbye)

January 9, Monday

As I light up a cigarette on this chilling monday morning in Pune, I wonder why the good things in life gets over so soon. Life was truly awesome since the past 20 days and I experienced the joy of a life time. I revisited the gud ole’ days in the wonderful city..my city..Pune city. I forged a bond with new people and strengthened the existing relationships. Time is running against me as I dunno what time I shall catch the bus towards Mumbai and till now, no staying arrangement has been made in maximum city.

I have some clothes lying with the dry-cleaning guy. A 60-year-old uncle with whom I formed a freindship. People are good in the city and my heart tells me, Vishal why are you fucking leaving the city where you are deriving joy and happiness? Please don’t leave. You can’t get such kind of genuine happiness anywhere in the world. Fuck it off, the practical self tells me: I got work to attend and waise bhi, I won’t stay for long in Mauritius and shall be back in Pune. I rush to pick up my clothes and uncle asks: jaa rahe ho beta? Haan uncle ja raha hoon aaj par permanently shift karoonga aur aap ke liye ek chota sa tohfa. I handed him the token and charged me only 100 bucks which I refused. I give him 50 extra bucks, not without saying that work is work. After all, it’s this man labor and he rightfully deserve the money for getting my clothes washed and ironed. I am touched by his gesture, though.

Post that, I rush to get some xerox done and head towards Fergusson college to meet Chanda. Ayeee! Chanda shall be late and grab the opportunity to go for a walk at Fergusson College (FC), my college. I click some pics there and walk towards the different departments which I frequented. I am happy that got some pics taken at the Economics department, main circle, Amphi Theatre and A-7 classes, among others. Chanda buzz me and I just need to cross the road to our favorite college hang out savera where I met some people, our usual suspects.Yes, the Bwoyz still hang out there for coffee and guess that Savera is so fucking addictive-our batchmates, juniors and seniors. I had to give the xerox version of press cut outs and wrote a small bio of my work and what do I do since Chanda, ma bro is gonna get my networking done in Pune that shall facilitate my re-location for job and all in one and a half years. After that, we clicked pics, had chai and had a ‘sutta’ together. There are certain friendships that stand the test of time.

Time to say bye to annas and the one at the counter and head to Central mall for shopping. There are certain stuffs that need to be bought and the ambiance at the all is sumthing to die for. It leaves a feeling of addiction and pinches my heart. Now, I’m gonna miss d fun for a hellish long time as such places cannot be compared….Of course, the shopping took a long time and before heading to FC, I grab a cutting with sutta. I took a long walk on FC Road and pass by college, I had to do dat..I pass through Abasaheb Garware Bridge which has a major overhaul.Time to buy some other stuffs and remove some cash in a jiffy. I took a rick towards the room and gotta do the packing. It’s such a royal and terrible pain in the ass. I am neva good in packing stuffs and all..So many stuffs and figuring out how to fit them all in the two suitcases. Finally, it’s done and properly locked. I call Meghna and drop to her nice flat to say hi. She suggested that I travel through Prasanna travels to Mumbai coz it takes less time.

I got the bus booking done at 5 p.m and it will take off only at 7.30 and me gotta no choice but to sit at the booking office, smoking and drinking water. Time to sms some friends and say bye. I got a call from Australia and it’s Adi. I told him that I don’t wanna go back to the same old and monotonous life. We spoke on my relocation, opportunities in Pune and Mumbai, relationship-kinda-things and whether he is contemplating to come back to India. As I was boarding the bus, got an sms from Amol, Dude am in the train at Lonavla..coming to Pune in 2 hours can u wait for sometime..told him I wanna wait and be in the city forever par kya karein jaana to padega..he replied tc..dear wanted to say bye..I called him and said….no worry we shall meet agle saal….Time to board the bus.

As the bus moves away from the city, I peep through the window to look at the city where I spent the best days of ma life. I clicked some shots of the city in the dark and what I can see are buillding, lush greeneries. I have only a few hours in Pune and that too in the bus. Chanda messaged me….all  d best and c u soon, my friend..as it is you will be back. These words comforts me and makes me forget for a while that I am leaving the city. I realize that I can’t live anywhere in the world other than Pune.That’s where I belong.

Dil mein thaan rakha hai ke Pune ko chor ke kahin nahin jaaonga.

It’s not the last and final goodbye, my city.

Our gaze shall meet.

We shall be one.

Tis holds true.

When you really want something, the whole universe will conspire to make it happen.

Amen to that!

It happened one fine day.

It will happen again and I’m not too far from that.

Love you my city.

That’s was it..the Pune trip and certainly not the last and final one.

 

Keep Faith N lots of love

V

 

 

 

 

Maa diwas, mera joota hai Hindustani

Happy Mother’s Day folks. Thank maa for being so wonderful and bearing up with an idiot like me. Putting up with my weirdo act, idiosyncrasies as well as my anger. Maa did a lot for me as I look at the period I grew u. I was scolded, punished and taught lessons in life. But, then I guess, mothers in the world show their kids the right path in life. I bow to all the mothers-working mothers, home-makers and so many in different situations in life. I admire moms who sacrifice their careers for their kids and maa is one of them. Then, there are mothers who juggle careers and children at the same time. I mean, it’s amazing and it commands respect. I wished maa today and had no time to buy anything for her coz I am right now in a place where everything is closed on Sunday. Tomorrow, shall buy something for her.

I celebrate Mother’s Day on the same day it is celebrated in India. No matter in which place I reside, I will stick to the Indian calendar coz for the past six years I have lived in a certain way and I am not going for drastic changes. There shall be no compromise on ma lifestyle. I’ve stayed awake till very late during the golden years of life and nothing will change. Period. I completely adhere to the Indian life style and its social mores and dos. There is no need to re-adapt to the new conventions. For certain things, I shall accommodate and adapt to the small place in the world where I now live. But, for most of the things, a big NO. It can get frustrated at times where you have to confine yourself to your ‘home’ since there are not many places to go. Certainly me! A guy who will never stay at home. Neways! I have my daaru at home for company and yeah,office office.

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Mera jhoota hai Hindustani and it’s my favorite Woodlands..A tale of shoes and soles! Today, I wore my favorite and four-year old Woodlands on the way to work. As I got down I started walking for a few miles, I felt something beneath my right foot. Bingo! The sole of my shoes has worn out and was hanging by a thread. Thanks that I was just near to office and actually limped my way to the car who was waiting for me. I was going to cover an event and thankfully, it’s 10-minutes drive away from my house. Requested the driver who actually agreed to do the needful. Dashed home and explained to mom in a jiffy what actually happened. Had time to change my shoes and stormed towards the car and the event. Things actually happened on an otherwise dull Sunday.

Tomorrow, I have an off and the opportunity to down pegs of whisky. It warms the body in an otherwise chilly weather. I was having some snacks and actually lil’ bi of my tooth got broken. Guess, I am got carried away from the song Hadda Haq, all passionate about life and everything that matters. I always end up hurting myself. Kya karein! I am a unique piece by design. Time to say bye now and chal kalti maarta hoon, boss.

I shall leave you all with this powerful quote:

Sometimes you have to stand alone, just to make sure you still can.

Happy Weekend

V

 

Department strikes on May 18

Department strikes next Friday in theatres next to you. Ramgopal Verma’s latest offering marks the Amitabh Bachchan-Sanjay Dutt-Rana Duggabatti combo and promises sparkle this summer. There are lots of talk on Ramu’s muse and discovery Nathalie which will scorch the screen with an item number, Dan Dan Cheeni. The movie is about the police force and is also a test for the Bachchan-Verma’s combo at the box office.

The megastar and the maverick director created magic at the box-office with Sarkar 1&2 and the critically acclaimed Nishabd which portrayed the love story between a 60 year old man and a 16 year old girl. Despite not getting the box office favour, Nishabd was a well made film and the treatment of the subject by the director was intelligent. Varma has been known as someone who explored human relationship with deft, be it Rangeela, Satya or Sarkar for that matter. However, the actor-director duo failed miserably with RGV ki Aag. The forgettable movie can be considered as the biggest mistake in the career of both Amitabh Bachchan and Ramgopal Verma.

So, what makes me think that Department will hit the bull’s eye? Firstly, the Amitabh-Verma has always worked and the maverick director knows how to tap the megastar’s talent. Remember Bachchan close up shots in Sarkar. A technically powerful film coupled with a damn good script and wonderful performance. It’s a tale of godfather meeting Bal Thackeray.

Secondly, Sanjay Dutt and Amitabh Bachchan have this incredible power in terms of chemistry and USP. Two actors of different generations, incredibly talented in their own ways. Both are known as action heroes. It will make fans remember Kaante where both were awesome together. Here, the roles are reversed. Mr Bachchan plays a gangster turned politician while Sanju plays an outright cop. Plus, Rana Daggubatti has proved himself in the forgettable Dum Maaro Dum and is an extremely talented actor. Such a combination cannot go wrong.

Thirdly, RGV is an extremely talented and intelligent director. He has showed his versatility in movies like Shiva, Rangeela, Sarkar 1&2, Nishabd and the amazing Satya. Movies like Department is his forte and it is very rare that he can go wrong in filming such type of movies. It’s about the police, crime and mafia and I have a feeling that Department will stay with us for a very long time. Plus, Sanjay Dutt is reprising an old Amitabh Bachchan famous song in Namak Halal, Thodi si jo peele. According to Dutt, it is a tribute to the megastar.

Department will also portray the grey character in the larger-than-life personas of Bachchan, Dutt and Duggabati and promises chilling and heart-pounding actions. Department aims to show that bad is cool,a ccording to reports and is more real than reel.

Synopsis:

Sarjeroa (Amitabh Bachchan) represents a Machiavellian character whose power lies in his manipulation and deception. Mahadev (Sanjay Dutt) represents an ultra dynamic character whose power lies in his dual personality which he very successfully hides. Shivnarayan (Rana Duggabati) represents a shoot first and talks later kind of a character, whose power lies in obedience to people who he respects.

At cinema theaters next to you, Department strikes on May 18.

If facebook existed in the times of Ramayana..

If facebook existed in the times of Ramayana..

Ram uploads status- “Going on long vacation with babe n bro…B-) “

Kekai likes this;;) !

Comments:

Bharat- Hv fun bro..

Sita- Yipee!!!;;)

Wen raavan abducts sita,

Ram uploads status- “Raavan, u r soo bloody screwed!>:O “

Sita likes this.;;)

Comments:

Raavan- Bring it on dudeB-) !

Hanuman- M wid u bro.. ({}) !

Raavan- screwed off monkey… 3-|

Soon, Ram writes on Sita’s wall- “Dont worry babe, m cming soon.. LOVE U honey… Mmmuuuaaahh:*”

Laxman, Sita n Hanuman like ths!;;) B-)

Sita’s status UPLOAD- “Gawd! No fashion sense here! Every woman luks like a fat monkey!!”3-|

Hanuman likes this!

Comments:

Hanuman- Any1 worth me??

Sita- No hanuman all galz r juz eww!3-|

Raavan- Shut up! Dont say anythng abt my country’s lovely chicks!:*

Sita- lovely LOL..! :]x

After killing Raavan, Ram uploads status- “Yo Ayodhayites, coming bck wid babe;;)  n bro B-) … B prepared cz….I gotta feeling….dat Tonites Gonna b a Good Nite:)