The Common Man Speaks

Strangers with a sense of belonging (Excerpts from Indiblogger Mumbai meet)

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We always look forward to meet our friends or near and dear ones. But on October 15, 2011, I was super excited to meet… a big group of strangers. It was the yearly Indiblogger meet at Mumbai’s R K Studios where bloggers from all over the city had assembled. The meet was organized by the food television show MasterChef India 2, which goes on air from October 22.

I use the word strangers since before the meet; I hadn’t interacted with a single blogger from Indiblogger, although many of them regularly vote for my posts and vice versa.

As I entered the venue, I felt similar to what a child feels when he visits an amusement park for the first time. Although I was seated alone, I still felt entertained due to the occasion. I was in awe of the magnificent interiors of the sets.

One of the organizers then asked me to join a group of bloggers as he was disheartened to see me sitting alone. Few minutes of interaction with fellow bloggers was enough for me to realize that people around me aren’t strangers at all!

(Article continued after the picture)

Soon, the event got under way. The host started distributing prizes (aprons) as wholeheartedly as throwing grams to pigeons (pun intended). This was followed by the introductory round where each one of us had to speak about themselves and their blog. This produced plenty of butterflies in my stomach as I am pathetic in public speaking. I just lack the confidence.

It was heartwarming to hear people speak about their blog and their reason for blogging. I suddenly started feeling bloggers are some special species which also includes me! Finally, my turn came and I somehow managed to speak. I tried to sound like a revolutionary when I stressed on the concept and the power of the Common Man (not sure whether it worked).

The three chefs and judges of MasterChef India 2 Kunal Kapoor, Ajay Chopra and Vikas Khanna took over to promote their show. It wasn’t like those over- desperate attempts used like our filmstars to promote their movies. It was more like an interesting interaction about food which was appreciated by the audience as it touched their emotional chord. The cooking-related games added the perfect icing on the cake.

In the end, we were given a large banner where other bloggers can mention their names and blog URL and we can do the same on their banners. I was pleasantly surprised when two bloggers came to me asking for my blog link saying they were impressed by the concept of the Common Man. Wow! So my under-confident speech did work! Later on, few others asked me the same!

Judging by the memorable time people had at the occasion, I appeal to Indiblogger to organize at least three meets in the city every year. After all, as Indiblogger’s tagline says – We Blog, Therefore we Are!

More pictures from the event: –

 

 

 

Messiahs of art never leave forever!

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The ghazal genre was alien to me until I heard Jagjit Singh sing ‘Hoshwalo Ko Khabar Kya’ in 1998. This was just the starting point of my life-long admiration for the King Of Ghazal. I fondly remember two years later I bought the cassette (CDs were hardly there during those times) of his album Seher on the day I completed my SSC Boards. Thus, my love for his singing grew further.

To say that I was aghast at the news of his death is an understatement. What else can you say when someone who introduced you to the wonderful genre of music leaves forever?

But no, he hasn’t left forever. He was a messiah for he single-handedly revived the dying genre of ghazal in India and introduced the common man to it. Such messiahs never leave forever. They continue to live through their art…forever!

Let’s reminisce some of the divine ghazals by Jagjitji: –

Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho – (Movie – Arth)

Hothon Se Chhu Lo Tum – (Movie – Prem Geet)

Hoshwalo Ko Khabar Kya – (Movie – Sarfarosh)

Tere Bare Mein Jab – (Album – Seher)

Tumko Dekha To Yeh – (Movie – Saath Saath)

Yeh Daulat Bhi Le Lo – (Album – Jazbah)

Kya Khoya Kya Paya – (Album – Samvedna)

Shaam Se Aankh Mein – (Album – Khamoshi)

Haath Chhoote Bhi To – (Album – Marasim)

Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar – (Movie – Arth)

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!