The Common Man Speaks

Don 2 Box-Office Prediction

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Star Value: Having Shah Rukh Khan as the main lead ensures a foolproof guarantee for a mammoth opening for any film, especially if the film is in the news. Presence of other actors like Priyanka Chopra, Boman Irani and Om Puri is an added advantage.

Hype: The hype has been tremendous for Don 2 ever since the makers released the first promo in July this year. The excitement increased further when the second promo came out in October. Both the trailers have gone down well even with those who don’t admire SRK or the first installment of Don. The makers will publicize the movie further once the release date (December 23) nears.

Music: Songs of Don 2 are slowly gaining popularity. ‘Zara Dil Ko Thaam Lo’, a techno disco number, has impressed the audiences. ‘Dushman Mera’, ‘Maya’ and few other tracks will slowly but steadily help in publicizing the movie.

Prediction: Considering the above points, it’s needless to say that Don 2 will receive a mammoth opening. Even if the film fails to impress at the onset (God forbid), the makers will rake in the profit due to the money generated in the first weekend and week. Fortunately, if Don 2 receives a thumbs up, it will be one of the top earners of 2011. It will also cross the Rs 100 crore mark if that happens.

Sehwag’s 219. Best huge score ever?

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Just when I was thinking Virendra Sehwag is getting into a poor run of form, the Nawab Of Najafgar surprises me and the country in a humongous and a delightful manner by smashing 291 runs against the West Indies in the fourth one-day international at Inodore on December 8, 2011.

Hearty Congratulations to Viru for being just the second batsman in the world to cross the 200 mark in ODIs and, more importantly, for scoring the highest score ever in ODIs.

 

Let’s re-visit the highlights of the innings: (Article continued after video)

In the modern era of cricket, numerous batsmen have reached huge scores of 170 plus in limited overs cricket. So, I just thought of rating the top 10 high scores in ODIs. The rankings are not based on the highest number of runs but by taking into account the bowling attack of the opposition and the conditions as well.

Here are the top 10 high scores in ODIs: –

10. Shane Watson – 185* (96) vs Bangladesh in 2011 at Dhaka: 185 is huge but I am putting it on number 10 because Bangladesh’s weak bowling attack and also because Watson was dropped once. And if you notice the innings carefully, Watson’s 7-8 sixes were played with the same sweep shot against two left arm spinners with identical actions.

9. Gary Kirsten – 188* (159) vs UAE at Rawalpindi in 1996 at Rawalpindi: Kirsten played some delightful shots in his innings but the reason for me rating it on number 9 is that the bowling attack of UAE was just like their team – minnow! Plus, it was a flat batting track and there was no pressure at all on the former Indian coach.

8. Charles Coventry – 194* (156) vs Bangladesh in 2009 at Bulawayo: It’s a big thing for a Zimbabwean to score such a mammoth score even if it is against a weak bowling attack like Bangladesh.

7. Sachin Tendulkar – 186 not out (150) vs New Zealand in 1999 at Hyderabad: Tendulkar along with Dravid set the Hyderabad stadium on fire on a belter of a wicket with a very fast outfield.

6. Mahendra Singh Dhoni – 183 not out (145) vs Sri Lanka in 2005 at Jaipur: Rating this one higher than Tendulkar’s innings as Sri Lanka’s bowling line-up being much stronger. Plus, Dhoni was a newbie when he achieved this score.

5. Saeed Anwar – 194 (146) vs India in 1997 at Chennai: Anwar rose to the occasion in semi-final-like match of the Independence Cup against arch rivals Indians and played some outstanding shots. Yet, I am putting on number 5 for the simple reason that Anwar scored 120 out of the 194 runs with the help of a runner (Shahid Afridi). Fatigue plays an important obstacle in such long innings and Anwar hardly experienced it that day!

4. Virendra Sehwag – 219 (149) vs West Indies in 2011 at Indore: Sehwag’s fans might hate me for this but still I will put it on number 4 as Sehwag got two chances (one run-out and one dropped catch). Needless to say, West Indies’ bowling attack was non-threatening.

3. Sanath Jayasuriya – 189 (170) vs India in 2000 at Sharjah: Jayasuriya loved playing against India and on this particular day, his love was the deepest. The Sharjah crowd was in for some treat as Jayasuriya played his trademark shots all over the park.

2. Vivian Richards – 189* (170) vs England in 1984 at Manchester: The England bowling attack of the 80s was a deadly one due to the likes of Ian Botham, Bob Willis and Derek Pringle to name a few. Due to this very reason, the innings by Richards deserves a high place.

1. Two entries: –

i) Sachin Tendulkar – 200* (147) vs South Africa in 2010 at Gwalior: South Africa had one of the decent bowling line-ups in the world at that time with bowlers like Dale Steyn, Charl Langeveldt, Jaques Kallis, etc. But a big reason why I am ranking this as number 1 is simply because of the huge expectation that Sachin carries when he goes out to bat. Just imagine the anticipation for a double century once he crossed 150!

ii) Kapil Dev – 175* (138) vs Zimbabwe in 1983 at Turnbridge Wells: This truly great innings failed to grab much of a limelight for the simple reason that the match wasn’t telecast! However, there are solid reasons why this knock deserves a rating of one. India were almost out of the match at 17 for 5 when Kapil arrived at the crease. To get the team out of such a deep hole required a miracle and scoring 175 not out after coming in at such a time is miraculous! Plus, the match was like a quarter final for India. If India had lost this one, we could never have won the 1983 World Cup!

 

Ladies VS Ricky Bahl Box-Office Prediction

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Star Value: Anushka Sharma has become a famous actor courtesy films like Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Badmaash Company, Band Baaja Baaraat, etc. Ranveer Singh is just one film old but despite that has become a known face. This is due to his performance in BBB, chemistry and off-screen link-up with Anushka. And since their jodi is returning in Ladies VS Ricky Bahl, the film has gained star value.

Hype: The usual hype which is associated with a Yash Raj Film is missing this time. The promotion of the movie was overshadowed by Vidya Balan who went all out promoting The Dirty Picture. But then, even BBB hadn’t created a great hype yet the film picked up slowly after its release.

Music: Songs ‘Aadat Se Majboor’ is being liked by youngsters. Even ‘Thug Le’ is slowly becoming popular. Since two popular songs are enough these days, we can say the music of the movie is a hit.

Prediction: Ladies VS Ricky Bahl won’t take the box-office by storm, that’s for sure. It will rely heavily on the initial positive reports and positive word-of-mouth, else it will suffer.

He passed away at a young age!

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After watching few of his films during my childhood, I have hardly seen a Dev Anand movie in complete in last few years. As soon as I realized this fact, I vowed to watch Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) as I was amazed by some of the songs and scenes I saw of that movie and also some of his other films. But after struggling to find its original VCD or DVD, I get to know today about his death due to heart attack in London!

From his various interviews and speeches, Dev saab made it clear that age is just a number. According to me, the energetic enthusiasm which was felt in his thoughts and attitude towards life is missing even in some of today’s youngsters. This compels me to say that Dev saab died young even though his biological age was 88!
But now, I will have to watch Tere Ghar Ke Samne without the legend being in the world.

Let’s recall his song which perfectly describes his life story: –

May your soul RIP and, more importantly, may you spread youthfulness even in heaven!

The Dirty Picture Movie Review

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Direction: Milan Luthria

Production: Balaji Motion Pictures, Alt Entertainment

Cast: Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi, Tusshar

Music: Vishal-Shekhar

Rating: * * *

Plot: Based on the story of the late South Indian sex siren Silk Smitha, the film tell the story of  a young Reshma (Vidya Balan), who dreams of becoming a filmstar. Since her mother decides to marry her off forcefully, she flees from her house and her quest to become a star takes her to Madras. After some struggle, lady luck favors her and she bags a role opposite superstar Surya (Naseeruddin Shah). The village belle Reshma now becomes Silk. To climb the ladder of success, Silk shows no qualms even in accepting casting couch displaying her body to the fullest. But for how long will her life be hunky dory?

You wish to narrate a story of a sex symbol that has tragic consequences but at the same time you are also eager for commercial success. So what do you do? Give ample footage to sex and naughtiness to make sure the audience is entertained or titillated enough before the tragic part starts. Milan Luthria follows that formula in The Dirty Picture, which excels mainly due to Vidya Balan’s earth-shattering performance.

It is difficult to know what the real Silk Smitha went through in order to get a break. But Rajat Aroraa (story, screenplay and dialogues) shows Vidya’s character happy to be a victim of casting couch to become a known name. The viewer is given no time to think about the rights and wrongs of Vidya’s acts as the idea was simply to portray her as unapologetic in whatever she does.

Intentionally or unintentionally, the writer takes leeway of this idea by going overboard with sleaze, which, after a point of time, gives a feeling as if the main intention is to please the frontbenchers. Even the dialogues are used as a tool to titillate. Having said that, Aroraa deserves plenty of applause for wonderfully mixing wit and philosophy in the lines especially in the second half. But it’s the way the tragic climax is conceived that gives you a sense of satisfaction as you move out of the hall.

There’s some sharp editing by Akiv Ali although the film loses some pace in the pre-climax juncture. But for this, the writing should be responsible.

Director Milan Luthria adds another feather in his cap by handling such an unusual subject with maturity and making sure their actors deliver quality performances.

Music composer duo Vishal-Shekhar rise well to the occasion. ‘Ooh La La’, the theme song, suits the film well even if Bappi Lahiri finds it difficult to pronounce ‘Fantasy’. ‘Ishq Sufiana’ and ‘Naka Maka’ are also a pleasure for your ears. The cinematography and background score are perfect too.

While playing the central character in such a movie, it was vital that Vidya Balan gives one of her top performances. However, she goes a notch further and gives her best act ever, although she looks way different than the original Silk Smitha! The way she easily portrays naughtiness, happiness, eagerness and lastly sadness will make sure her act will be the talking point throughout her career.

As expected from a brilliant performer Naseeruddin Shah, he shows his class in an unusual role of an aging South Indian star who continues to play a young actor. His expressions and the way he delivers his lines also succeed in tickling your funny bone.

After Vidya, the one who appeals the most is Emraan Hashmi. His mature act as a frustrated realistic filmmaker who later falls for Silk deserves applause. Easily one of his better acts. Tusshar does well as an innocent youngster who has a crush on Silk. Although not a significant role, he manages well and so does Mangal Kenkre.

Overall, The Dirty Picture has its downfalls which will be overshadowed by sleaze, entertainment and of course Vidya. These factors will also make sure the film enjoys very positive collections at the box-office.

The Dirty Picture Box-Office Prediction

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Star Value: Although the film doesn’t boast of any superstars, actors like Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah and Emraan Hashmi are well popular amongst the masses so as to pull the audiences in the first weekend.

Hype: The Dirty Picture is in the news ever since its first poster was released in June. And when the first promo was out, it created a rage. This was largely because of Vidya’s bold moves and exposure. Even when a section of the audience weren’t happy to see Vidya in such an avatar, it helped the film be in the news.

Since the film is based on the life of the late sex symbol Silk Smitha, it created further interest amongst the audience. Adding the fact that Silk’s brother lodged a case against the makers for reportedly portraying her sister in a negative manner, helped the film indirectly.

Music: The unusual and bold number ‘Ooh La La’ is being liked by the audience and the words of the song have also become highly popular. Even the mesmerizing romantic song ‘Ishq Sufiana’ is well received.

Prediction: Judging by the above factors, the film is sure to take a very positive box-office opening in the first weekend. Even if the movie fails to impress majority of its viewers, the producers will have nothing to worry as they will earn enough dough in the first week, since that is the period these days which determines a film’s fate. And if the word of mouth is positive for the movie, the film will find a place in the list of most successful movies of 2011.

List of protest rallies in December for Jan Lokpal

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As expected, the Government and our parliamentarians have betrayed us once again by passing a weak Lokpal in the on-going Winter Session of the Lok Sabha. Hence, the time has come for us to show once again that we won’t take it lying down. We are ready to do what we did successfully in April and Augsut 2011- protest!

There will be a number of protest rallies all across India in the month of December before the massive protest from December 27 begins.

Here is the list of protest rallies all across India: –

1)      Kanpur: December 1, Thursday (Candle March)

Venue: Phool Baug, Near Gandhi Statue. Contact – 9580303575 , 9616002123

Time: 5pm

2)      Mumbai: December 3, Saturday

Venue : Mahajan Wadi, Opposite Voltas, Dr Ambedkar Road, Below Lalbaug Flyover,

Chinchpokli East, Mumbai.

Time: 5:30pm to 8:30pm

3)      Chandigarh: December 4, Sunday (Car and Bike Rally)

Venue: Sec 17/21 roundabout, Opposite Sec-17 Bus Stand, Chandigarh, India.

Time: 11am to 2pm

4)      Pune: December 11, Sunday (Full day Dharna)

Venue: Kamala Arcade, Opp. Balgandharva, J.M. Road, Pune.

Time: 10am to 10pm

5) Pune: December 11, Sunday – Freeze Mob to Support Anna Hazare’s Fast

Venue: Outside Pune Railway Station at 1pm, at Swargate Bus Stand 3pm and at Shivajinagar Bus Stand at 5:pm.

6)      New Delhi : Anna Hazare’s protest on December 11, Sunday

Venue: Jantar Mantar

Time: Full day

Let us show the government once again how wrong they are in underestimating the power of The Common Man!

Common Man to rescue Indian TV?

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Finally, there comes something which revives my interest in TV serials. After more than a decade, I felt like watching a soap (as they call it now) when I saw promos of R K Laxman Ki Duniya – Aam Aadmi Ke Meethe Namkeen Kisse on Sab TV.

There are three reasons for me being attracted to it. Firstly, it’s based on R K Laxman’s Common Man. His cartoons based on the daily life of the aam aadmi are captivating for all of us. Secondly, because I am obsessed with the concept of The Common Man. And lastly, it was more than refreshing to see something clean and simple on TV during an era of meaningless and obscene content.

I am hoping the show rises at least to the level of my expectations. R K Laxman Ki Duniya starts tonight (November 28, 2011) on Sab TV at 9:30 from Monday to Friday. Let’s see if The Common Man can rescue Indian TV from the dumps it has fallen into!

3 years on, Kasab continues to be India’s guest!

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I am unable to believe that it will be three years since the 26/11 terrorist attack happened in Mumbai. In fact, the effect of the horrifying incident was such that most of us have a feeling that it was just recently that the inhuman activity took place. Although one-by-one five years have passed, Ajmal Kasab, the terrorist who was arrested red-handed for committing the crime, continues to live as India’s guest!

The whole of India (or the world) saw him killing innocents. Later, he himself admitted to it. Hence, proving his crime and convicting him wasn’t difficult. Yet, he hasn’t been punished for committing the most heinous of crimes! What the hell is stopping our law system and government?

I have said this before as well – this will surely motivate upcoming terrorists to attack India as they very well know they will get to live a long life even if they are caught.

On one hand, the US soldiers entered an unknown country and ruthlessly killed the person who committed the biggest terror attack on their homeland – Osama Bin Laden. On the other hand, we have Kasab in our custody. He is convicted but yet he is not punished. Most ridiculously, crores of rupees, which are paid by the common man in the form of taxes, are also spent on him! Shameful is a tiny term to describe this!

I think it would have been better if Kasab was killed in the operation. What have we achieved by arresting and convicting him? We wouldn’t have spent crores on him and made a fool of ourselves in front of the world!

By delaying the punishment, more and more amount of salt is getting rubbed on the wounds of the victims and their families! Plus, the sentiments of the common man are getting hurt further and further. How much more will our government and law system hurt the common man?

The only possible way looks like the one shown in the movie A Wednesday. The pro-terrorism attitude shown towards Kasab is making me think like this! How can I have respect for a law system which is becoming a circus?

Anna Hazare’s New Blog

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After shutting down his blog due to a fall out with his blogger Raju Parulekar, who was accused of putting up his own views without permission, Anna Hazare has returned to the blogosphere by starting a new blog.

The URL of his new blog is – http://www.annahazaresays.indiaagainstcorruption.org

Anna’s Facebook page and Twitter page remains the same which are: –

Link to his Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-Hazare-Says/268687513149703

Link to his Twitter Page – http://twitter.com/#!/annahazaresays

LET’S KEEP THE FIGHT ALIVE!