Parineeta (2005)

Just finished watching Parineeta! Although not quite great, the film has a lot going for it; a compelling story, a few nice songs, expert directing and an exquisite Vidya Balan who inspires her character of Lolita completely. I was kept rapt at attention and was a little nervous until the end, thinking the film was going the way of Devdas but I say too much...
do yourself a favor and watch this film.



here is a link to a review of the film: http://www.planetbollywood.com/Film/Parineeta/

Desi on Saturday

Another thik day. My daughter and I watched Kal Ho Naa Ho again, took the family to Pabhjit & Romy again for Chola Bhatura, Samosa,  Gol Goppa and Curry. Later I went to India Market for the 1st time since before Christmas, Mrunalini seemed happy to see me and I picked out a movie, Parineeta, got the soundtrack for "My Name is Khan" and grabbed some ladoos. On the way home I stopped to see Vimal Patel at his place, Spice Bazaar as  I needed Rice and Thums Up. Had some Chai and met his Uncle & Nephew. Tonight I plan to watch the lovely Vidya Balan in Parineeta. All in all a good day.

A Good Day!

Had a rare day off from work today so I got caught up on Unit 5 of Teach Yourself Hindi. My lexicon is at 320 words and translating the dialogues is not usually difficult and quite enjoyable. For me right now, reading Hindi is a lot easier than speaking it.

Another realization is that I won't be crushed if I have to wait until 2012 for my India trip. I want to have the money and time to enjoy myself and I want to really be fluent in Hindi so an extra year won't matter.

Finally, to celebrate a fine day we watched Veer Zaara again, probably the 7th or 8th time I 've seen the film in the past 8 months. It is always a treat:

Banaras - A Mystic Love Story :

I dozed off last evening with Filmy on my bedroom TV to wake up to the beginning of a movie named Banaras. The movie features Urmila Matondkar and Naseeruddin Shah and eponymously features the city also known as Varanasi. I was too tired to watch the whole thing. I looked up a review, to which a link is posted below. The review is mixed but I still plan to seek out the film and watch it in full. Banaras - A Mystic Love Story : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh

Jai Hind! Happy Republic Day!

The Republic Day of India commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on January 26, 1950.[1] The date 26 January was chosen to honour the memory of the declaration of independence of 1930. It is one of the three national holidays in India, and while the main parade, Republic Day Parade takes place at the Rajpath, in the national capital New Delhi, where the President views the parade, state capitals also have their state celebrations.

Ghajini

finally watched Ghajini today. It is a very good film. The story itself is a little preposterous and the plot should not be examined too closely for holes. Nevertheless the film has a lot going for it; Aamir Khan is awesome and brings a maniacal intensity to the role of Sanjay Singhania. Second, Asin Thottumkal is lovely to look at and she really infuses life into the role of Kalpana, truly an award winnning performance. Third, a very good soundtrack by A.R. Rahman. Fourth good cinematography and editing, especially in the action/ fight sequences. Finally the story is told in a complex flashback structure that held my interest to the end. Definitely a must see for Bollywood fans. For the Planet Bollywood review click here: http://www.planetbollywood.com/displayReview.php?id=f122408092422

Veer : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh

I went and saw Veer last night and did not enjoy the film. In fact I left at interval. Pointblank the film was kharab. I could go into my own opinions as to why but Taran Adarsh's review sums up what I saw as the shortcomings of the film.

Veer : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh

Veer opens worldwide today

Veer, starring Salman Khan opens Worldwide today. It is being shown locally at the Cinemark Movies 10, making it the 2nd consecutive Bollywood film to be screened there, following the 4 week run of 3 Idiots. I am very excited by this trend and hope that Movies 10 begins to screen Bollywood films continuously. I will probably go to the 9pm show tomorrow night


http://veer.erosentertainment.com/

Photos from mera dost, Paul

Below are some pics from my friend Paul's trip to India a few years ago.

The 1st is from the Red Fort (Lal Qila) which is near the Taj Mahal. It was constructed on the site of a former fort by Akhbar the Great and finished in 1573. Over a million laborers were used in it's construction.

the next picture is from Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, in central Rajasthan, a massive complex of palaces atop a 400ft high hill. Construction on this fort was started in 1459.

the last pic is from a street in Delhi. Note the wide boulevard, antispetic conditions and scarce populace. Kinda reminds me of Tienamen Square. I wish I was in Chandi Chowk right now.

Dil Chahta Hai

Dil Chahta Hai (The heart is desiring) is a Bollywood movie from 2001 starring Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna and Pretty Zinta. Like 3 Idiots and Rang De Basanti it tells the story of 3 college friends and how their lives interact. In fact, having seen the 2 aforementioned films (and loving them both) I actually felt wary after the first few minutes of Dil Chahta Hai, thinking; Is the Aamir Khan role that of catalyst and leader of groups of 3 friends? Obviously with movies like Lagaan, Mangal Pandey and Ghajini the answer is no, nevertheless he has made 3 movies each about 3 friendships formed in college. Of the 3 Dil Chahta Hai is my least favorite. I liked the film but didn't love it and am curious how it received Filmfare Best Picture of the Year. I think the film failed to inspire me is that it really is just 3 romances told more or less in serial fashion. Rang De Basanti, on the other hand is a powerful movie, interweaving the themes of Indian Nationalism and Government corruption. 3 Idiots is a beautiful story about how one person, Rancho completely changed the destinies of his friends and also showed the soul crushing power of elite education institutions.  Dil Chahta Hai on the other hand seems like an extended soap opera. Only Aamir Khan's presence and a lovely looking Preity Zinta kept me watching to the end. It was an ok way to spend a Saturday evening but not a movie I plan to watch again.

My Treasure…My Pleasure Authentic Kerala Cuisine & much more

found this blog, looks interesting:

http://deepann.wordpress.com/

Learn Hindi From Bollywood Movies!

I stumbled upon a fun blog with 91 podcasts which play audio clips of dialogues from Hindi movies and then the host translates and explains their usage. It looks very tongue in cheek: http://www.cuttingchai.com/HouseFull/

नया साल मुबारक हो

Happy New Year!

Rang in the New Year, first with my friends Prabhjit & Romi at Bombay Chaat. Had Gol Goppa, Papdi Chaat and some of Romi's homemade Kheer. Later mera patni, myself and some of  her friends went to Tandoor of India, where there was a Grand Buffet, live music and Belly Dancing. Not sure why there was Belly Dancing as  I thought that is Turkish/ Arabic. Oh, well it was fun. Had some ladoos at midnight. Today I have spent about 6 hours practicing Hindi. My goal is to finish Snell & Wrightman's Teach Yourself Hindi by Vaishaki time. I plan a trip to Toronto for April/ May where I plan to hang out on Gerrard, eat plenty of curry and see some Bollywood at the Albion or Woodside.

My goal for 2010 is to save $ 1500, lose 50 lbs and by end of year to speak खड़ी बोली