PIMPING POVERTY: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, SO WHAT IF IT DOES???

The movie "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE” directed by Danny Boyle based on a book called Q and A by Vikas Swarup has been in the news a lot lately. At first it was for all the right reasons, winning golden globes after it was considered a dark horse for most of the awards. It is now one of the frontrunners for Oscars. A R Rehman did pick up a golden globe for the music but I must say I can think of at least 10 Rehman songs that were better than the song which won. Better late than never I guess. But just as one thought ah ... finally we are home.. .safe and sound all hell seems to have broken loose.


It started with the grand ol daddy of Indian cinema “the Big B" sharing with us his thoughts about the movie. For some reason the movie seem to hurt his sentiments and even that of Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt. Mr. Bachan I don’t think you can real afford to criticize the story Mr.Bachan for god sake you acted in "Ram Gopal Verma ki AAG" a sorry excuse for a movie even by our RGV's standards of crap. Mr. Bhatt you do a very good job of lifting Hollywood flicks (scene to scene & you cast the serial kisser Emraan Hashmi ) may be talking about a movies story and plot should be the last thing you do.

I read somewhere else that movie is a case of pimping poverty. Hmm let me think ... when a bollywood or tollywood or kollywoood hero is a slum deweller, an auto driver, a washerman or the guy who irons your clothes (poor telugu .. going for " maestri"), a farmer, a porter (a coolie not to be mistaken for a guy who is really cool) it is not pimping poverty but it is reality, very factual and so on.

Now for the icing on the cake, I recently read on news site that there has been a public litigation filed against the movie for using the word "slum" and "dog" together in its title. Whoa!! Now there is a case of someone with a lot of free time on their hands and someone who takes movies way too seriously. Dude get a life!!! How can you be offended by a movie title ?? And coming back to those of you who think this movie is about pimping poverty. Ok so what if it does... I am sure all of you who say this are the same bunch of people who went to watch the Titanic to get a glimpse of Katie's ... you know #@#@. And not like people have a problem when movie makers jump on the band wagon of “sex sells ". Example: Dhoom II and the character of Bipasha ... the "oomph” factor as some like to put it. So I guess this is the " aaaw so sad or cute " factor. If it sells, then let it and if you have a problem then don’t watch it.

Basically it is a movie.... so do not apply too much of your intelligence, just go to multiplex do the aaww's and oooh's have fun laugh and come back (if getting in touch with your feelings and crying is your thing you can do that too) . Just make sure you watch the 1 below

I am big Rajni fan but just could not resist the temptation.
Thalivar!!!!!

THE STORY OF INDIA: A DOCUMENTARY FOR THE AGES

The story of India is a documentary about the Indian subcontinent. Tracing the evolution of a nation from about 10,000 years back to the present day. The story is told by the British historian Michael Wood, who honestly just captivates your imagination and takes you to this place where you literally get goose bumps. I honestly feel in his voice one can a sense true admiration and respect for the great culture and history of India. I strongly believe that this documentary gives a very non-partisan view of India and does a much better job of it than the history textbooks of our school.

The Documentary is a must watch for every Indian and every person who wants to understand India. The documentary is broken in to 6 parts of an hour each. Each part addresses a specific time periods in the history of our great nation. 

 

THE BEGINNINGS: EPISODE I

In this part the very origins of our many practices are traced. It also reveals how developed our ancestors with respect to culture and city development. 

THE POWER OF IDEAS: EPISODE II

In this the story of Buddha is the primary plot. Michael wood speaks about the Mauryan Empire and their interactions with Alexander.  

THE SPICE & SILK ROUTES: EPISODE III

In this light is shed on the great king Kaniska and the size of his empire. Michael Wood also goes on talk about emperor Ashok and his transformation from a war hungry tyrant to a benevolent king. He also speaks about the Roman sea trade with Kerala and the exchange between the 2 great civilizations of Rome and India 

THE GOLDEN AGE: EPISODE IV

In this Michael wood throws light on the golden age of the Indian civilization under the Gupta Kings. He enumerates the strides made in the field of science literature metallurgy and so on. He also speaks of the world famous book on sex, the Kamasutra. 

THE MEETING OF TWO OCEANS: EPISODE V

 This episode is all about the coming of the Mughals and their achievements. Michael wood speaks of how there was religious harmony even under the under Mughal kings. He gives us a great insight in to life and mind of Akbar, a man far ahead of his time. 

FREEDOM & LIBERATION: EPISODE VI 

This episode is about the coming of the British. He speaks about how British rule even had certain positives but never ignores or tries to cover up the mistakes of British rule. He speaks of horrors of partition but at the same time says hope springs eternal.   

 

 

 

 

 

I HATE PSEUDO FOOTBALL FANS!!!

 

 Of late I have realized that the number of apparent football fans has increased exponentially, especially when it comes to club football. For some reason it is the in thing among the "wannabe" crowd and they actually believe it’s cool.  I am one for the concept of spreading the sport I love it and the joy that comes from it but I cannot stand the fact that people think this is a first class ticket to being cool. 

 

The thing that put's me off the most is every one of these new age football fans are Manchester United fans not because of the club or the way their style or brand of football but because they know 3 or 4 names from that team and also because a knock off or " fake " Man U jersey is very easy to find. Ask them who plays for Man U and you will get 3 names ronaldo, rooney and may be a Giggs and then the awkward silence .... Hmmm. Then there are those who say they support the team because of its color ... what???  yes it happens. 

 

Then it gets worse these apparent lovers of sport will debate with an ardent & true sports fan about the game. Honestly I know no one is born with knowledge of the history of sports, everyone learns as they go along. But if you choose to feign your love for sports that is downright disgusting and sad. So all pseudo sports lovers, wear jersey's of teams you know nothing about or shoot of the first 2 lines about the club that you read on Wikipedia and revel in the fact that in apparently makes you “cool ". But the truth is you are missing out on the real pleasure of enjoying the beautiful game and I feel sorry for you.

 

P.S I wear fake jerseys too because I cannot afford the price that comes with the originals... but I atleast know the name on the front and the back.

 

The American Road Trip: Texas to California in a Nissan Maxima

In matter of 15 days my friends I traveled nearly 5000 miles (8000 KM). Considering that the length of India is about 3000 Km, I would say that is a lot of travelling. I am generally a person very averse to long journeys and to say I was very skeptical at the start of this titanic journey from one corner of Texas to California would a major understatement. Now here comes the real "punch " of this journey, nearly all the driving was done by one guy Anil Chunchu.... let’s say about 4000 miles. 

 

I have never seen so many cities in my life; I got to see Austin, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose, Las Vegas, Tempe Los Angeles and many more small towns.  I do not think I have seen so many cities in my 22 years of living in India. something I regret now. 

 

Here a few pointers that I took from this journey

 

The state of Texas is massive, they have a different speed limit for night and day (65 & 80) and they are very particular about you keeping within them, beause one does not "mess with Texas". P.S all cop cars need not be painted black& white, they could be driving a red ford mustang  so think twice before you go above the limit in Texas. 

 

The next state you come in to is New Mexico, hmm what do I say about this one... let me just put it this way if you sleep through this you will not miss much. My advice is sleep because you might just go crazy looking at repetitive scenery of miles and miles nothing. 

 

Then you enter the state of Arizona this state this is filled with cactus plants that are huge.... and cop cars hide behind bushes and shrubs just like the show you in the movies. In Arizona we stayed over at friends place ... in the city of Tempe the town where you ASU (Arizona State University) but as I was later informed the university is also referred to as Andhra State University due to the exponential number of students from Andhra . Plus you get some good Indian food in this town.

 Then finally we reached California, we went to LA ... the home of Hollywood .we saw Rodeo drive... the Hollywood sign, the promenade and then in true hyderabadi fashion said that is enough site seeing for this trip.  We did visit the movie theatre called the Grove, It made feel as if I were in some sort of a palace. P.S I saw the telugu movie “king", please don’t watch it. It will scar you for life. Other things of importance nobody follows the speed laws in LA trafiic moves at 80 mph at minimum. You can get mugged anywhere and my friend's roomie got mugged right outside his own house when we were there. 

We moved on to San Jose from here taking the pacific coast high way must say, even for some like me who is not much in to nature.... the sunset ... blah blah ... it was a jaw dropping experience but be warned it is a very very long drive ( 10 hrs) and San Jose made feel as if I were India by the number of Indians we seem to be running in to.

 

San Francisco is an amazing city, it has very European feel to it was the common consensus but considering that I have not been to Europe .My judgement is based on the number of Europeans we saw and numerous roadside cafes. But San Francisco is all about the inclined roads these are at near 60 degree angles you will not realize how steep it is till you get to the top of it. If you ever want to punish someone give him a bicycle and ask him to move around San Francisco. Oh yeah the golden gate bridge is worth a watch. 

 

Now Las Vegas, a city literally in the middle of nowhere. Glitz, glamour and people losing money is what this city is all about. I spent new year’s eve on the streets on Las Vegas, my experience included getting stuck in a wild crowd of drunk people who could decide which way to go forward or backward. Not a very tough choice but for some reason hundreds of people seem to not be able to make up their mind and were very happy just falling on to each other and relieving themselves among hundreds of people. Basically if you are claustrophobic make sure you are not on the streets of Vegas and if you are not very rich make sure you not at a casino table for too long and do not drive at 104 MPH in a 70 mph zone. My advice make sure you know when stop whatever your doing in Vegas.  

Most importantly without  a GPS it very very tough to move around in the US especially if you are not familiar with the routes, It is not like India where you roll down your window ask your friendly panwallah the directions.