The Common Man Speaks

Anna Hazare starts blog, also joins Facebook, Twitter

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Social Worker Anna Hazare’s movement for the amendment of the Jan Lokpal Bill gave rise to a revolution which was never seen after India’s Independence. The unprecedented response of the movement also became an iconic example in countries other than India.

But as Anna says, we are yet to achieve the ultimate which can be done only if the movement is kept alive. In order to do that, Anna has started a blog. In order to make it more accessible, each blog post will appear in  three languages – Hindi, Marathi and English.

But that’s not all, the anti-corruption crusader has also joined Facebook and Twitter.

Anna’s blog URL – http://www.annahazaresays.indiaagainstcorruption.org (This is his new blog.)

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

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

Let us follow his blog and social media pages and help the movement grow further.

Vande Mataram!

Won’t let the movement fizzle out, say enthusiastic Punekars

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Although Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption stint has succeeded in giving rise to a historic movement in India, it is up to us to make sure the flame is kept alive. This was ensured by India Against Corruption’s (IAC) Pune wing members as they carried out a massive bike and car rally from Pune to Ralegaon Siddhi. Around 200 enthusiastic youngsters were a part of the rally, all excited to meet the man himself – Anna.

Take a look at the pictures from the event which tries to give a firm message that the movement will never fizzle out.

Arjun (Marathi Movie) Review

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Director : F M Illyas

Producers: Majit Burondkar, F M Illyas

Cast: Sachit Patil, Vidyadhar Joshi, Arun Tikekar, Amruta Khanvilkar, Varsha Usgaonkar, Vinay Apte

Music: Lalit Sen

Rating: * ½

Unlike the one in Mahabharat, this Arjun lacks focus!

Plot: Arjun Pawar (Sachit Patil), fresh after completing MBA, is eager to be a businessman unlike other Maharashtrian youngsters who opt for a job. His girlfriend Anushka (Amruta Khanvilkar) urges her father Mahajan (Arun Tikekar) to help him produce capital. Mahajan takes Arjun to the multi-millionaire businessman Ratan Shah (Vidyadhar Joshi) to gain finance. However, Mahajan and Shah use Arjun as a pawn to settle scores with their rival Jay Thackeray (Vinay Apte).

F M Illyas’ Arjun was supposed to be an encouragement tool for the Marathi manoos to excel in the field of business. But what we get is an over-desperate attempt to prove the point courtesy an immature script and over-the-top direction. Plus, the attitude shown by the protagonist can pose a threat to the unity of Mumbai.

The proceedings suffer right from the start as two songs are thrown in just when you feel the film is trying to gain momentum. What follows later is a series of tragedies thrown on Arjun. It is just not explained why he is the prime suspect in the murder of a businessman. It is mentioned twice or thrice that there are proofs against him but no attempt is made to enlighten the audience on the so-called proofs.

Later on, Arjun’s sudden emergence and success in the field of business due to a favor by Thackeray’s wife (Varsha Usgaonkar) is laughable. Once Arjun starts shining he starts hurling a chain of pro-Marathi lines which have no effect and fall flat!

If this wasn’t enough, the climax turns out to be the poorest and the most unintentionally hilarious scene of the film! The second most hilarious point is when Arjun builds a huge public toilet at the entrance of Shah’s business site in order to decrease its popularity! Phew!

Composer Lalit Sen doesn’t do a bad job but the songs only act as obstacles in the narration. The dialogues are too over-ambitious, amateur and loud although few are meaningful.

Thankfully, the performance area is respectable. Sachit Patil plays his part perfectly and displays helplessness and cruelty needed by his character with ease. Arun Tikekar, Vinay Apte and Amruta Khanvilkar too chip in with decent acts. The rest of the cast is nothing much to speak about.

Overall, Arjun fails miserably in its effort to be an eye-opener for the Marathi people which will affect its box-office collections.

Bodyguard rules box-office. What about audience’s hearts?

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I have been making a note of people’s reactions on Salman Khan’s movie Bodyguard. From all the responses, apart from one person, almost all others have thrashed the movie. Even on the net, I have seen terribly unsatisfactory comments on the film with some even terming it as unbearable and difficult to sit through.

However, despite this, the film has created history at the box-office by earning over Rs 20 crore on the opening day itself. Just imagine – on one hand, the audience is left unsatisfactory and on the other, the film has gained the biggest box-office opening ever in the history of Bollywood! If there is one thing which is unfair, it’s this!

Like I said in one of my previous posts here, it has become an easy recipe to cook a box-office hit. Just sign a big star like Salman, make an interesting promo, include songs at regular intervals and you get your box-office hit! You have created enough hype and booked almost ever theatre in the country. Naturally audience will flock the halls to see the movie once. Hence, you earn mammoth profit. But can you call this real success if the film fails to impress the audience?

But Bodyguard isn’t the only instance. There have been numerous movies in the past which have rocked the box-office but failed to satisfy majority of viewers. As veteran filmmaker Sudhir Mishra rightly pointed out, producers are only thinking about the profit in the first weekend.

In this race to earn big monies in the initial weekend, we have stopped making movies which have superlative content, movies which bring a smile on your face even years after its release!

This is where I consider Marathi cinema much ahead than today’s Hindi films. A super-hit Marathi film will surely satisfy a large majority of its viewers. Their biggest advantage is that the story or the script is considered way bigger than the cast. If a Marathi film is rich in story, it will surely draw crowds irrespective whether it has a known face. Sadly, this hardly happens in Bollywood.

These big and rich Bollywood producers should ask themselves whether their aim is only to earn big bucks or make quality cinema. Their answer will determine the future of Bollywood!

True meaning of Ganeshotsav… understood this year!

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In 1893, freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak urged the people of Maharashtra and India to celebrate Ganeshotsav as a public event in order to show unity against the British. I have heard this numerous times since my childhood but it is only this year that I am really able to understand the true feeling behind the meaning of this festival.

Just recently, the whole of India protested and fought with social reformer Anna Hazare against the government for the amendment of the Jan Lokpal Bill. The way India got united was never seen after our Independence.

Looking at this unity and fight shown by people of India, I can now truly understand the meaning of Ganesh Chaturthi, more so because it happened just before the festival. I personally believe that the people of India welcomed the elephant God with their unity and fight for the country. The 10-day festival couldn’t have fallen at a better time! (Article continued after picture.)

Picture courtesy - Lalbaugcharaja.in

It was also Avdhoot Gupte’s Marathi movie Morya that helped me understand Ganesh Chaturthi better as it also highlights Tilak’s main motive behind the festival. It mainly shows that in the fight between rival Ganeshotsav mandals, God is always thrown on the losing side.

The film also rightly criticizes violence, hooliganism, vulgarity and drinking culture in the name of Ganeshotsav. Hope it becomes an eye-opener because such malpractices are seen everywhere during this festival. (I have explained this further in my earlier post over here.)

As we welcome Lord Ganesha in 2011, we can pray to him to keep the patriotic flame alive in the hearts of the people and also put the malpractices away. Ganpati Bappa Morya!

Mumbai Victory March Pictures (Some disappointment too)

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Like other cities and towns, even Mumbai carried out a march in honour of Anna Hazare’s victory on August 28. However, I don’t endorse the loud, nasty band and the DJ type music, which was played there. Hazare has always maintained non-violent and peace in the protest so I got a jolt to see this type of celebrations. I am sure even Hazare wouldn’t prefer it either. Even the victory march in Delhi’s India Gate didn’t have such loud music and dhols.

Nevertheless, it was heart-warming to see such large number of Mumbaikars participating despite the very heavy rains and water-logging.

Some pictures from the victory march: –

Free water being supplied

Parle-G too!

Walking steady even during heavy rains and water-logging!

Devotees from Madina Masjid joined us and shook hands with us. Damn Syed Ahmed Bukhari!

The tricolor being carried

One man consumed food, a nation rejoiced!

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We always feel a sense of satisfaction when we consume food. But on August 28, 2011, the whole of India felt satisfied to see a someone else consume food. There was an atmosphere of relief and celebrations across India as the great Anna Hazare broke his fast after 13 long, painstaking days.

However, we should not forget those numerous souls who have been fasting with Anna. Big salute to them along with a prayer.

But just as Anna said, we must not forget that the main battle is yet to be won. We need to carry on the flame of revolution to even higher levels if we really want to see the change happening. Hazare also said he will continue his fight against corruption and so should we. Although its celebration time but we should also remember that the war is yet to be won!

What deserves special mention is the fact that all this was achieved without resorting to slightest of violence. India set a great example to the world that revolutions can be brought even by non-violent methods.

The man has shown us the path; let us walk on it with the same vengeance!

Let us watch the historic moment when Anna broke his fast: –

Anna Hazare makes Common Man victorious but battle yet to be won!

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Today’s date – August 27, 2011 – will go down in history as the day when a simple, non-violent activist Anna Hazare managed to unite all warring political parties and got the demand of the common man fulfilled with Lok Sabha accepting three conditions put forth by him for the amendment of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

But it was a see-saw kind of the day. Few moments in the afternoon made it look like Anna emerged victorious. However, soon team Anna was disappointed with the news that there won’t be any vote for the passing of the bill. But finally, the pendulum did swing in Anna’s favour as the demands were met when the Lok Sabha adopted a sense of house in the form of thumping of desks.

So, finally and thankfully, the great man will break his fast tomorrow August 28, 2011 at 10am. It took him 12 days of starvation to get the heartless government move into action. But also spare a thought for all those who have been fasting with Anna since 12 days. These people are not in the limelight but let’s give thousands of salutes to them too!

Lastly, this was also possible because of the massive participation from the common man of India. Despite their hectic schedule and personal problems, we the people participated in the movement wholeheartedly. This is something that has never happened before in independent India.

Bollywood personalities have been quiet except few people like Anupam Kher but it was touching to see the big names like Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani and Sonu Niigaam personally going at Ramlila Maidan to support Anna! For your information, this cannot be labeled as a publicity stunt as Aamir and Hirani don’t have any film lined up for release in the next few months. Hats off to them!

But even during such victorious times, I would like to repeat what I have said before – this is just a small victory as the main battle is yet to be won. It will be won only when the Jan Lokpal Bill is properly passed and corrupts are punished!

Till then, we should make sure that we continue our support and participation in the movement with the same enthusiasm. We are in to rewrite history so let’s grab the opportunity with both hands!

Morya (Marathi Movie) Review

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Direction: Avdhoot Gupte

Story: Sachin Darekar

Production: Atul Kamble, Avdhoot Gupte

Music: Avdhoot Gupte

Cast: Santosh Juvekar, Chinmay Mandlekar, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Ganesh Yadav, Janardan Parab, Vijay Nikam, Spruha Joshi

Rating: * * * *

Story: There is a history of enmity between the youngsters of Ganesh Chawl, led by Manya (Santosh Juvekar) and Khatav Chawl, led by Sameer (Chinmay Mandlekar). Their rivalry intensifies during festivals like Gokulashtami and Ganeshotsav when both camps try to out-do each other.

They get the news that from next year, they will have to organize a combined Ganesh festival as both chawls will be redeveloped into a tower. Since there is ugly hatred between both gangs, they write-off the idea of a combined celebration. Hence, this year’s Ganeshotsav will decide which party will continue its Ganesh celebrations from next year onwards. This starts a warring competition between both parties. They try everything to cut-throat each other by also including politicians in the fight. Their battle gives rise to such dangerous consequences which they hadn’t imagined even in their wildest of dreams!

(For more reviews, news and information on Marathi cinema, click HERE) (To join us on Faceboook, click HERE)

Review: Since recent times, the festival of Ganeshotsav has become more of a rivalry between localities. While doing this, although some of the pandals might become victorious but its Lord Ganesha who always has to be on the losing side. Avdhoot Gupte’s Morya throws light on the issue and emerges an eye-opener. Gupte continues his legacy that he started with the daring Zenda.

Don’t get confused with the title which might indicate that it’s a religious film. Actually, it’s an aptly made thrilling drama about two warring camps with the festival of Ganeshotsav being the seed of the story. It wonderfully highlights the fact that the Ganpati Festival is becoming a medium of fight where even corrupt politicians are jumping in to gain personal benefits.

Sachin Darekar’s story and screenplay might make you recall Mansoor Khan’s Josh but the proceedings in no way look inspired from it. The strong points are the fast narration, intelligent scenes especially the confrontational ones and some creative direction. Special care is taken to show both gangs equal in the fight. It would have been difficult not to keep one gang ahead of the other but the writer manages perfectly.

However, the story is not just about a fight between two rival groups. It is the consequences and the political twists in the second half that keep you grabbed. The writer and director also manage to pull off the most important part – the conclusion, which is meaningful as well as touching.

Gupte has imbibed lots of reality in the proceedings. The conversations and happenings in the chawl are straight from real life, whether it’s a heated argument or a moving incident. The scenes showing the idols of Lord Ganesha fill you with joy. Fortunately, it doesn’t become redundant at all.

It is crystal clear that Gupte is here to stay. He started his career as a music director so one also expects a rich dose of music from his films. That is exactly what you get here as the songs will guarantee that the music album too will attain success. Religious mantra song Gananayakaya Ganadhishaya even makes a number of scenes more interesting while other songs too deserve credit especially the Lavani number Internet Var Gela.

It was highly vital that both Juvekar and Mandlekar provide top-notch performances that match each other. They manage to do it so well that it is difficult to judge who the better of the two is. The former is emotional and expressive while the latter is more cool-headed but equally aggressive.

Veteran actor Dilip Prabhavalkar once again shows why he is one of the most respected artists of Marathi cinema. Needless to say, he is exceptional. But what comes as a surprise is Ganesh Yadav in the role of the inspector. Despite the presence of number flawless performers, he manages to impress very well. Plus, there is a large number of supporting cast which excels too especially the two politicians, Diwakar Pundir and Spruha Joshi.

Overall, Morya is a delightful eye-opener which is a must watch in today’s times. It will surely prove to be a winner at the box-office mostly because of the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival.

Just a moral victory, war still on!

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After a lot of speculation amongst the public of India and a lot of (pointless) discussions within the government, finally the UPA has decided to present Anna Hazare and Civil Society’s Jan Lokpal Bill on Friday August 26, 2011.

Hazare’s crores of supporters have termed this as a victory for the Gandhian for his painful efforts. Honestly, even I am happy for it looking at the way the common man of India has supported Hazare’s movement. Be it battling the work schedule or the heavy rains, people’s contribution has been the backbone in making the movement historic.

However, we should all make sure we don’t get complacent by thinking that the war is over. Even during Hazare’s April fast, the government had promised to take the Jan Lokpal Bill seriously but, like many politicians, it just made a U-Turn.

Classic example of a Congress U-Turn is Manish Tewari. After lambasting Hazare and even accusing him of corruption, he takes back his statement today and says he has immense respect for the 74-year old. Tewari feels the awakened citizens of India will get amused by the worst joke of the century. Due to this and numerous other examples, it is clear that the government is as trustful as a rattlesnake. So, I personally won’t like to consider this as a victory.

Therefore, it is vital that we keep the protest alive with the same zest. Let us throng the roads in the same large numbers chanting the same slogans. Let the government know that what the common man wants is the ultimate victory in the form of the amendment of the Jan Lokpal Bill. The war is far from over!