Gone With The Bra-Color Exhibition!

January 10, 2010 by Keyur Seta 2 Comments

Spreading awareness on an important issue is always laudable. And with the growth of internet, people are coming up with more and more creative ideas to spread awareness on a number of issues. However, the problem arises when you become over-creative. Because over-creativity can give rise to some weird ideas due to which the main concern is thrown out of the window and you end up making fun of an important social message.

I always thought Anurag Kashyap’s No Smoking is an ideal example of how to make a mockery of an important social message until January 8, 2010 arrived. On that bright Friday morning, I was surprised and confused to see a number of my female friends (and their friends) mentioning names of various colors in their social messages in G Chat.

The scene was same in their Facebook statuses as well which puzzled me even more. Finally, few female friends informed me that they are mentioning the color of their bras in order to spread awareness on Breast Cancer on Breast Cancer Day! Goodness Gracious! If I wasn’t in my office, I would have laughed like mad on hearing such a method to create ‘awareness’.

As expected, the motto behind the message was blown because of the weird method. Girls started matching their bra colors. Guys had good fun as they got to know the color of their female friends’ bras. The status messages were buzzing with laughter and color matching.

Amidst this atmosphere of masti, where the hell is your message? When it comes to creating awareness about any disease, one is expected to highlight the causes of the disease or its symptoms or some possible ways to avoid it or the treatment. In this case, it is just AWARENESS OF YOUR BRA-COLOR PREFERENCE! It would have been much wiser and sane to put up some information in your statuses instead of having A COLOR EXHIBITION OF YOUR BRAS AND GIVING A MENTAL GLIMPSE OF YOUR MOST PRIVATE WEAR!

Anyways, let me do the needful. Here’s some awareness on the disease: –

Causes of Breast Cancer: – http://www.emedicinehealth.com/breast_cancer/page2_em.htm#Breast%20Cancer%20Causes

Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer: –

http://www.srspharma.com/breast-cancer.htm

Prevention of Breast Cancer: –

http://www.medicinenet.com/breast_cancer_prevention/article.htm

Calculation of risk of getting diagnosed with Breast Cancer: –

http://www.breastcancerprevention.org/raf_source.asp

3 Idiots Movie Review

December 26, 2009 by Keyur Seta 9 Comments

Are you really educated or just well trained?

Ratings: – * * * ½

Ever wondered about the difference between well educated and well trained? Ever thought that intelligence and good marks are poles apart? Ever felt that our education system sucks? Ever thought being happy, satisfied and successful doesn’t always mean earning big bucks? Ever felt the urge of doing what your heart likes? If your answers are yes, go and watch Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots and feel proud of yourself. And if your answers are no, still watch 3 Idiots to destroy your illusionistic image of life.

Loosely based on Chetan Bhagat’s book 5 Point Someone, the film embarks the journey of three engineering students – Rancho (Aamir Khan), Farhan (Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi).

Rancho never hesitates to challenge, question or prove somebody wrong even if it is the director of his college Viru Sahastrabuddhe (Boman Irani). He will go any heights to help someone and even enlighten others like he does to Farhan and Raju, who have joined engineering without any passion to learn the subject. After changing people’s lives, Rancho, however, suddenly disappears after graduation. Today, after five years, Farhan and Raju get a chance to finally meet their best buddy.

After Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai, Hirani is back with an enlightening film, but of course, without appearing preachy. The way he has narrated the tale will appeal to both youngsters and their parents. Even as the writer, Hirani deserves full marks for adding some jaw-dropping funny moments, that will leave you in splits even after the movie is over, and also some touchy incidents.

Shantanu Moitra’s music and Swanand Kirkire’s lyrics add icing to the cake. All the tracks – Aal Izz Well, Give Me Some Sunshine, Zoobi Doobi, Behti Hawa Sa and Jaane Nahin Dungaa – fit the story and the plot perfectly. Even the cinematography deserves special mention.

Despite, however, a long list of winning moments, there are present some flaws in the plot as well as in some scenes. The whole motto of Rancho while he was graduating (which is revealed after the first half) is purely unrealistic. And the destination where Aamir’s character reaches at the end is highly questionable. Mona Singh’s child delivery scene is indigestible and debatable while Sharman’s hospital scene doesn’t fit well. Also too much shedding of tears could have been avoided and the overall length should have been tighter. The inclusion of a large number of filmi moments doesn’t suit in a film which has an enlightening message. Lastly, some funny moments are not comfortable for family viewing (especially the ragging scene).

Aamir Khan proves yet again why he is one of the best in the business when it comes to carrying the film on one shoulder. The actor is adorable in each and every scene. Because of his brilliant portrayal of a college youth, you completely forget his real age. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi provide perfect support. Both are flawless and lovable throughout. The nature of Boman Irani’s character is the same as in Munnabhai MBBS. Despite that, he portrays his part with a new dimension and perfection. Kareena Kapoor (Pia) too should be proud of her act. However, it is Omi’s (Chatur aka Silencer) mind-blowing comic act that takes everyone by surprise. Omi’s character and its hilarious accent will be remembered as long as the movie itself!

All said and done, watch 3 Idiots for the shower of hope that it provides while giving a new definition of life. And those creatures who are looking for non-stop fun, the film is worth multiple watches. The huge and extraordinary first weekend collections indicate that 3 Idiots will surely become the highest grosser ever in Bollywood!

Personal Note: – I never felt ashamed or disappointed for scoring less than 50 % marks in most of my college exams and after watching Rocket Singh and 3 Idiots, I have started flaunting my marks.

Rocket Singh – Salesman Of The Year Movie Review

December 13, 2009 by Keyur Seta Leave a Comment

Heart-warmer Of The Year

Rating: – * * * * ½

It’s a harsh truth that Bollywood, these days, is ruled by market forces where money is the name of the game. Films are showered with lots of so-called entertaining factors just to attract (or even fool) the masses in order to earn as much revenue as possible in the first three days.

In the midst of such a situation, it takes more than guts not to bow down to the bazaar demands make something right from your heart. Well, Shimit Amin’s Rocket Singh – Salesman Of The Year does the gutsy act and does it victoriously.

Rocket Singh is one of those flicks which reinforces your belief in the three assets called hope, hard work and honesty, which is almost non-existent in today’s movies. Harpreet Singh Bedi aka Rocket Singh (Ranbir Kapoor) has these assets in abundance instead of good marks to show off. He is one contended guy who has no interest in being in the ‘big’ profession of a doctor, engineer, MBA, etc. But little did he know that his assets will turn out to be the reason for his downfall. Despite this, Harpreet decides to fight back.

The presentation of this simple tale is equally simple. For this, Jaideep Sahni deserves tons of accolades for writing a heartwarming story, churning out some out-of-the-ordinary scenes in his screenplay and creating witty, funny as well as heart touching dialogues. In addition, Sahni’s honesty to the subject can be seen from the fact that he has refrained from giving undue importance to the romantic track or other such masala factors.

Add to this director Shimit Amin’s creativity, which can be seen in almost every scene. It’s because of his brilliance that the film turns out to be one of the most entertaining in recent times. In fact, Amin’s effort is at par with his last worshipped flick Chake De! India.

Playing the main lead in such a film is crucial and requires extraordinary talent and Ranbir Kapoor, with this performance, shows that he possesses extraordinary factor. The actor’s presence is enough to keep one glued to the screen as he expresses each emotion with ease.

Amongst the supporting cast, Gauhar Khan, Shazahn Padamsee, Prem Chopra and the actor who played the peon all perform their task perfectly. However, it’s D Santosh (the porn-watching IT guy Giri), the actor who played sales manager and the one who played Ranvir’s boss Puri who manage to surprise everyone with flawless and up to the mark performances, especially D Santosh.

Technical departments don’t disappoint too as Salim-Sulaiman’s amusing background score and Vikas Nowlakha’s apt cinematography suit the subject well. There’s isn’t much scope for Salim-Sulaiman’s music but the song Nikal Padi goes well with the post-interval situation apart from the hit promotional track Pocket Mein Rocket.

Considering everything, Rocket Singh – Salesman Of The Year is a rare gem which succeeds in bringing the spotlight back on honest, meaningful and non-masala cinema. Damn the average opening; the film’s makers and contributors have every reason to be proud.

In a Civilized Society…

December 6, 2009 by Keyur Seta 8 Comments

Until now, all my blog posts have been written with an excitement of either narrating a memorable experience; of giving my views on a latest movie, of just criticizing the mindset of certain individuals or of just speaking about movies. But today as I write this new post, I don’t feel any excitement and instead I feel it’s unfortunate that I have to write something on this. I say it’s unfortunate because of a terrible practice, which still continues in our so-called civilized and modern society.

A family which is quite close to mine is forcing me to write this post. Few years back, the daughter-in-law of the family gave birth to twin girls. Although everyone in their family was pleased, or at least they looked like, from inside they weren’t. There was disappointment written all over their hearts and minds. The reason: not getting a boy child.

And recently, the daughter-in-law has become pregnant again. No prizes for guessing why the family wants another child. What happens if she gives birth to a girl again? And above all, the family is not financially well off.

It’s sad to see this obsession with a boy child prevailing even in the 21^st century. It’s even sadder to think there are lakhs and lakhs of families continuing such practice regularly. Such mentality not only hampers the already disturbed male-female ratio but also gives fuel to population explosion, which is killing the country since decades.

However, amidst these sick minded people, there is a large group of individuals who have committed themselves to stop this anti-female mentality. You can have a look at their efforts and be a part of their campaign. Just follow these links: –

Woman For a Change Website: – http://womenforachangecommunity.ning.com/

Safe World for a Woman Website: – http://www.asafeworldforwomen.org/

Endorse Safe World for Woman Campaign by filling this form: – http://www.asafeworldforwomen.org/endorsement/sw_endorseform.html

Facebook group ‘I Support a Safe World for Women’ – http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=178968270949

Facebook group ‘I Support Woman for a Change’- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44510003253

Facebook group ‘FIGHT BACK- Engineering Gender Equality’-http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8800419602

Damn These Dialogues!

November 29, 2009 by Keyur Seta 11 Comments

By: Keyur Seta

Right from its inception, Bollywood has churned out some memorable flicks with some classy and landmark dialogues. However, amongst these praiseworthy dialogues, there have also been some which are plain idiotic.

Surprisingly, many of these stupid lines have appeared in movies which are highly regarded and respected. Being subjected to hearing such lines since childhood, I can’t help but make fun of them. There’s some force which is compelling me to interpret these dialogues (in capital letters) in my way, which can be more idiotic than the original lines!

– Agar tumne uske saath shaadi ki to mera maraa moo dekhogi! – AS IF OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY WOULD BE ALIVE.

– Main tera khoon pee jaaunga – A HOPELESS AND HELPLESS VICTIM OF WATER SHORTAGE.

– Doctor tells a lady that her husband is no more and she says, “Keh do ki yeh jhoot hai!” Just imagine the doctor saying, “Haan aisi situations mein mujhe mazaak karne ki aadat hain.”

– Yeh gaajar ka halwa maine apne haathon se banaya hain – YES WE CAN COOK FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR BODY.

– Nikaah kabool hain? – NAHIN YAAR. MAIN YAHAN ITNE ACHHE SE TAYAAR HOKE SIRF TIMEPASS KARNE AAYAA/AAI HOON!

– Kanoon ke haath bohat lambe hote hain – KAASH PAIR BHI LAMBE HOTE TO POLICE TIME PE POHOCHTI!

– Mera dimaag mat khao – MAIN SADI HUI CHEEZEN NAHIN KHATA!

– Bachne ka koi rasta nahin. Police ne tumhe chaaron taraf se gher liya hai – THEN WHY YOU SOUNDING SO PETRIFIED?

– Itne kharche? Ghar mein ek phooti kaudi nahin hain – AGAR HOTI TO BHI KYA HO JATA? IS IT ACCEPTED AS CURRENCY IN INDIA?

– Main kahan hoon? Main kaun hoon? – ACTUALLY YOU SHOULD ASK, “MAIN KYUN HOON?”

– A typical maa asks with a startling and spooky expression, “Tumne mujhe maa kaha? – GALTI HO GAYI. PHIR SE NAHIN KAHUNGAA!

(And now the killer of all:-)

– Aage jaane ke liye tumhe meri laash pe se guzarna hoga – NAHIN MAIN ITNA BHI NIRDAY NAHIN HOON. MAIN LAASH KE SIDE MEIN SE CHALA JAAUNGA. I WILL MANAGE ALL RIGHT!

Having made fun of all these lines, I still want the idiocy to continue so that I can write more such blog posts!

Kurbaan Movie Review

November 23, 2009 by Keyur Seta 10 Comments

Almost Kurbaan

Rating: – * * *

Each and every department of a movie, no matter how perfect and up to the mark, can go unnoticed if the basic plot is infected with flaws. That’s exactly the problem with Rensil D’Silva’s directorial debut Kurbaan. One really wishes the plot was as flawless and watertight as the performances, of each and every artist, and the technical aspects.

The story goes around professor Avantika (Kareena Kapoor), who thought her life is a bed of roses when she married her lover Ehsaan Khan, also a professor, (Saif Ali Khan) until she discovered she is being used as a pawn in a huge terror conspiracy. There’s also Riyaaz (Vivek Oberoi), a war journalist with disguised intentions.

As stated earlier, the problem with Kurbaan lies in the plot itself. The whole idea and motive of Riyaaz is devoid of much logic (not going through the details in order to avoid being a spoiler).

Another scene, the most vital in the plot, is plain laughable. Just figure this out – Avantika gets to know that the plane, in which her friend (Dia Mirza) will be travelling, is going to get blown up. What does Avantika do when she couldn’t get through Dia’s mobile phone? She phones at Dia’s office landline just 15 minutes before takeoff and leaves a recorded message urging and pleading her not to take the flight. How the hell can she expect Dia to receive the message in her office just 15 minutes before the takeoff? She could have called the police, the FBI or the airport authorities but looks like she didn’t trust them.

The above two loopholes turn you off from a rather well made thriller with some terrific edge-of-the-seat moments. Another flipside is the duration of 2 hours 40 minutes. One could afford to miss the initial 20 odd minutes where the hero goes head over heels when he sees his heroine and flirts with her in a typical 90’s fashion. In some more places, the editor should have used his scissors.

Despite the problems, D’Silva does leave a mark. Shooting such a film can be a hell of a task especially when it’s your first one. Therefore, D’Silva should get full credit for it. But the strongest factors come in the form of Hemant Chaturvedi’s cinematography, Salim-Sulaiman’s revolutionary background score, Parvez Khan’s action and Anurag Kashyap and Niranjan Iyenagar’s dialogues.

Salim-Sulaiman’s duo, as music directors, does produce some tuneful melodies but sadly the songs end up being interrupters and the most memorable title track appears at the end credits.

Both Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor enact their parts with flawlessness. Their emotional acts in the climax stay etched in your memory. However, it’s Vivek Oberoi who comes as a total surprise. He has played his part so well that it won’t be an overstatement to assert that the actor is back to his Company, Saathiya and Dum days. In a film which relies mostly on performances, the supporting cast needs to deliver top notch performances and Om Puri, Kiron Kher and the rest of the filling cast do exactly that.

The information and statistics provided in the script and the issues taken to light need special mention. Not many would have known that the US, in their efforts to curb terrorism, ended up taking many more than 15,000 lives in Iraq and Afghanistan which is five times more than the death toll in the 9/11 attacks (3,000).

All in all, Kurbaan is for those who like to enjoy some spine chilling moments without troubling their brains. Despite the big starcast, the film has had just an average opening which will make its going tough at the box-office.

Sachin Tendulkar Completes 20 Years in International Cricket!

November 14, 2009 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

Maybe for the first time in my life I am caught in a situation where I am eager and enthusiastic to express myself but I am not able to find the words.

Well, I have no problems with this because it is the bewilderment of the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar which is making me speechless as he completes 20 years in international cricket, 20 years of making India proud, 20 years of carrying the pressure of the whole match on his shoulders, 20 years of giving a nightmare to bowlers around the world, 20 years of being down to earth despite being the biggest cricketing hero in the world, 20 years of forcing tens of thousands of his followers to ram in the stadium just to watch him and last but not the least – 20 years of being what he is.

Sachin_century-Nagpur Because of my writer’s block right now (for which I am proud), I can just say I feel fortunate to have been born in this era as I got a chance to grow simultaneously with Sachin’s career.

If it wasn’t for Sachin’s determination and strong will, he couldn’t have completed two decades in international cricket because of the tremendous pressure laden on him to retire by some ‘so-called’ cricket experts since last 4-5 years. Well, they will still pester him to hang his boots and call it a day soon but who responds to barking dogs?

By the way, despite having a writer’s block, I still managed to write almost close to 300 words. Well, this is also because of the genius of the master!

Lastly, I am never able to keep my filmy keeda away which is forcing me to present you the Master Blaster in the following manners: –

Sachin - Sarkar Final2 Sachin - Don Final2 Sachin - Baadshah Final2 Sachin - Shahenshah Final2

Happy Birthday Shah Rukh Khan!

November 1, 2009 by Keyur Seta 7 Comments

Shah Rukh Birthday

Chauaalis (44) saal pehle 2nd November ko hua ek CHAMATKAAR. JOSH ke saath aayaa is duniya mein ek BAADSHAH ye kehte hue ki MAIN HOON NA! Us BAAZIGAR ke DIL SE barasne lagi MOHABBATEIN. SWADES aur PARDES mein logon ka is par DIL TOH PAGAL HAI. Sirf main hi nahin iska DEEWANA, is Bollywood ke DON ka to hai ZAMANA DEEWANA.

Very Happy Birthday to a talented actor and a down-to-earth human being!

For Your Eyes Only – Part 3

October 26, 2009 by Keyur Seta 8 Comments

Haan yeh aam raasta nahin hai! Har Pooranmaashi ki raat ko 9 baje is raaste par kadam rakhne se aap hawaa mein skating karne lagte hai! (Clicked at Santacruz East)

Thanks for informing... or rather cautioning (Clicked at Dadar West)

This is how Manoj Kumar will protect himself from getting Swine Flu (Clicked inside my office. The name of the employee is withheld to protect his identity... lol)

Now this is called height of overconfidence! (Clicked at Shivaji Park)

Such a description suits more to places like Switzerland, Mussoorie or Ooty instead of Mulund station

Are these people expecting to get a pesticides order at 2 in the night? (Clicked at Gokhale Road, Dadar West)

In the first two lines, they are giving an account that their Neuro Surgeon and Nephrologist did manage to succeed in a few cases her and there. But the last line is the killer - Super Speciality Doctors Available! They have doctors who can fix someones tooth from their left hand while simultaneously fixing someones bone with their right hand. That's their super speciality! (Clicked at Dadar West)

A Thursday

October 11, 2009 by Keyur Seta 4 Comments

Why is October 12 so special for me? (No… it’s not my birthday and I am still single)

October 12… sounds like an ordinary date doesn’t it? But for me, it’s worth a thousand smiles. Something happened on this day which I so dearly wanted to happen since my childhood. I am sure many would consider my excitement as over the top but I can’t help. Three years back, I finally saw him in real and spoke with him (not her by any means). And before you start thinking, God knows what, let me come to the point and stop your weird imaginations. It was the day when I met the great Baadshah of Bollywood – Shah Rukh Khan!

I and my classmates, who were completing PG Diploma in Journalism, were sent by our college (K C College of Management Studies) to a talk show on NDTV show where SRK was the guest. I clearly remember how desperate I was to put in my name in the list of those who were interesting in attending the show. Thus began my wait for that Thursday, which finally arrived. After we reached Mehboob Studio for more than an hour, King Khan finally arrived dressed in a shirt and blue jeans. I could hardly believe my eyes and luck.

Pranab Roy, the host, quickly began the show. As Shah Rukh started answering questions on his daily life, we soon came to know how down to earth he is. We were all pleasantly surprised to see the biggest star behaving in the most simplest of manners just like any other common man. The show began to progress and so did King Khan’s friendliness with us. Also we were awestruck by his witty humor.

SPL18091_002

In between he also gave attitude tips in a totally non-preaching manner. It’s after listening to one of his tips that I have started doing every small activity with utmost dedication. SRK had said, “Even if you are just brushing your teeth you should brush it in such a way as if it is the last time you are getting a chance to do so.” Initially I wasn’t sure of this but still gave it a try few days after the show and today I am still enjoying doing every small activity enthusiasm.

Later in the show, selected few got a chance to ask Shah Rukh a question and of course I was one of them. While all were desperately pleading for the mike with all excitement, I just politely signaled Roy for a chance and it paid off. If there was a moment where calmness scored over desperation, this was one!

As I tried asking a question to SRK, I could feel my hand shaking, heartbeat thumping and my breath going irregular. I asked, “Are you looking forward to becoming a director ever?” and he answered humorously, “Yes, maybe after 4-5 years when nobody will give me work.” I won’t explain my reaction after this cameo of a talk with him because I will never be able to do so! And lastly, we broke the rules of the organizers and ran on the stage. Needless to say I was one of them. I can still feel his handshake.

SRK2

The show ended as Shah Rukh Khan danced with few members from the audience. And this time, I, being the worst dancer in the world, was happy sitting in the audience as I had no intentions of making a fool of myself on national television! Thus, the show ended and so did one of the best moments of my life.

When my course ended, majority of my classmates felt the money spent on the fees wasn’t worth. In fact, almost all of them felt that… except me. Those few hours spent inside Mehboob studio never allowed me to feel that way.