Yeti Blogs - Unmissable & Entertaining

Below are some links that contain writings/ramblings of Sam Kapasi. These are just a few links of blogs he wrote - his travelogues are legendary and his writing style is even more so.

I would suggest to whoever reads this post to click one link and then come back and tell me that I didn't read any further.

Straight from the heart and simple writing but TOTALLY AWESOME & UNMISSABLE.





http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/85271-yetiguide-coffee.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/26351-yetiguide-how-post-proper-english.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/27575-yetiguide-airlines-airports-domestic-air-travel.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/44473-laser-eye-surgery-lasik-discussion.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/48351-yetiblog-love-massage-fireworks-diwali-story.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/38105-yetiholiday-theone-visits-india-first-time.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/50913-yetiblog-dilwale-braut-le-jayenge.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/81233-yeti-writes-car-story-review-skoda-superb.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/114182-yetiblog-weihnachten-2011-und-silvester-2012-a.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/team-bhp-meet-section/22880-team-bhp-sepang-2007-report-almost-blog.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/34927-yetiguide-guide-tattooing.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/87398-yetiblog-weddings-drivings-france-germany-italy-croatia-slovenia.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/66464-yetiblog-yeti-normally_crazy-tata-nano-drive-delhi.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/62250-yetiblog-krash-kourse-kerala.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/99911-yetiblog-greece-wee-bit-germany.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/39050-yetiblog-day-yeti-almost-died-no-pictures-sorry.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadgets-computers-software/41578-yetiblog-mtnl-internet-unforgettable-experience.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/56995-yetiblog-sleepless-europe.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/35811-yetiholiday-christmas-bavaria-repost-dec2007.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/35967-yetiblog-yamaha-rx100-memories.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/75004-yetiblog-snow-germany-rather-blocked-nose.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/40978-yetiholiday-theyeti-theone-activa-very-wet-goa.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street-experiences/54755-yetiblog-munich-my-father-jail.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/42815-yetiholiday-surprise-visit-theone.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/international-automotive-scene/16697-yetis-european-odyssey-begins-again-pg-12-a.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/32285-yetiblog-tales-lost-found-surrendered-airlines.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/international-automotive-scene/34981-bavarian-yeti-works.html

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifting-gears/27031-polite-policeman-partner-yetiblog.html

De-Congesting Mumbai Roads

1) Get rid of all hawkers and extensions of shops/restaurants/cafes on the footpath.

2) Smooth, well lit & fenced in footpaths will encourage pedestrians to walk on them.

3) FOB's and Pedestrian crossings to be marked for use to cross roads. If the pedestrians do not use these, make it very clear to them that the vehicle owner is not responsible in the event of a crash.

4) Escalators / Lifts for the disabled will help too.

5) Relocate all bus stops just after/before signal lights to a better place.

6) Re-locate all auto stands from main roads to by-lanes.

7) Get rid of gaps in the dividers that exist every 50 mts. Bikes, Autos use this to make illegal U-Turns slowing up traffic.

8) Synchronise as many signals as can be done.

9) Buses have to be forced to stop near and close to the stops and not anywhere as they please.

10) Get rid of the Inter-City bus stops that have mushroomed everywhere. Have dedicated places to pick up and drop passengers ( can be sourced to the Bus companies themselves)

11) Get rid of those inter-locking tiles at all junctions - they slow up traffic majorly.

12) Get all Taxis / Autos / Bus drivers to renew their vehicle and driving permits every year.

Movie Review - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

From the time I saw the promos of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (BMB), I have been waiting for the movie to release. I was excited about it. Finally I got to see it last week.

It's the movie based on the real life events of our very own Flying Sikh - Milkha Singh. So does the movie do justice ?

Yes - it does. But it also has it's flaws.

All the actors have done a wonderful job. Farhan Akhtar is tremendous as Milkha Singh - his physical transformation to play Milkha Singh is superb. Pawan Malhotra is one actor with whom Bollywood hasn't done any justice - he should be doing much more work than he is now. Sonam Kapoor has a blink and you miss her role but she looks pretty. Prakash Raj in a positive role was good too. Dalip Tahil as Pandit Nehru did quite well too.

The movie chronicles Milkha Singh's story from the time of partition to when he missed an Olympic medal by a whisker. And gives us a lot of insight into the legendary athlete's life.

But it's too long - 3 hours and 7 minutes. It could have been easily trimmed down by at least 20-25 minutes. 2-3 songs go nowhere and slow down the movie considerably. The nightmare scenes of the partition - were accompanied by LOUD background music and slow mo shots - slowed down the pace though they are an important part in the story.

And I didn't like the ending where it ultimately came down to an Indo-Pak contest but then maybe that's just me. That shouldn't take away anything from the movie though ! It's a very important race in Milkha Singh's life.

The direction is assured and camera work is upto the mark. The title track is really good specially the rock version - other songs are so-so.

Overall - I was pleased - the movie lived up to the expectations created by the trailer.

Verdict - 3/5 - A must watch for sure

A Nation in a hurry...........to ?

You are at a traffic signal waiting for the signal to turn green...next to you bikes and autos and cars squeeze into every possible and available cm of space...slowly inching forward till they are almost across the road...

You are waiting in a queue at a multiplex and are being constantly pushed, jabbed from behind and then a someone slowly slides upto the ticket window and puts his hand in and wants to buy tickets without waiting in the queue...

You are waiting for a lift to visit someone and when the lift arrives everyone rushes in - pushing the people alighting from the lift back in or pulling them roughly outside...

You surely must have noticed the fear in the eyes of those travelers who have to get down at last station of a suburban journey - the fear of being smashed into and thrown back into the train as people simply jump in without any consideration for the alighting passengers...

You buy coupons at a self service restaurant or outlet and go and wait to pick up your stuff, only to notice that people simply barge in and literally shove the receipts into the face of the person on the other side of the counter...

You also must have noticed people run across busy roads in spite of safer avenues like FOB's that are available to cross these busy roads...

You must have noticed people cross railway tracks playing with danger instead of using FOB's.... 

When traffic just stops for a few seconds, bikers simply go the wrong side of the road and drive against the oncoming traffic or they drive on the pavements...

Simply put - Sabko Jaldi hai. We are in a hurry, is the standard response I have got whenever I have tried questioning people.

In a hurry to where ? To grab the PM's seat ?  

We look like we are a Nation in a hurry........to where ?????

I Object - Mr Naseem Khan

I read these article - http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/State-mulls-elevated-road-on-Sion-Mulund-LBS-Road/Article1-766636.aspx and this was reported in the TOI too here - http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-09/mumbai/30377141_1_religious-structures-metro-project-mumbai-metro

Mr Naseem Khan, the guardian minister for Mumbai has made this outrageous and most stupid demand of building an elevated road over the LBS road from Sion to Mulund.

I would like to ask the minister whether he has really been to LBS road to study / watch the hurdles and then decided that an elevated road is the best solution ?

I OBJECT !

I agree that the road is congested and there is hardly place for people to move alongwith the various vehicles plying on the road from morning to night.

A few simple steps will solve a lot of big problems on that road -

1) Get rid of the hawkers on the pavements.

2) Build smooth pavements for people to walk on (no hawkers , no potholes)

3) Fence in the pavement so that people do not spill onto the road.

4) Make FOB's / zebra crossings for people to cross. If they do not use it - and prefer crossing the roads while jay walking, make it clear to them that in case of an accident, the vehicle owner is not responsible.

5) For old people, give them the facility of elevators / lifts on the FOB's.

6) Remove all the auto rickshaw and taxi stands from the LBS road. Shift them to by-lanes.

7) Remove and destroy the illegal extensions of shops that spill over to the footpath / roads.

8) Get the BEST bus drivers to stop at the designated bus stop and not in the middle of the lane.

9) People should also behave like humans and not animals when boarding and alighting the buses. Haven't they heard of a queue system ?

10 ) All the auto rickshaw and taxi stands near the railway stations should have dedicated stands. Any taxi or rickshaw operating out of that should be fined or the vehicle confiscated.

11) Ensure that the traffic cops work to improve the traffic flow and not the money flow to their pockets.

12) If possible, try and synchronise signals to ease traffic pile-up.

13) Ensure that only the authorised / valid auto rickshaw and taxis are allowed to ply.

14) Instill some pride in your work force (BMC, Traffic police, BEST, auto rickshaw drivers, taxi drivers) to work for the betterment of the community - after all it will be beneficial for them too.

These small changes will give you big benefits with a very small amount of people taxes used for these.

Do you have the inclination to do this, Mr Minister ?
Are you ready to let go of the kick backs that you will receive from the elevated road project ?
Are you ready to take the action against the auto rickshaw and taxi drivers who consist of the majority vote bank of your area, Chandivali ?
Are you ready to give in writing under oath that you will ensure the completion of the project in the stipulated time ?
Will you make sure that motorists and people traveling on LBS road during the elevated road construction will not at all be troubled by the construction ?

If you are serious about taking care of this city, I suggest you start with your area.

1) A 50 meter stretch of Nahar Amrit Shakti road is left for concretising for the last 2 years ? can you explain the delay ?? Every morning, there are jams and frustrated people going to work from that junction - what are doing about that ?

2) The ROB to be built over the tracks at Kanjur Marg (on JVLR) is lying incomplete for the last 7 years - why don't you ensure that it is completed in record time - saving a lot of frustration for people traveling on that road morning and evening ?

3) The Auto rickshaw drivers in Chandivali are rude and refuse to ferry passengers for short distances even with tampered meters - what are you doing about this ?

Movie Review - Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

Another movie from the Excel Entertainment team. This time directed by Zoya Akhtar.

Since the time the promos of ZNMD have hit the air, it has been comapred to Farhan Akhtar's DCH. The feel, the look, the male bonding.....this time it was being directed by a woman. I was intrigued - what would it be like ? Another road trip / romance ? Something more maybe ?

Put your doubts to rest - the movie has a feel like DCH but it's not a copy of DCH. It's a mature DCH I say !

The movie is about a road trip that 3 friends undertake before one of them gets married, so it turns out to be his bachelor's party as well. So they head to Spain and start their journey. But there are issues to be sorted on the way. emotions to be unloaded, to be felt, to be experienced, life changing moments, love and men being boys - some really great male bonding and sillyness !

They encounter a few people on their journey who are instrumental in bringing about a change in the 3 distinct characters that they are.

Performances are great - the boys really bond well (Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay) and have loads of fun. Katrina looks like a million bucks and Kalki is good but wasted in a role like this. Abhay Deol walks away with the honours in the acting department while Farhan shows a lot of improvement in the acting department, the way he plays his character and Hrithik is good as usual.

The music is good - more so when watched with the movie progressing. The Tomatina festival song is really good.

The dialogues are funny, not in your face funny but subtle and the male bonding scenes will have you wanting to go silly with your best buds.

The direction is very assured and Spain makes for some very pretty locales and scenes.

Verdict - 3/5. It's a one time watch for sure.

The cons -

I felt the movie was a bit too long, could be trimmed by 20 minutes.

I feel it won't really connect with all the audience but the multiplex audience would surely lap it up.

The life changing moments do not really come across very cleanly - Hrithik's one being the main culprit. (The sky diving sequence is longer and the best - you really want to jump off into thin air and feel free)

Other than that all well.

Another "QUEUE" tale

Yesterday afternoon I walk into HDFC bank in Powai, filled up the pay in slip for cash deposit and went and stood in a queue. There are 3 counters out of which 1 was closed, 1 was handling the cheque deposits only (God only knows why only cheques !) and the 3rd was shut. There were about 10-12 people in the queue.

Now a HDFC bank employee comes and announces that the closed counter is now open and cash deposits can be done here too...a couple of people hear him (including yours truly) and we form a queue at that counter which puts me in 2nd place in the queue.....now the fun starts.

A guy from the previous queue comes and asks the guy in front of me if cash deposits can be made in this queue and on receiving an positive reply....he tells the fellow that he will stand behind him !

I got pissed...and here is the conversation between us,

Me - Hello ? What are you doing ?

Him - I was standing behind him in the earlier queue !

Me - So that gives you the authority to be behind him wherever he goes ? I guess you should be at the end of this queue.

Him - Then I will have to go the previous queue or go to the end of this one.

Me - Yes Einstien, now move !

I mean what kind of chuts are these people ?? I mean the whole country now thinks it can get away with anything or what ? No civic sense at all !!

Movie Review - Delhi Belly

The promos for this movie threw everyone into a tizzy - Bhaag DK Bose rocked the Indian youth and grabbed the nation by it's balls. The movie was being discussed everywhere - good or bad - did not matter. It promised a few laughs and we all were waiting for it to release. It did release this Friday.

The movie is about 3 room-mates and friends , 2 of them who work to-gather, one as a Journalist and the other as his Photographer while the 3rd guy works in an ad agency. The Journalist has a girl friend to whom he is getting married but she is involved in some dangerous activities although unknowingly......how this activity of hers takes these 3 guys through hell and high water and what fate awaits them...is what the movie is all about.

There are a few more characters in the mix - the landlord, the gangster and his cronies, the cops which add up to pretty interesting bunch.

The script is zany and funny and quick. It's pretty solid how things join in at the end....and trust me the dialogues are a riot. The direction and editing add to the fun factor without making the movie tiresome.

The performances are first rate - everyone has done a fab job in the roles assigned to them. The 3 guys Imraan, Vir and Kunaal are very good - the girls fit in well and the odd assortment of other whacky characters are in super form too.

The language of the movie - the dialogues is what will divide the opinion amongst the movie watching junta. The movie is released in 2 versions - Hinglish and Hindi. I happened to watch the Hindi version, which is a dubbed version. The dialogues were as normal as we talk in real life ....a conversation between 3 great buddies is sure to be peppered with words like gandu, bhenchot, gand...et al - and that's the way it is in the movie. No beeps, no cuts - just the way it is. I like.

A lot of people are going to be pissed off with the censors allowing this kind of language for a movie that is aimed squarely at the youth but then those people either live in a bubble or do not want to acknowledge that the youth speak this way. It's their loss

Verdict - 4.5/5 - A full on comedy that grabs your balls and doesn't let go until they are squeezed dry ! :)

Things you will like about the movie -

1) 90 minutes long and no intervals

2) Great Acting, zany screenplay and nifty editing.

3) The language and dialogues.

Things I did not like in the movie -

1) Inspite of working and being pretty well off - the 3 guys live in a real run down home, wonder why ?

2) The Aamir Khan number at the end - people seemed to love this . I hated this - why not have the Bhaag DK Bose video that was specially shot ?? Aamir seems to have gone the SRK way - a BIG thumbs down from me.

The censors have taken a big risk in letting this movie through without cuts - will it start a trend ? Will Bollywood grow out of it's nice clean image that it potrays ? Who the fuck cares ?

For now - Bhaag Bose DK - jaa Delhi Belly dekh aur mast reh.

Miss Perfect Woman » Ekta Khosla

Miss Perfect Woman » Ekta Khosla

Check this out guys ! :)

Super fun times - Team BHP meets

Friends and fun go hand in hand

Hyd to Mum in the vRS

A short edited video of the fun me and Chetan had in the Octavia vRS on our way back from Hyderabad after attending Srikant's wedding

Movie Review - Chalo Dilli

Another small budget movie that was being marketed well everywhere - but the cast of Vinay Pathak and Lara Dutta as lead actors was a factor in the delay to watch the movie.

The movie is all about a cleanliness and hygine freak investment banker from Mumbai (Lara Dutta) and a middle class shop keeper ( Vinay Pathak) from Karol Bagh in New Delhi. Both are on the same flight to Delhi - and Vinay manages to piss off Lara even before he has spoken a word to her.

Then as usual - due to circumstances the flight lands at Jaipur instead of Delhi and Lara is forced to take a cab to Delhi - with a twist of fate, Vinay lands up in the same cab and thus begins their journey.

It's a road movie and you will find glimpses of many movies in this one. The fact that it keeps going and keeps you interested right till the end is a tribute to the writing and the screenplay. And the perfect chemistry between the 2 lead actors.

Lara Dutta has prefectly cast herself as the cleanliness freak and she is in good form too and looks like a million bucks too ;)

Vinay Pathak's character will give you a sense of Deja-Vu when he first appears - you will feel like he is playing his "Bheja Fry" character but you soon get into the groove with him and he shines in this role.

The other supporting cast is also very good.

Thankfully no songs keeps the movie crisp till the very end.

Verdict - 3.75/5 - Highly recommended.

Movie Review - Dum Maro Dum

Another movie that came in with a lot of hype and promotions. Was it worth it ? Yes and No.

The movie is set in Goa and how drugs are taking over the place, a tough cop is called in to clean up the mess. How he goes about doing it - against all odds is what the movie is all about. The script is ok - a couple of twists are nice and save the movie from going the predictable way.

Performances - Ab jr plays the cop again - a corrupt turned honest cop. Though he looks like a cop, he can't carry off the role completely because of his physique and body language and add to the persona the cop starts rapping when the action just starts !

Bipasha Basu is wasted in a small role - she plays a moll to Aditya Panscholi's villian who does a good job but he has been doing this a lot in his career.

Pratiek has a voice thats squeaky and doesn't get him any brownie points but in the context of the movie it works nicely.

Rana Dugubatti makes his debut in Bollywood and it shows - he looks nervous in places and his dialogue delivery isn't the best.

The music is just about tolerable which is a bad thing since the premise had a lot of potential to give us some nice music but Pritam fails here. The Dum Maro Dum song actually looks much much better on screen than on TV but with the kind of lyrics it has - the original song has been murdered.

The actual star of the movie is the cinematographer - the movie is shot beautifully totally making Goa look the way it is - super stuff.

Verdict - 2.5/5. You could watch it one time.

Moral policing

I was chilling with friends outside Gloria coffee in Powai and there was this frisky couple on the seat next to ours . They seemed to be in love or lust - I dont know but a middle aged punjabi woman got pissed off big time.

She started shouting at the girl - chumma chatti kar rahi hai, sharam nahi aati - the couple separated but the lady saved her best for last. Continuing with her rant she said - ghar jaake karo - and quite a few people collapsed in laughter.

But it makes me wonder why she reacted in that manner ? Any pointers people?

SHAADI.COM Tv commercial

My sweetiepie in the ad. :)

LUND caught in compromising position

That should have been the headline of this report !

With all due respect to the the guy and his name - you can't miss the irony in his name.

Mall guards booked for beating up 'indecent' duo - The Times of India

Movie Review - No One Killed Jessica

A movie based on a true incident - killing of a model by a politico's son high on power and money muscle. The murderer almost gets away but public outcry against the verdict aided by intense media pressure and speculation gets justice for the model's family.

The movie has 2 powerful lady actors in Rani Mukherjee and Vidya Balan - comparisions are bound to be made.

Rani plays the fiesty reporter who gets behind the story and sting operations leading to the public out cry against the verdict. Its an author backed role which will get the ceetes and claps and it does. But as a performance I don't think this is her best. She gets to mouth gaalis galore which reminds me of her senseless and useless movies with Bobby Deol where she played the same characters.

Vidya Balan was expected to come out trumps given the character she was playing - the sister of the murdered model - who fights for justice. But her body language was too droopy and one dimensional to give any strength to the character.

Rest of the cast is ok - the mother of the muderer son is gratingly irritating. Characters of the main witness and the owner of the place where the murder take place --- if they actually did what was shown in the movie , they are wimps.

Music is too loud and noisy - ditto with the back ground score.

Editing could have been tighter which would have improved the thriller feel of the movie.

Verdict - 2.5/5. An over hyped movie that isn't really that good.

Saurav Ganguly and the IPL auction

Saurav Ganguly aka Dada was ignored by the 10 franchises who were bidding in the IPL auctions last week. This has apparently caused a lot of heart burn in Kolkatta.

There could be several reasons for Dada going unsold at the auction.

1) He has not played any competitive cricket since the IPL last year.

2) He isn't exactly young and sprightly.

3) Even when he was young, he was not sprightly

4) A lousy fielder

5) A batsman who doesn't like running singles

6) A head strong captain who apparently doesn't see eye to eye with coaches who do not see his point of view

7) A cricketer who abhors training

8) Not a team man if not in-charge

9) Doubtful man management - those who say he managed Yuvraj, Bhajji and the likes in their early stages - also ought to look at the scenario where these guys were starting off in international cricket and would not want to piss the captain off. Let him try and manage Yuvi and Bhajji in today's times.

10) The management didn't want to spend money on a spent force.

But then how the hell did VVS get selected ????? What was thought of the bidders who bought him ?

Fast And Furious 5 (Official Trailer) HD

All of them are back togather - AGAIN !

Looks like fun

RFID credit card theft

Time to start writing again ?

Almost a year now since I wrote something.......I feel it's time I get back to writing.

There have been lots of ups and downs in this last one year....it's been one hell of a roller coaster ride.

Let's see ..... I will try and start writing regularly again.

Movie Review - Blue

Blue

The most expensive film in Bollywood to be made (apparently) is a complete downer. The movie is all about 2 friends and a younger bro of one friends who gets into trouble with the mafia. The only way the debt can be paid back is by finding a treasure that's lying in a drowned ship but the elder bro has some past with the treasure.....and then there is a twist.

Sanjay Dutt looks bored, Akshay has done this a thousand times, Katrina Kaif is wasted and Zayed Khan is his usual useless self. The screen comes sizzling to life with Lara Dutta but sadly she has only that one sensual song and a couple of totally idiotic dialogues :(

The story is a mish mash but the screenplay is pathetic. I have to say though the cinematography is absolutely wonderful and the under water scenes are superbly shot. The action scenes are well executed but the Torque rip off chase had me in splits. Also the twist in the tale is sooooo lame and the heroes find the treasure so calmly and easily - it's unbelievable .

Verdict - 1.5/5. Avoid at any cost.

Movie Review - All the Best

All The Best

I went in expecting a repeat of Golmaal Returns. The movie is similar to Golmaal Returns.

This is about 2 good for nothing friends Ajay and Fardeen, lying to Fardeen's brother Sanjay Dutt to get some pocket money for themselves and their gf's. The surprise is when the brother lands up at the home and thrown in with a few comic characters like a goon played by Johnny Lever etc.

I founf a few jokes to be tired but overall the comic timing fo all 3 lead actors was superb - Ajay Devgan rocks and Sanjay Dutt is competent while Fardeen has improved in the comic scenes. Bipasha Basu is wasted while Mugdha Godse is AWFUL !

The songs suck and the only 2 action scenes are tiresome.


Verdict - 3.5 / 5. It's a loony, no brains required, OTT, silly humour - I loved it. I would say you guys catch it too.

Movie Review - Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahaani

Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani

Watched this movie yesterday and came back with a mild headache.

The production values of this movie are tacky to say the least - in 2009, 80% of the movie is shot on sets !! The songs are shot on outdoor locations.

The story is pretty lame and familiar - a guy falls in love with a orphan girl with her step-mom who is right out of the 80's. The girl loves some one else and how they realise their feelings for each other is the movie.

Ranbir is the heart and soul of the movie - puts in an earnest performance though he goes into his Sawaariya mode where he gets irritating. Overall he pulls off the performance of the movie. Kat is an Christian girl which suits her accent just fine and she looks stunning. Rest of the cast - including Ranbir's friends and support cast are third rate.

There are a few scenes where you will laugh your guts out (the dance sequence where Ranbir is SUPERB) is one of the highlights. The humour is forced and the director has tried to make a Andaz Apna Apna kind of movie (there are references all over in this movie). If you liked AAA, you would either love it this or hate this. I hated this one.

Verdict - 1.5/5

Movie Review - 3 Idiots

3 Idiots

This one is a very nice entertaining laugh riot (for most of the part). It bears the Rajkumar Hirani stamp of direction and that is a good thing.

Aamir and Madhavan play college guys - Aamir pulls it off mostly but Madhavan seems an ill fit in the college role. Sharman is good as usual. Kareena is her Jab We Met self - bubbly.

Yes you will get a feel of different films when you watch this one - Munnabhai, DCH, RDB and then some more.

I had my reservations about how the movie would turn out since it was based / inspired by 5 point someone, which is not a very good book in the first place (too filmy). But Hirani has apparently been inspired to take a few scenes from the book and not the entire book itself, which is a very good thing.

The acting is very good but you get a sense of deja vu. Aamir has done this role many times before as has Sharman Joshi. Madhavan also has done at least one role like this before. Kareena repeats her JWM avtaar. The real hero for me was MR CHATUR - awesome performance from him and the icing on the cake was Boman Irani (though I could relate to his doctor role in Munnabhai a lot).

Music is average, a couple of songs work well on the screen. The college scenes look real.

A lot of cinematic liberty has been taken in the movie and Manmohan Desai type miracles happen too . The climax just fizzles out the whole good feeling of watching a good movie - it's too cheesy and filmy for my liking.

Verdict - 3.5/5. A worthy one time watch with lots of cinematic liberty taken but in the end AAAL IS WELL.

Movie Review - Rann

Rann

If you have watched Sarkar-2 , you pretty much have watched Rann - except the setting that has been shifted to the Tv news reporting field. It's Deja Vu time. The direction is standard RGV as is the camera work (jerky, tight close ups) and the back ground score is SUPER SHRIEKY LOUD.

The movie is only redeemed by some powerful performances lead by AB and Ritiesh Deshmukh .

Verdict - 2/5. If you cannot watch it, you haven't missed much.

Dirty Skoda India's Dirtier Games

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/55796-team-bhp-stands-truth-but-skoda-wants-instigate-team-bhp-its-users-86.html#post1255561

Click on the link above and you will see how Skoda Auto India is trying to terrorize a person who had the guts to stand up to their dirty practises which were hand in glove with their dealer Nummer Eins.

It is simply astounding the lengths MNC's will go to supress the truth.

SHAME ON YOU SKODA INDIA - CHEATERS

Movie Review - Ghajini

A remake of the Tamil movie of the same name which was a rip off of Memento. Same director and same heroine and the same bad guy who were in the Tamil Ghajini.

For me this movie didn't make the cut.

About 40 minutes too long (running time 3 hours 10 minutes) and all bad songs, except gujarish. The songs have a distinct south Indian feel and none of the songs actually deserve to be there in the movie. All they do (apart from increasing the running time) is slow the pace down. A R Rehman's one of the worst albums in recent times, I feel.

The direction is pretty loose for most of the movie and the story (credited to the director) has loop holes as big as footballs. A couple of scenes are well directed but overall the direction is flat. The cinematography shines - be it the songs or the dark action sequences.

The action is raw but very Rajnikantish and that kind of action went out of fashion in the nineties.

Asin makes a pretty ok debut and she is quite funny in the comic scenes, Jiah Khan should pack up now and leave - and the bad guy on whom the movie is named is pretty insipid. Aamir Khan has built a nice body for the role but his acting is pretty average. He hasn't really done anything new in the movie and the tattoos on the body actually come across as gimmicks to get Aamir go shirtless.

Verdict - 2/5. You won't miss much if you do not watch it.

Movie Review - Dasvidaniya

Oh My God !! I am kicking myself for not watching this movie, till now !

Just finished watching the movie - and I had a smile on my lips and tears in my eyes. Such a fantastic movie - simply superb.

Vinay rocks !! I cried with him when he is just about to commit suicide and stood up and laughed with him when he turns the tables on his boss !

It's all about how we take life for granted and do not stop and enjoy it - and when the realisation comes, it's too late. Not everyone gets a chance like Amar Kaul.

Verdict - 4.5/5 You cannot afford to miss this movie.

Movie Review - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

A simple guy working in a 9-5 job gets married to a teen vivacious girl under extreme circumstances. Guy loves girl, girl is heartbroken. Guy loves selflessly and transforms himself into a hep new guy and impresses the girl. So whom does the girl choose ?

SRK as the new Raj is way OTT (the role required him to be OTT but he is way over) and as the simpleton he underplays just a wee bit too much. I would not rate this as his anywhere near his good performances. Anushka makes a nice debut - she doesn't have much to do except look pretty and cry. Vinay as SRK's friend simply rocks as Bobby Khosla.

Music is average and the screenplay is full of holes and every emotion is way OTT.

Verdict - 2/5. Watch only if you are a YRF / SRK fan.

ps - the trailers of Ghajini and New York were screened and they were way better than this 2.5 hour movie. New York looks like a very good movie.

Movie Review - Quantam of Solace

It's an action packed movie but still unlike a Bond movie. There is a mandatory car chase sequence, a parkour sequence, a motor boat chase, an aircraft chase, hand fights but the movie could not hold any attention. It could have been another action movie with any other star in it. Even Olga is just about ok.

Compared to this, the Bourne series is awesome.

Verdict - 2/5

ps - the low audio was a problem where I watched it too.

Movie Review - Dostana

2 friends pretend to be gays to get a house to stay - where stays a hot chick too. both fall in love with her - and her boss arrives to join the party.

Funny in parts - AB is good , John is wooden (acting), Priyanka is hot , Bobby is Bobby. Kiron Kher is her usual OTT self though funny in one scene.

But the usual problem with Bollywood movies comes up again - the movie is a wee bit too long and tends to drag in the 2nd half. 30 minutes could have been easily chopped off.

Locations are yummy and the pink Caddy is droooooooolllllll.

Verdict - 2.5 / 5. Watch it - brainless fun but if gay jokes offend you, be warned.

ps - John has shown almost everything. The movie starts with his Daniel Craig shot (walking out of the sea in yellow shorts and pulling them down)

Movie Review - Dil Kabaddi

2 couples and how infidelity affects them personally. Irfan & Soha are one couple while Rahul Bose and Konkana play the other couple. Rahul Khanna and a new girl are in the mix too.

All 4 leads have done a very good job - with Konkana and Irfan being the stand out performers. Soha surprised me with a very strong performance and Rahul Bose has done these kind of roles quite a few times earlier too, he is competent.

They say the movie is a rip off - Husbands & Wives being the inspiration. I haven't watched the original but I enjoyed this one.

Again the one flaw that stands out, is the length in the 2nd half and the pace (it is slow but slows down further later on). All in all a good watch once for married couples.

Verdict - 3/5

ps - with a title like Dil Kabaddi - I expected a raunchy / vulgar movie stressing on sex but though the movie has a lot on sex in it's mind, it's not raunchy at all.

Airline Reviews

I had a chance to travel to Bengaluru and back on 3 different airlines. here is my experience.


Indigo

Mumbai - Bengaluru @ 2120 hours. I reached the airport around 2045 and was promptly checked in. Had already booked tickets with the seats selected on the website. The female at the counter re-confirmed if I had booked the seats and I said yes.

Flight took off on dot - 2120 we were air borne. Great looking crew and impeccable service coupled with a super clean aircraft made it a great experience. Landed at Bengaluru bang on time - 2250.

The not so good experience was - they gave me row 20 when I had blocked seats on row 6. I did not bother to check as the female asked me whether I had blocked seats so I assummed I would get those seats. And also they do not have cotton that we stuff in the ear - isn't that taking cost cutting a bit too far ?

Verdict - Highly Recommended



Air India (earlier Indian Airlines)

Bengaluru - Mumbai @ 0835. Get a call at 0600 - Sir flight is delayed by 45 minutes. I leave for the airport @ 0715, reach airport around 0825 - pick up the boarding pass and get the security check done with. It's 0850.

Around 0900, I walk up to the staff at the gate and ask them whether the flight is delayed because I have not heard any annoucements for the Mumbai flight. They assure me the ETD is 0930 and they will board at 0915.

Its 1000 and we have not started boarding. The people are getting edgy and restless. 1015 - still nothing, people start raising their voices and we get a feeble response that the aircraft is being cleaned. I look out towards the bay and see the engineers working furiously on the engine. The situation gets more tense with all the people loosing it totally. Abuses fly thick and fast with warnings of getting physical. The airport manager is called in and asked to arrange for putting people in a different airline. They check with Jet and they have 80-100 seats. We are herded back to the check in counter of Jet Airways - get a new boarding pass, pass through security and straight into the aircraft. ETD - 1125 and the flight takes off at 1145 - the delay happens because the checked in luggage has to be transferred from Air India to Jet.

Verdict - Avoid at any cost



Jet Airways

Good service, clean aircrafts and nice looking crew - really good food too.

Verdict - Great



Given a choice between Indigo and Jet - I would go with Indigo because it has cheaper fare

On the flip side - Jet has better connections to different cities.

Movie Review - Transporter 3

Been there, done that. Jason sleepwalks through the movie as does the director. More fight sequences than the car chases and the chases not that interesting too.

Verdict - 2/5

Movie Review - Oye Lucky Lucky Oye

It's an ok movie. Tells the story of Lucky a small time lower middle class sardarji from Delhi who grows up into a thief with a heart of gold. The movie is zingy in the first 30 minutes and then slows down a great deal.

Frankly after a while you are not bothered why these things are happening - the attention to characters and locations is top class and you can connect to the characters immediately - more so if you are from the north.

Abhay Deol is cool - playing Lucky with a calm charisma - rest of the cast is seasoned and perform as per expectations. For me the scene stealer was the young sardar who played Lucky in his younger days - superb performance.

Watch it if you have nothing to do.

Verdict 2.5/5 - Good but not anywhere near great.

???

I am visiting my own space here after 3 months.

I know I was busy with work and stuff and I also know that is no reason not to do something that you wanted to - but that is the truth ! I had no time .......or maybe I did not make time .......

And here I am now....ready to write again but not knowing what to write........a million confused thoughts in my head as if I am going write something for the 1st time...................and it has to be the best. But then again if what you do 1st is your best effort then you can only go downhill from there..............

Damn it .........will write when I am more clear in my bloody head .........it's pretty messed up now..

ciaao

Movie Review - 1920

Another horror flick from Vikram Bhatt after the super successful Raaz. The story is the same old formula of a spirit possessing a body of the female who comes to live in the house. There is a story to the spirit doing that and there are cliches galore in the movie.

The heroine Adah Sharma has to look pretty in the 1st half but when she turns into a woman possessed by a spirit, she is in super duper form. The hero is a model and it shows. The music is so-so.

I must say this - I found this movie a wee bit scarier than Phoonk.

Verdict - 2.5/5 - Time pass movie - nothing great. Catch it if you have nothing to do.

Movie Review - Righteous Kill

With Pacino and De Niro, I expected the movie to be a zinger and it was a ho-hum bore. A few witty dialogues here and there and some solid acting by both super stars (expected) - still cannot hold your attention. The plot is quite like a Bollywood pot boiler with a twist in the end that you can see coming from miles.

Verdict - 2/5 - If you miss it no sweat, catch it on HBO / Star.

Movie Review - Hijack

A very poor confused attempt at copying various Hollywood movies dealing with the same theme and not exciting at all.

Verdict - 0.5/5. Bandal, Bakwaas - Don't even look at the poster.

Movie Review - A Wednesday

The police commissioner of Mumbai gets a call on his mobile from a unknown number telling him of bombs that have been planted all over the city and will go off at a stipulated time unless the commissioner does what the caller says. And thus starts a movie that is entirely gripping and thrilling. The police have to find out who this caller is before it's too late. Do they ?

2 of India's finest actors - (Anupam Kher plays the police commissioner and Naseeruddin Shah the caller) - are in simply SUPERB form. And it's an absolute treat to watch both of them. Even the support cast is in fine form - Jimmy Shergill and Aamir bashir as the upright cops are very good. The only sore point is Deepal Shaw as the TV reporter.

The movie delivers a message and does it very nicely as well.

Verdict - 4/5. Do not miss this.

ps - This is the 3rd movie by UTV that has impressed me. Aamir, Mumbai Meri Jaan and now this. Way to go UTV.

Movie Review - Rock On

I saw Rock On today - afternoon show and the movie rocked.

Immediately you will remember the characters from DCH. Farhan is Aamir, Arjun is Akshay, Purab is Saif and Luke Kenny plays Dimple :D

Its all about 4 rockers who win a competition and get a contract. A small misunderstanding and all goes wrong. Its a movie about friendship and relationships and how small things can cause rifts.

After 10 years, they get back to gather but can they turn on the magik again?

Casting is perfect and all the 4 guys look the part. Acting wise Farhan Akhtar makes a very good debut. I did not expect him to do as well as he did. Purab is the funny man and he is first class. Luke Kenny is fine and Arjun Rampal carries a forlon expression through out the movie but watch him make an entry in the climax (rocking). Prachi Desai makes her debut and has nothing much to do but look cute and happy. Arjun's wife is super as the girl friend turned wife who keeps nagging Arjun.

A movie like this should have music that complements the mood and Rock On scores high on this point. The songs might not connect when you hear but watch them in the movie is a different experience. Simply Superb.

The cinematography is absolutely superb and direction is well in control too. The movie is slow and has its own pace and in the 2nd half there are 10 minutes that can easily be chopped off. But a movie like this needs the pace to develop.

A DCH this is not but it's right up there close.

Verdict - 3.75/5. Watch it - it will take you back straight to your college days.

Movie Review - Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam

We 3 friends decided to go and watch this one and all 3 of us had heard bad reviews of this one. We all were skeptical,yet we decided to try it out.

So we walk into the theatre and settle down. The movie unfolds and we start laughing and we keep laughing through the movie. It's a silly movie that is trying to be silly, not cool. And thats what was fun.

Add to that the HOT Mallika Sherawat. In 2 songs the screen almost went up in smoke - she is lavicious. Paresh Rawal and an assortment of actors that look, act silly and the even sillier gags kept the movie going. The only sore point - Rahul Bose and his stiff acting.

It's all about a theater group and a RAW agent who gets involved with the wife of the lead actor of the theater group. And he has to save the country from the baddies too, for which, he asks help from this flop theater group.

Inane jokes, silly humour - the movie has everything that will not work BUT it worked for us. We have never laughed so much in a movie. The actors were all so brilliant, even in the most idiotic of scenes - it was a treat.

Verdict - 4/5. That is an unanimous verdict by the 3 of us. It is a very silly movie - period. Do not expect the earth and the moon, keep your thinking cap at home and you will laugh away.

Jab..............................

Movie Review - Mumbai Meri Jaan

5 people - (a hawaldar on the verge of retirement, a tv reporter, a night time coffee vendor, a executive who is worried about the environment and a guy who has anti-muslim feelings) - and how they are affected in different ways after the train blasts in Mumbai on 11th July.

The movie is very real and confidently directed by a 1st time Hindi movie director (This guy had directed the Marathi movie - Dombivili Fast - earlier). Though it deals with a sensitive subject, it manages not to get into a preachy / documentary mode. The casting is spot on and the performances are brilliant. Irfan Khan and Kay Kay stand out with Paresh Rawal, after a long time, is back with a stand out performance. Vijay Maurya plays a rookie cop (angry one) because he has had to cancel his honeymoon due to the blasts is first class too.The ending with Kay Kay's story, I found a bit cheesy. Paresh Rawal when he gives his farrewell speech is SUPERB.

Verdict - 3.75/5. Do not miss this.

Movie Review - Phoonk

It's deja-vu time.If you have watched Bhoot and Vastu-Shastra from RGV, this one feels and looks the same. It's even directed in the same way and shot in the same way. Heck, even the back ground score is soo familiar.

It's all about a builder who finds out that his husband-wife partner duo have been cheating him and promptly shows them the door. The wife then casts a spell on the daughter of the builder. It comes down in the end to a battle between the modern scientific way and the old school baba way to fight the situation. Who succeeds ? Watch the movie.

Verdict - 1.5/5 - You could easily miss this.

Kodak Moments

Reached home yesterday and put the TV on. Switched to NDTV and saw that Bolt had won the 200 meters dash in the Olympics with a WR. Since NDTV was not showing footage then, I switched to UTV news.

A sikh gentleman was sitting and talking about Bolt and I quote -

"Awesome performance from Bolt - he has won 2 Golds for Jamaica and most probably will win the 3rd when he runs with the 4x100 meter relay with the Jamaica team. In the next Olympics in 2012, Bolt should try for 5 Golds"

That was a Kodak Moment No. 1. We can sit and advice a winner of 2 Gold medals how to go about his job but cannot improve our own atheletes ??


I switched to Star News and the anchor was going on and on - "Bolt ne jeeta gold" Suddenly I heard a voice from the clippings talking about dis-qualifying an American runner for crossing the track and the anchor thought he had heard a scoop and he started going ballistic -

"Yahan disqualify karne ke baat ho rahi hai - kya Bolt ne galti ki aur unhe disqualify kar diya jayega ? Bolt ho sakte hain disqualify" And he went on with the same line for the next 5 minutes. I changed the channel to DD Sports to check what actually happened and came to know that another runner was disqualified. Switched back to Star News and the anchor was going -

"Bolt ne baazi maari "

Kodak Moment No. 2

Movie Review - Bachna Aee Haseeno

A story of a guy who falls in love with 3 different females at different times in his life. While he dumps the first 2 , the 3rd girl dumps him. And then he feels the pain caused and decides to seek forgiveness of those 2 girls he dumped.

An absolutely breezy 1st half with a super slow 2nd half. All the actors have performed well. Ranbir has to carry the movie on himself and he does it quite well.
Bipasha and Deepika look good while Minisha is cute (I loved her track more than the other 2).

A couple of songs - Ahista Ahista and Khuda Jaane are very good. The rest are bad.

The movie could have been 30 mins shorter and I would have given it a 3.5. It's got fantastic locales and camerawork is good. Direction looses the grip a bit in the 2nd half.

Verdict - 2.5/5. You will love the 1st half and want the 2nd to be over asap.

Movie Review - SIngh is Kinng

Singh is Kinng

Hmm - where do I start ? A movie with the story as thin as the "I" in Kinng with emotional comedy dramatic scenes and songs shot on exotic locales. Confused ?

Even the director was I feel !

Story is all about this OTT do gooder who goes to Ozzie land to get back a sardar turned underworld king who hails from his village. As is the norm he has to meet a girl whom he falls in love with and also by a twist of fate lands up in the chair of the underworld king..

Have you seen Namaste London ? If yes - don't bother watching this. It's 70 % of NL.

Akshay is good in the movie and Katrina is RAVISHING. The support cast is good.

Music - the title track wowed me - I hated the song when it played on TV but when I saw it in the hall - WOW ! Other than this all songs were ok - Snoop Dogg video was not upto the mark, music was fun.


The best scene in the movie - when all the guys use the wheel chair don to get their drinks and munching - I was rolling watching that - Hilarious.

Verdict - 2/5. If you guys miss this, don't worry you haven't missed much.

ps - the movie left me wondering why Sardars ? If it was a Christian, Hindu or a Muslim - the movie would still be the same.

Maybe the audience the producer is aiming at is the NRI punjabi crowd. And with Akshay in the movie playing a sardar, overseas success of this movie is going to be HUGE.

Movie Review - Ugly aur Pagli

It's all about a meek guy who allows himself to be dominated by a tough girl whose life he saves only because he falls in love with her. What he does not know is the real reason behind her behaviour.

Ranvir and Mallika do a competent job but the movie simply slows down to a crawl in the 2nd half. It is funny in places and Ranvir manages to actually raise a few laughs in the most inane of scenes.

Music is so-so but there is this one song where everyone in the theatre was :DROOOOL:

Verdict - 2/5. Watch it if you have nothing else to do.

ps - I loved Sushmita Mukherji as Mallika's mom. For me, her performance was the highlight of the movie and she has a total of 3 scenes only.

The Missing Chappal

C - "Light up, why are you taking so much time?"
S - "Arre, ruk"
G - "Fast guys"
S - "Tu ruk"

Chack, Chack, Phuuuusssss - the match lit up.

The hand holding the match rose up to meet the cigarette lodged in the mouth. Pretty innocuous action - not really, when the cigarette is filled up with grass and the person lighting it is already a couple of beers down.

Anyways, puffs are taken and the cigarette disappears faster than the Sensex falls these days.

C - "Let's go for a drive !"
G - "At this time ? Where ? Why don't you guys go home and chill ? It's 2330 hours already"
C - "No, we want to go for a drive !"
Arguing with 2 guys high on beer and grass is ......well.....pretty useless.
G - "Chalo - let's go, but where ?"
C - "Palm Beach road, it's new and there will be less traffic at this hour"
G - "Ok"

Everyone jumps into the Silver Santro. G was and is the designated driver. S jumps into the front passenger seat and C gets into the back seat.

C - "Metallica chalu kar"
S - "Nahin, let's listen to some slow music now"
G - "Let's put on Bollywood"
C - "Chutiye, grass marke Bollywood sunega? Nikal yahan se"

All 3 start laughing and as usual C gets his way.

ENTER NIGHT, EXIT LIGHT !!

Soon they are cruising on Palm beach road. As a small bridge approaches,
C - "Bridge pe rok de"
G - "Why?"
C - "Cigarette marni hai"

The Santro halts on the bridge. All 3 get down and as is customary peek down to see what's under the bridge. At 2345 hours all they see is darkness but their noses are assaulted with different kinds of smell.

S lights up and all 3 drag away.

S - "Let's do a hi-speed run to the NRI complex"
G - (grinning) - "Chalo"
C - "S, I am sitting in the front"
S - "No ways"
C - "You sat till here na, now let me sit in front"
S - "No"

Both run to front door and C gets there first but is unable to get in. He is held back by S, a professional boxer in his college days. S muscles his way into the front seat leaving a sullen C to sit in the back.

G - "Both of you fasten your seatbelts, else we are not moving"
C & S do as instructed.

Vroom, vroom - the revs rise and as the rev counter hits 3000 RPM, G lets go the clutch.

Screeeeeeecccccccchhhhhhhhhhhh - the Santro takes off leaving a cloud of dust in it's wake. It is close to midnight and traffic is sparse.

Soon they approach 100 kmph.

S - "G kya kar raha hai?"
G - "Kya hua?"
S - "Itna fast?"
G - "130 kmph now"
S - "Fuck, I feel like I am on a plane taxing on the runaway before take off"

G & C dissolve into laughter.

G - "It's 140 kmph"
S puts his head between his knees and closes his eyes.

Before they know - they are at the NRI Complex.

C hops in to the front seat and S is only too glad to get in to the back seat. Off they go again and within 3 minutes they enter Vashi.

C - "Grass ka side effect hai re. I am hungry, lets get something to eat"
G - "Ok, there is this bhurji wala and chai wala near the Fire Brigade station"
S - "Chalo"

They pull up to the bhurji wala. The time is 0010 hours.

C & G hop out and order for bhurjis and tea. Suddenly they realise S is not getting out. They yank open the door and S is lying down on the seat.

G - "Kya hua?"
S - "Fuck man it felt like a aeroplane."

C and G laugh and pull S out of the car.

S - "let me wear my chappals"

After 30 seconds, S gets out - "I can't find my chappals"
"Arre, it must have been shifted during the fast run, check again"
S - "Nahin hai"
C - "WTF - andha hogaya hai kya?"

All 3 search but the chappal is missing. It's not in the car.

S - "I can't go home bare feet. I need to find the chappal !!"
"Did you have the chappal on in the car?"
"Yes"
"Let's eat and then we will think what to do"

They wolf down tasty bhurji complemented with special cutting chai topped off with a Classic Milds.

"Chalo - let's find the missing chappals"

We decide to trace our steps backwards. The last stop before we halted at the bhurji wala was the bridge on Palm Beach road. We drive down to that bridge.

S is tense and missing his chappals.

As soon as the car halts on the bridge, he jumps out.

Before anyone else could get down from the car, S triumphantly yells - "I GOT THE CHAPPALS"

We get down and give him taaplis on his head - "Why the hell do you have to remove your chappals on the road ?"

Sadly, S has not been able to answer that question till today, 7 years after the incident.

But this is a memorable moment in the lives of C, S & G. And I just wanted to share it.

Movie Review - Money Hai toh Honey Hai

Verdict - I just couldn't get myself to go and watch this movie (although I am a Govinda fan)

A Scary Moment

Driving back from work today evening, I am at the Panjra Pool signal in Chembur going towards Sion. The signal turns green and I take off since the traffic is light. Just about 200 meters ahead is a police road block. There is a ST bus to my right and I know he is going to swerve wildly to his left to go through the barrier - so I honk and flash my lights to make him aware of my presence to his left.

Then it happens - a traffic cop signals me to pull over. I do so and park the car and down the window glass on the passenger side. 2 cops come, look inside thoroughly. One asks for my license. As I proceed to open my wallet and search my license in the wallet, one asks me - "Where do you work?"

And I say "Navi Mumbai".

The expression on both the cop's faces change and I realise what I have just said.

I add - "Thane Belapur Road" but the look on the cops faces makes my hair stand.

"Aap ke paas card hai ?" - one asks

"Haan hai." - I reply and quickly fish out my visiting card.

Both have a thorough look and hand the card back to me.

"Aap Jaao"

"Thank You" - I mutter and move away.

Movie Review - Mission Istanbul

Mission Instanbul

A top Indian journalist takes up a lucrative posting in an Instanbul TV channel, famous for showing terrorist activites. All the previous journalist have died under mysterious circumstances when they tried to leave the channel.

Suddenly an ex-Turkish Army commando warns the Indian journalist that he may be the next target. And from then on it's action.

Scenes have been copied from numerous Hollywood movies - one roof top chase is straight out of the The Bourne Ultimatum.

The Scorpio has been used extensively in the movie (LHD) as has Mountain Dew - making an unwanted appearance at the wrong time.

Zayed Khan plays the Indian journalist and is hamming and overacting through out . How he has still survived this industry is a mystery.

Vivek Oberoi plays the ex-commando. His is a crowd pleasing role and he goes at it with so much gusto that he looks like a model walking the ramp instead of an commando. Everything is so easy for him.

The 2 girls - blink and you will miss them.

2 villians - Nikitin from Jodha Akbar and Shabbir from the Balaji camp - overact .


Music is so-so with the "World hold On" being mutilated beyond repair.

Verdict - 1.5/5. Miss it.

ps - the 1 star is for showing George Bush in an hilarious avtaar.

Hi, Domino's Pizza - We SUCK !

Felt like having a pizza. Called up Domino's, Chembur branch, on 25298383.

Tring Tring.

Hi, Domino's Pizza.
Hi. What's the smallest size of Pizza you guys have ?
7 inch.
Ok, what options do I have in non vegetarian. Mutton is preferred.
Spicy or non spicy ?
Spicy.
Mexican chicken and red chicken something.
Nothing in mutton?
Kheema mutton.
I want a 7 inch kheema mutton.
Ok sir, your phone number.

The drama of taking down my phone number and address started. Finished.

Sir, today no time limit. your delivery might be late.
Why ????
Too much of rush.
People order Domino's only because they deliver in 30 minutes.
Yes Sir.
Then ?
Today rush Sir.
Is there a clause that Domino's will not deliver in 30 minutes if there is rush?
No Sir.
Then?
Today rush Sir.
Cancel my order if you cannot deliver in 30 minutes. I am paying you for that right ?
Ok Sir. Order cancelled.

Click.

Fear Factor !

Yes, I am talking about this new show on a new TV channel - Colors.

It is a show based on an international format where the selected participants are made to do stunts with various difficulties thrown in.

This time the show is hosted by Akshay Kumar. He is known for his dare devil stunts that he performs (or rather used to) in his movies. The channel got the casting of the host spot on.

The participants selected were all ladies / girls / females. All of them somewhere famous in their own right ranging from Ex-Supermodels to current Supermodels to TV actors to failed Bollywood actors to item girls. Good faces to look at. Each of them have an ex-army guy as a partner for the show.

The 1st episode kicked off with a stunt where the girls had to jump off a moving helicopter into a lake and land in between the specified colored area. And I was actually quite shocked to see these girls do that pretty well. And then they moved onto the next stunt.

This stunt comprised of plucking out the maximum number of fruits from a glass tank filled with water with your mouth. Sounds easy, right ? Not when the tank was filled up with creepy, slimy snakes of different shapes, sizes,colors, thickness - YUCK YUCK YUCK.

I would have never done something like that for any thing in the world. But all these girls tried and a lot of them did pretty well too.

I was shocked, well and truly shocked ! Never expected these pretty girls to even try something like this. I was impressed.

The 2nd episode that aired yesterday consisted of a stunt where a few African spiders were released over the faces of the girls and their hands were tied. They had to pull out the correct key from many keys hanging in front of them, with their mouth and unlock themeselves.

The 2nd stunt of the 2nd episode was climbing right to the top, near the roof of a building and then walking across the walls on a thin ledge with vaccum holders in their hands. Awesome and really thrilling.

Again, never expected these girls to do it so well. Kudos to them.

Akshay Kumar does well as the host egging the participants on and cracking jokes. The roles of the ex-army partners is still not clear to me though.

I am hooked and am waiting for the 3rd episode tonight @ 10 on Colors.

I suggest you guys give it a view over once. It is fun.

The Drama of Politics

Me and a friend walked in to a bar to grab a few beers yesterday

What were we to know that 4 people in starched white shirts / trousers with matching shoes would turn our trip into a fun filled one.

For a change the TV at the bar was tuned into DD-Lok Sabha (can you fucking believe that ?) A TV set in a bar screening Lok Sabha !!


And these 4 guys were the ones in charge of what played on TV and what played at Delhi.

They were restless when the Trust vote was taking place.

"Why is it taking so long ?"
"What is happening"
"You think the Govt will survive?

Yes, normal questions the nation was asking for the last week suddenly had a very tense and tight feel ! Never before had such a innocent question created so much tension that could be cut with a knife before the answer was given and was no proper or correct answer to that question !

The TV was broadcasting images from the parliament and it was actually quite nice to see the MP's at their best behaviour. Yes - they were simply shouting and screaming - all 500 odd present in the hall and at the same time. Was much better than watch them try and hit each other with chairs - thats why the best behaviour comment.

And I could feel the tension in the 4 guys in sitting in Mumbai when the time came closer. One refused to go and take a leak, lest he misses the verdict. Another refused to sip his whisky till the screen flashed the result.

This was turning out to be a great trip for us.

Finally the result was flashed and the Govt survived.

All the 4 cheered heartily and toasted to he Govt's success. The clinking of whisky glasses was heard followed by a couple of guys rushing to releive their bladders.

The result was being re-confirmed and when it was finally concluded that the Govt had indeed won - these 4 guys had a smirk that was larger than the one on Amar Singh's face.

Finally the DD-Lok Sabha channel rolled the credits and the show was over. These 4 guys felt as proud as the PM / Sonia Gandhi in Delhi for fashioning the Govt's victory.

"Finally it's over" I told my friend, "Let me ask the waiter to change the channel to ESPN."

As I lifted my hand to grab the waiters attention, one of the 4 guys yelled to the waiter "Chalo Khatam, Abhi NDTV laga."

Politics - I tell you !

Shop or Shade ?

At Diamond Garden, in Chembur, there is this mall coming up. It's being developed by the Raheja's. Right next to it is a temple. And in front of the mall is a bus stop that is covered by large trees. The mall is not yet complete but............

The trees in front have been brutally cut so that the mall gets more visibility.

I guess people who need to shop inside are more important than the ones waiting for a bus in the cool shade of the trees on a hot day.

Anyone know where I can forward this complaint ?

JAM-K - The Rapping Gangsta from Bollywood

JAM-K

This character from the movie - Bombay to Bangkok (directed by Nagesh Kukunoor) - had me in splits. Yesterday, I was watching the movie for the 2nd time and JAM-K (played by Vijay Maurya) is simply downright hilarious as the Gansta who loves to rap. Just watch his scenes in the you tube link below and you will understand what I am saying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2xBbr6nWwE

Enjoy !

Sunday

The last thing I remember when I went to sleep yesterday night was that Tomorrow is Sunday - Yippee.

I wake up at 6 am and furiously brush my teeth. A cold glass of milk is downed fast. I get into my shorts and T-shirt and tie up the shoe lace. Walk to the door and on the way, pick up my tennis racquet. The tennis courts are about 4 minutes away from where I live. I start jogging in a bid to warm up. I see a couple of people already on the courts and join them. We will play doubles today. The teams are selected and I am to serve. I get into position at the service line and toss the ball up. I see the Wimbledon scoreboard from the corner of my eye and the crowd sitting quitely. THWACK !

Fifteen - Love , Becker. The crowd erupts. I pump my fist.

Yaay - it was an ace.

The next 2 hours fly by with the only words being - thirty / forty , duece, advantage punctuated by noises like thwack.

It's 8-30 am and I am sweating like a pig. I say my goodbyes and walk home. Mom pushes me straight into the bathroom and I have a lovely cold shower. There is a smile on my face and a song in my heart.

I walk out of the bathroom and get into fresh clothes. Hot breakfast is served and I quickly gobble it up. Time to stretch out in front of the TV. Heck it's "MAHABHARAT" time.

The serials get over at noon and I still have a couple of hours to kill before lunch. Out I walk into the verendah and pick up the cricket bat lying there alongwith the ball. Our house had a big compound and we (my bro and me) used to play underarm cricket. We start off and get totally immersed in the game.

156-2 - David Boon on 67 and Allan Border on 23. Ravi Shastri bowling to Boon. Shastri tosses one up and Boon goes forward - "Gautam" - Boon plays down the wrong line and is clean bowled.

MOM - why did you have to shout when I was playing a shot ???????

We call for lunch break and Simon O Donell will join Border to continue the Aussie innings after the lunch break. (Did I tell you - our lunch breaks could extend from 30 minutes to 24 hours.)

After a heavy lunch, I (as Shastri) was in no mood to go and bowl to Border and O'Donell so I decide to catch 40 winks. Mom is happy that we ain't playing in the hot sun.

It's 3-00 pm and the fan is whirring full speed. I pull the bedsheet over me, the decide to cover the whole of myself with the bedsheet. I wait for things to settle down for 10 minutes and when I am sure there is no movement and all are asleep - I very quietly put my hand down and under my bed and pull out the latest edition of the "Ghost Who Walks" series. Cover my head and gobble up the whole comic strip.

It's already 4-15 pm. I get up, wash my face and dad prepares tea in the meantime. I get into another pair of shorts and T-shirt, put on my keds and in 15 minutes am at the ground. I see all my friends have already started kicking ball. I join then and for the next 1 hour - I am transformed into paul Gascoigne - I deliver pin point passes, control the pace and feed our strikers - England wins the game 3-0 of which 2 goals were scored on my passes.

It's 5-30 pm and I see a few of my cricket fanatic friends selecting their teams for a 12 over one day match. I rush towards them and am selected in one team. My job today is to keep wickets. After 45 minutes, it's our turn to bat and we have to chase 67 in 12 overs.

It's 6-20 pm, when I am asked to open the innings with another friend. I take guard first. It's actually twilight and dimming fast. The opposition have 3 fast bowlers. Then it hits me - I have been made a scapegoat. I have to go and face 3 fast bowlers in fading light, that when they will be at their fastest best. Damn !!!

I decide not to buckle down and a determination to win against all odds takes over me.

Right arm over the wicket, calls the umpire.

I see a tall guy hurtling down towards me, his face looking menacing. He reaches the umpire, leaps and bowls, Thack. Backfoot defensive shot - right in the centre of the bat. That felt good.

I feel we have a good chance but in the next 4 overs we reach 12 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. I am standing at the non strikers end - my contribution being 1 run.

In walks a player we just took in our team as we were not getting 11 players. And he proceeds to play a blinding innings. We reach 72-5 in 10.4 overs and I end up with 7 not out. Rest of the runs scored by a guy batting with me whose name I did not know.

It's 7-10 pm and dark now. My friend Vinay picks me up from the ground and we proceed to the badminton court. Have fun smashing shuttles and making Vinay run for 30 minutes. Soon he tires and asks me to play table tennis instead. I agree and we have a ball playing table tennis for the next half an hour.

Soon I am tired. Walk back home and again I am asked to proceed straight to the shower. Have a nice hot bath and get into fresh clothes and plonk myself in front of the TV. Have dinner and go straight to bed.

As soon as I hit the sack, I am asleep. I have to be at the tennis courts at 630 am tomorrow.

"Gautam, wake up - it's 8 o clock"
I sit up straight with a jolt - "8 o'clock - noooo I am late"
I jump out of bed and rush to brush my teeth.
While brushing I notice a stubble. Damn No - I don't want to shave now, I am already late and besides I can go to work in a stubbble today, after all it's Sunday.

WORK ???? ON A SUNDAY ??

Sigh - I remember it is 2008.

What the fuck - 3

Just read in the papers today morning - that, Abhijeet, the famous singer has been sacked as a judge on some reality singing show on Zee TV.

His fault ?

He refused to judge a show when the Zee TV production guys called in a Pakistani singer as a wild card.

Abhijeet said - The show had Indian participants and why does a pakistani singer have to come and perform and maybe, even win the title of the winner of Indian ..............show.

And he is DAMN RIGHT. I support him fully.

On one hand the Pak govt. refuses visa for our singer Rabbi when he wanted to go and perform in Pakistan and here we are - calling shithole singers from Pakistan to come and participate in Indian shows.

Another controversy is in some other show with Himesh, Shankar Mahadevan et all as judges. It's an show where people from various countries will be selected to train under these judges. One Pakistani female refused to say "Har Har Mahadev" when it was the anthem of the team.

Why the FUCK do we tolerate this shit ? WHY ?

We need more people like Abhijeet.

Movie Review - The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

Verdict - 4/5. Mindblowingly awesome movie. NOT TO BE MISSED.

Everyone knows the story - good v/s evil, Batman v/s the Joker - so I won't say much.

Heath Ledger as the Joker is SIMPLY OUTSTANDING. What a performance ! What a superb performance ! Watch his mannerisms (the tongue flicking and lciking his scars) - AWESOME.

The action is good and fast and the background score - I am in love with it. It complemented the whole mood of the movie so beautifully. The direction and the support cast do well too.

Some action sequences - like the one where batman topples the trailer and flips his bike had the audience - whistling / clapping and cheering.

Go and watch this. And Heath Ledger - take a bow !

Movie Review - Kismat Konnection

Kismat Konnection

Story is about a out of work and out of luck college topper. Nothing goes right for him and he dials a fortune teller in desperation, who, tells him that, he has his lucky charm and has to find it. The lucky charm turns out to be a girl with whom he cannot see eye to eye and then......

Shahid looks and acts good. Direction is good not spectacular. Music is rocking, I really love the songs. The minus point and it's the biggest negative of the movie - is Vidya Balan.

She look older to Shahid and her dress designer gave her the most atrocious dresses in the movie which helped her look older.

Verdict - 2.5/5. Watchable once, a typical feel good movie though predictable most of the time.

Dil, Dosti aur kya kya - 2

This time I write about my friend "S". No, not sex.

S - The 1st time I met him - he was in this formal shirt and trouser (which I could not connect to then). I remember we both ended up searching something for a common friend though we met for the 1st time. I knew then this guy was a helpful guy.

Since he was in the IT industry, it was strange to see him come back home at 1830 hours daily. I used to wonder whether he actually worked (since I was under the impression that IT guys worked pretty late).

We met on and off and since he lived bang opposite to my building, it was obvious we were to become good friends. He was also the elder son in the family (like C) and he has completely lived up to his family's expectations. His parents, brother and sister - all are settled in life and he has played a major part in their lives being settled.

He is married, C is not. And marriage has changed him (however hard he may debate the fact). He is now in UK (traitor) and his wife has been a real calming influence on him I feel. He used to have a very short fuse earlier which seems to have defused these days. :)

We have done pretty crazy things to-gather - forgetting his slippers on a highway and finding it at the same place a couple of hours later, bashing up a taxi guy for banging into my car from behind, going after a guy in a ST bus in Hyderabad - we have done it all. I seriously thought then that he needed to attend Anger Management classes.

He looks serious but has a very good sense of humour and does a killer imitation of S P Balasubramanium.

Distance, though has not been able to distance our friendship and we still try to be in touch whenever we can.

Falling in Love - AGAIN

There she was, standing in a corner, looking as good as she has ever done. I was noticing her after a long time, a dull ache came over my heart. Will she talk to me ? Will she even look at me ?

What should I do ? My mind was in turmoil. I decided to go and talk to her.

I walked up slowly (watching and admiring her). She looked even better when closer.

Hi - I said.
Hi (Hint of a surprise in her voice)
Her voice sounds sweet, still.
How are you doing?
I am fine, how are you ?
I am fine too. You are looking good.
Thanks.

All the time I was thinking, what if words fail me or the conversation just takes a full stop - and that is precisely what happened. An awkward silence where both didn't know what to say.

Hows life?
It's good, nothing major has happened yet but it is fine.
Come on think on your feet. What are you going to say next - this is not going anywhere.
Err what are you doing in the evening? (Damn what was that I just said, but it was already too late)
Nothing much. No plans.
Can we just catch up?
Sure.
Let's go.

Soon we are sitting to-gather. Music is playing in my ears.
Want to dance ? - she asks.
I haven't danced in ages.
So what?
I don't know whether I would be able to dance without making a fool of myself.
Don't be a spoil sport. You can always try.
Ok, lets do it.

I was still thinking - what am I getting into? I can't dance for nuts.

We start of slowly. She helps me get the steps right and match her rhythm. I feel confident after a while. Soon the music changes the tempo, it's faster and I am feeling confident. We dance like we were wanting to dance with each other for a long time. And we are in perfect rhythm. Not a beat is missed and not a step is out of sync.

After about 30 minutes we finish dancing. I am breathless. I am grinning. My heart is pounding. I am thrilled. I am surprised, I lasted this long. We both look at each other at the same time.

And I am damn sure, as that moment, she was thinking the same as I was - damn I have missed being with him/her. That was fun.

We should do this more often - both say this at the same time.

Sadly I had to leave then, but, I knew then, I had fallen in love AGAIN. It felt great.

As I walked away from her, I turned back to look at her and there she was, looking at me. I gave her a flying kiss. She smiled at me.

Would you guys like to know her name ?

It's MH04-BK-7510.

Dil, Dosti aur Kya Kya

It's time to write about the most wonderful people in your life - friends.

I have 2 very close friends and I feel it's time to talk about them, one by one.

C - C is an enigma to me yet. I met him ages ago - at that moment in his life, he was the eternal superior being. He felt he was the King and behaved like all of us were his subordinates and I thought he was obnoxious. Somehow one day we got to spend some time togather which made us realise that we actually could get along with each other. Never looked back after that. The bond grew stronger and stronger. He was my constant companion round the clock - the fact that both of us had intelligence far better than the crowd around us made the friendship stronger.

He was blunt, I was politically correct. He was rude, I was the gentleman. He was without a care, I was the one always worried. Opposites attract they say - we were the prime examples.

They say people can change each other. And it has happened with C and me. In the initial days, whenever we used to go clubbing - I opted for beer and he always showed his macho side by ridiculing beer and shoving down whisky on the rocks (I told you he was obnoxious, right?) and now the situation is such that whenever I ask him for a drink he says beer and I have started relishing whisky.

He is a passionate family guy and I am proud of him the way he has responded to the duty of being the elder son. Absolutely class.

I learnt a lot of new things from him (eg tripping hehe) and most importantly I learnt not to care about what poeple might think/feel of my actions.

He was one guy who treated girls very matter of fact and it was considered that this guy would never fall in love....or rather no girl would fall in love with this fellow. But we were again proven wrong. He fell in love too.

We have survived a variety of incidents, emotions and situations - and the fact that we have come out stronger and closer is proof of our friendship and I am proud to have him as a friend.

I don't believe I am saying this about him but as I told you - he is an enigma.