Update: The makers of RDB, emboldened by the roaring success of the film, have decided to enlist it in eight categories….narcissism?
Adopting a ‘never-say-die attitude, the Producer of ‘Munnabhai lage Raho” has snubbed the jury by entering the film independently. Quite a race there..each vying for honours.Frankly, if a film manages to tailspin into the nominations, that itself is creditworthy. But will either of these attain the success of ‘Lagaan’?
“Rang de basanti” Indias entry to the Oscars has fuelled many an argument as to the corrrectness of its choice.As a film, it had its moments. The central theme had stirred up emotions in the audience since it closely corresponded with an average viewers impending issues, faced ad nauseum. For me personally, there were thematic structural problems in the film, which failed to go well with my sensibilities..but that bears little relevance to the subject of an Indian film representation at a world forum. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
Each language has its own unique mode of expression. Often translating , say an urdu ’shair’ into English, results in its innate sweetness and essence diminishing by several notches. Hindi, as a language boasts of words which defy restatement of the version in its original intention.
A case in point is the word ‘MAMTA’. All efforts to capture the spectrum of emotions this word conjures up, prove futile. The closest perhaps is ‘motherhood, motherliness..which is there, but not quite.
The reason for this quest was triggered by the news of a baby, found abandoned in a train. Whats new? Eight couples, among them a Muslim and a Christian, queued up at the hospital with offers to adopt this baby. (more…)
Lifes most memorable moments are often those spent in the company of a dear one who has imperceptibly left an indelible mark in our journey. When they are snatched away by death”s steely clasp, we are left behind to mourn and grieve, not just for their death but what died within us in ther loss.
Whilst tainting every joyous occasion with suffering in remembrance is not advisable, our sages therefore in their wisdom, appointed a certain time of the year to honour them. This period of 16 days which ended today, is known as ‘Shraadh’ or Pitrapaksh” . It is recommended that new ventures, business, or clothing not be bought during the length of Shraadha. (more…)
The Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss seems to be passionately driven to hogging the limelight. After Arjun Singh’s sensational antics on the Vande Mataram, reservation issues, the only other minister( excluding Lalu Yadav – the comic interlude ) to have been a forerunner in gaining media attention has been Ramadoss with his strategic expulsion of the AIIMs director, his ‘clean chit’ overtures to the Cola Companies, his endorsement of ‘healthy models’ as opposed to skinny ones.
Shahrukh Khan, the reigning superstar is mighty perturbed. His latest film ‘Don’ is under the scanner..thanks to Ramadoss. (more…)
Kaveeta Kaul
Oftentimes one encounters those with an alternative viewpoint, a necessary adjunct to creative ‘out of the box’ take on lifestyles. There is a certain gentleman who strongly conforms to the tenet of ‘newspaperless-ness’ as the secret behind his disease-less state of health. In other words, his morning routine, or rather daily routine, does not include the almost reverential wait for the morning paper indulged in by the vast majority of mortals (me included). He pooh poohs the exercise with a wave of his hand, accompanied by an “invitation to depression’ remark, on his way to the ‘laughter club’.
Oftentimes, I find myself inwardly agreeing, while not summoning up the will to bypass the dining table, with the stock of freshly delivered, unopened newspapers, waiting to be (more…)
