Kya ek ladka-ladki kabhi dost banke reh sakte hai…???

Hey all…I am back again…this time it's a lot sooner than expected huh…
Before you guys start to read this post, try and read the post prior to this..its connected in some ways…but before u get there, lemme add ki that ones pretty long. And for the ones who have read that and then reading this, am surprised ur giving me a 2^nd chance…well lemme try and not bore u ppl again thru this post also…

Well kinda free this weekend, so thought I would sit and do some work on the blog…which is why u see two posts on a day…now don't ask me whens the next one coming up, coz I honestly don't know…Before I start writing this post, lemme see what all I have been upto this past few days. Well nothing much to be precise, the week as usual passes with the regular work, which nothing much interesting is happening to pen about. Last evening went and saw Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi…don't even ask me how the movie was…I dunno if it was crap or not…but I know it wasn't great. The title of this post and the previous ones…I have got from this movie. Anywayz didn't expect too much from the movie, so wasn't disappointing…one can say. I kinda end up seeing every movie that's released…(oh yes that's one good about Chennai…any theatre, be it a multiplex or a single screen cant charge more than Rs 120/ticket)…so that's like an incentive to catch any movie…and the cheapest way to spend part of the weekend. Anywayz so that's what I did over the weekend.

Okay now getting back to this writing this post…what was the necessity to have this one after having written a boring one jus a few hours ago. Well the one prior to this…was about relationships and this one too continues to be abt relationships. Websters defines relationships as "A state of connectedness between people" And this necessarily does not mean that one has to be in love with another or be married or like kids say bf-gf to be in a relationship. There are many where u cant even define the connection. And there are some of these people in my life who I need to mention, esp when my last post was on relationships.

You tend to meet people almost on a daily basis, but there are some who live an inprint in your life. My parents have been my biggest pillars in life…already written about them, in the previous to previous posts. And then there are friends. I have never had someone like a best friend, till about 3 months back. Never knew what a best friend meant. But right from school, at every stage of life, I have ended up meeting people who have been a special part of my life. Not gonna write stories on anyone, just a quick short snippet of each of them. And I am sure people who knw me really well, wud knw that there wont be any mention of any male friends in this blog…haha…kya kare hum to aise hi hai J Actually no lemme mention 3…there are these 3 guys from school…how I hate them and how I adore them…been the thickest of my pals for a long time now…2 of them recently got married, which makes me wonder that I am next in line…SHIT..!! and the 3^rd one…salaam PPP…

School like I wrote in my previous post has been an amazing experience. Made some of my greatest friendships there…some got lost, some remain dormant, few keep in touch…and very few are still close. One such person is the subject here. Known her for about 12 years now…really long. I dunno when was the first time I met her, I guess it was at tuitions…I still rem the first time I saw her, she was in a black pullover. After school, I think we have just met once, but we have been in touch. She's been the only one from school that I have been in constant touch with. And the best part is, I am meeting her next week, at her marriage. Unfortunately even if I want, I just cannot skip it.

Then there's my Chotti. I jus love her…I was supposed to be her local guardian here in Chennai. I know I have totally irritated her. Now shes at the other end of the globe, so the irritations are quite less…and the only thing she has to ask me when we talk is.. "When are u finding me a bhabhi"… arre chotti ab mein kya karu if whoever I find…either it goes kaput, or like recently…they have a bf J

MBA…hmmm…some really good friends from here. Some pleasant memories, some really unpleasant memories. Okay I dunno how to write this…Ajit has a person can talk to anyone and everyone. There are few people he cant talk to…for some reason or the other. One such person is Miss. V (now Mrs btw)…this girl was so damn cute, I dunno how I missed talking to her in the first year of MBA. We jus never spoke. Then fortunately for me and unfortunately for her, we ended up doing our internship at the same place and even the same project. I guess God had written that she wud have to bear my nonsense. I just cant write about her, one of the most special people in life…who's been there when I have always wanted someone. Shes happily married to her bf of 5 years…and they both are jus so warm people. There is this one person I never spoke during my MBA and I have no clue as to why. But now that MBA is over…we kinda chat on a daily basis…Jus makes me think, how come I missed chatting up with her in college... Another one from MBA…and this chic is the first person I spoke to in college. We hit it off really well initially and then suddenly for some reason…we just stopped talking for 6 months…she gave me the most weirdest of reasons….made me buy it also. Calls me her entertainment…she jus hates me…and I jus love irritating her to worlds end…and I knw wen shes gonna read this…shes gonna hate me even more…that's the whole point. This is one total bindaas chic...shes now become my roomies new drinking partner whenever she lands up at Chennai. Final person I met during my MBA years…we have so fought with each other…we have done things together that I could have never imagined…its been a great ride with her…unfortunately I cant write more, as the fear of opening up a Pandora's box…seems very close…There is this one more person I have met during MBA…myself V and this girl did our internship together…me and her have had some serious wonderful laughs then…and we continue to…

At work…there are these 3 girls…who I absolutely adore…Two of them I adore so much that I hate them for creating my profile on shaadi.com and sending interest invites to one dozen girls…arrrrgh I cud kill them for it…all three of them are absolutely cute, fun to be with…and more so like my partners in crime in a lot of things…Ohhh how can i forgot this final girl from work...although we work from different locations...what do i say abt suppandi...shes jus adorable..!!

I know there are people that I have missed in the course of this post…its not on purpose…its jus that I don't wanna end up with an even bigger post…!!

Nope…I haven't forgotten u my best friend…can I ever. So much about you has already been written in my previous posts…that I just dunno what else to write. This is one girl who I know can give me competition in everything I do…but the best part is that both of us know competing against each other and winning wudnt be childs play. We are like two peas of the same pod..everything abt us is so damn similar…from the smallest of things…to the biggest. She can totally irritate me at times with regard to certain things, but she also knows that it doesn't take me too long to irritate her also. Someone who I look forward to meeting as often as possible and someone who I truly miss. Its been since 3 months since we have met…and we are jus thick pals. The other day someone had a comment on my blog asking how come one can become best friends in such a short span. I dunno if this is a movie dialogue or if I have read it somewhere…but the answer is "kabhi kabhi ek dusre ko samajne mein ek ghanta kaafi hai…and kabhi kabhi ek zindagi kam ho sakti hai"

Going back to the title of my blog…kya ek ladka aur ladki kabhi dost banke reh sakte ho…?? Kyun nahi…rehna chahiye toh reh sakta hai…but the blady problem lies in the "rehna chahiye toh"…now if you ask me that…I wud prolly reserve my comments…kya kare there has to be food for thought always…!! J

Pyaar duniya ki sabse badi dard hoti hai…!!

I have been thinking of writing this particular post for the past 2 months now…but never been able to set myself to the task. Sometimes its just work that keeps me busy, sometimes its my thoughts of someone, sometimes its my irritation and when its none of these, I just don't have the mood to write it. And since I have promised this particular post to many, I think I would take time off and write it. I dunno how this post would be taken by some, but then hey u can never satisfy the whole world. Before you read any further, tell me make it clear that this is another post about me and hence boredom wud strike you at various levels…so quit then and there and don't blame me for wasting ur valuable time.

Earlier today, I was reading an article that mentioned something about how majority of people in the UK wanted to have a relationship with some celebrity and then wanted to have a kiss n tell publication in their name in some tabloid and make good amount of money for it. Well this is one such kiss and tell post…but unfortunately theres noone to pay me for this. Well probably kiss n tell wud make it sound derogatory, its actually not…its jus some thoughts that I would wanna pen it down. I might get some of you sending me stinkers for this post, but then here goes. Firstly I will not take any names in this post, I guess that much confidentiality I should maintain. Secondly any resemblances that you may find here, are purely intentional J

Act 1 – 1991 – 1994
Like I wrote in my last post, my entire childhood was spent in the Gulf, to be precise Bahrain. And luckily I was in a co-ed school, but during those years, I was not the Ajit that you people would know now. I was more of the quiet shy types…I wudnt say I was afraid to talk to girls, but then somewhere the whole reserved thing was there. Now I have no clue how I got stuck up like that. Totally totally opposite of what I am currently. Anywayz there was this girl in my class in 6^th standard…it took a while for us to become friends, but then once we did become, we were kinda inseparable for a while. I mean the teachers used to shift our places, and somehow we wud still do something and end up sitting together. Like people/movies say…ek ladka-ek ladki kabhi dost nahi reh sakte…now I dunno if that's true or false, but atleast at that point of time I thought it was true. Somewhere along the way I started to like her…yes people would push it off as puppy luv…but then puppy luv ya chicken luv…kuch toh ho raha tha, but I just didn't have the guts to tell her this. I dunno if I had made it so evident, but then everyone around me (except her) knew that I had this super big crush on her…Now this carried on for like 3yrs…6^th to 8^th…and the chicken that I was at that point of time, jus cudnt jus walk up to her and tell her that I like u…it was jus so damn difficult for me. And then for some crappy reason..we never spoke to each other from 9^th to 12^th standard. We used to see each other in school, smile at each other…but we never spoke. And then too the chicken in me just couldn't muster courage to speak to her. Somewhere during the preparation for the 10^th and 12^th board exams, I started to eat a lot of Kelloggs and so during 12^th…the chicken decided to migrate into a more mightier thing and decided that last day of school…I wud track her down and tell her the simple fact that once upon a time I had a crush for u. And for my luck…on the last day of the board exams, I just cudnt find her in school. L I mean looking back at things, I just cant imagine that I had a crush on someone for 3 whole years and I just cudnt tell them (And the worst part in the whole thing was me and her were so good friends, that she would have always taken things in the right spirit even if she didn't like it)…and now I don't think it wud take me 3 hrs to tell someone something…whether I like them or not. I guess in addition to eating a lot of Kelloggs and gaining solid weight, I also gained certain important realizations in life.

This was prolly the only worthwhile thing in school worth talking about…other than that there was this one particular faculty tat I liked (ok lets not get there now)…there were other girls also in school who did interest me, but then nothing too much in particular to write abt…among all this there was jus this one learning and that was if u like someone who is ur friend…tell them…u have nothing to lose…if they are gonna be so stuck up and take things otherwise and decide that u don't talk to each other again…then its prolly not worth knowing them also…

Act 2 – 1998
Passed out from school…the board exams went pretty okay. Had a choice to do my graduation in the US or India…it was a conscious decision that graduation would be done in India itself. So from the time of the last day of the exam and the results coming out and moving over to India…there was a good long 3 months time. One of the most boring periods of time that I went thru…and at the time totally got addicted to internet. And had a free connection at home, so the whole day would practically be spent online. Those were the times where there were no social networking sites, or atleast I hadn't heard of them then. And so as part of time pass online, I was searching on some Indian community of Indians based in the Gulf…no clue as to what I was doing on the site. So there was this particular name that struck me, maybe it was her surname that just struck me. I kinda found it real peculiar, so I ended up mailing her. And a couple of hours later voila I get her reply..She too had just finished her 10^th…and was pretty jobless jus like me. We started talking…kind of got along really well. Prolly started out nothing more than a friendship….for some reason…me and my family travelled to her country in the next month…again for some reason we didn't even consider meeting up. Spoke on the phone couple of times…and somewhere along the way…she tells me one day that this is prolly heading in some other direction. My results came…screwed up a few subjects. I got to India, joined Loyola College here in Chennai for my BCom. We kept in touch and then she happened to come to India for her summer hols…and by then we were already abt 10 months into our relationship and we stl hadn't met…typical Hindi movie story huh…!! (Obviously we had seen each other in pictures) Anywayz she came to Mumbai for her summer hols, and me here convinced couple of classmates of mine to bunk college and do a trip to Mumbai…ohhh man that was so much fun…bunking, taking a long train journey to Mumbai, getting caught by eunichs and mostly filled with the excitement of meeting her for the first time. Ok now I don't rem our first meeting…but as far as I can remember, I know it was somewhere in Dadar…or was it CO's at Parel…one of them. It was prolly the first time that I was doing a trip of my own, and that too had its own excitement…we met…each returned to our respective locations…again another 6 months of being in touch of phones…oh blady hell and those times, the freaking ISD rates used to hit the roof…!! I still remember we used to write letters to each other (yes yes…I aint dumb…emails were there…but there was something more personal in writing letters) and the letters used to weigh like atleast half a kilo each…there used to be times where I jus used to wait for the postman…and once my Mom happened to get hold of one of the letters from the postman…and she was like…what in the world is this?? Then I happened to return to Bahrain for my summer hols…and I convinced my folks to make me to her country…ok one thing that I haven't mentioned it…I have always told my folks of my relationships…they hv never like shown me the cane or anything, and so I have never felt the need of keeping it away from them. Anywayz went to her city..met up…we went on for a while…and one fine day…abt 23 months into the relationship…somewhere we kinda both fell out of it. She initiated it…but for some reason I knew it was coming, and hence I wasn't like in a bad state or anything when it actually happened…got over it real qwik…had a neighbour of mine…and we were great friends, and the fact that she was there, is prolly why I was able to get over it real soon.

Every act of mine has had some learning…and this one too did. Maybe it was jus that feeling of being in love, is why we got into it in the first place…but a long distance relationship isn't easy…there are so many long distance relationships that I see around, that work so perfectly but then if both don't put in that extra effort, it aint gonna go anywhere…

Act 3 – 2000
This one I dunno if it can be defined as a relationship…it can be why not. The whole boyfriend-girlfriend concept is not one that can define a relationship. Me and S…I dunno what we were. We were jus very close. Very…although the year mentions 2000…I wud say prolly the seeds for this were sown a year back…I had gone for this conference called the Model United Nations Assembly in Bahrain, and I was heading the press coverage for this event. There was this very pretty girl in my team. She was wearing a hijab and I thought she was Arab. So I was like telling this friend of mine…"bhai woh bandhi mast dikhti hai" (S was pretty close to me when I said this)…and it just went on…the next day, S walks up to me and was talking something about the press coverage…and at the end…she looked at me and was like "aapko kya lagta hai, Pakistani ladkiyaan don't knw Hindi"…I was dumbstruck for a minute…shes like "its ok…dnt seem surprised…waise bhi kal ke comment ke liye thank u"… Circa 2000…I went back to Bahrain for my next summer hols…and we met up…and we knew that things were happening btwn us. And at the same time was when the movie Refugee (Abhisheks first movie) released…and I was like freak I cant walk across the border to claim this love….hhahaha…like I said both me and her knew it would never work btwn us…this Act prolly doesn't need a mention here, but then I felt it shud have been there…

Act 4 – 2004
4 year gap…btwn last one and this. Well I was in a boys only college for graduation…so what do u expect…!! Anywayz this Act really needn't be here, but I wanna write abt it. That's because there is so much of ill feeling abt this one. Anywayz time for another internet one…now u people prolly wondering whether - did I learn anything from my previous one or not…well this particular one was never intended to take a serious direction…but somewhere it became too serious that things jus went haywire. She was a junior of mine from school…I don't think I ever interacted with her in school…but then we interacted a lot after that. I don't wanna get to the interactions and all…she was staying in another part of the world altogether. She told me she was in love with me…I told her that I was in love with her…Iooking back I don't even knw whether we were in love at all. It seems more like a relationship of convenience that anything else. At some point of time she decided to come down to India to continue her studies here…by then she was supposedly seeing someone else…we were friends…same city…so kept meeting often. But somewhere along the well things got sour…because supposedly I had started spreading rumours abt her. And that too I feel ashamed to write here some of these rumours…I mean I knew bigger secrets abt her…which if I wanted I cud tell the whole world…why wud I spread false rumours when I could spread truths…this is a point which she failed to see then…and still continues to fail to see. Tried to make her see reality, but then now I realize its jus not even worth it…If the person who I am referring to here, happens to read this..trust me on each word I have written here, including my last line.


Act 5 – 2005
Looking back at all that I have written, I really dont think any of the above can even be called as relationships in the true sense of the word. Obviously each of them were in a factual way, but in the true sense...really none...but this one in 2005 - well this is the most enriching relationship I have been in so far. But unfortunately I cant write about it. Happened during my MBA…there were ups and downs. But this was one, which I thought and prolly wanted to see the end of the day. But then wen everything is fine, always some unwanted factors will have to crop up in btwn…and this time it happened to be religion. Everything was perfect…except religion. I don't want to write more abt this, but breaking up in the name of religion was something that was totally unacceptable to me…esp in this 21^st century. I have moved out of this…but sometimes one does wonder why does religion have to play a part in most relationships?? I know many of you would know abt this one…and the reasons why I cant or don't wanna write more on this…

My take from this…and no I am not asking this to anyone in particular…it's a general statement, to which I don't knw an answer. Many of my colleagues and friends have same issues in their relationship…I mean at the end of the day are u marrying the person or their religion. In this modern age, no one is going to tell the other to convert and blah blah..One of my favourite lines "we Indians have even reached outerspace, but stl some of us are stuck at religions"

I know this was prolly an extremely boring and long post…and very frankly somewhere half way thru the post, I lost interest in writing it also. But then since I had started it, I wanted to end it…which is prolly why certain people who know my writing can see the indifference in the tone. Well there are some people who I have purposely skipped in course of this blog…they don't deserve a mention…but there are some people who really matter to me, and for them I dedicate my next post (yes yes I am starting to write tat in the next 5 mins) coz they truly deserve not to be lost in this long post…!!

I, Me, Myself

Today has relatively been a free day, so I decided to take the opportunity to sit and update my blog. Now why is it a relatively free day, for one I decided to work from home today and that's because Chennai has been so hit by a cyclone that its been raining continuously for the past 2 days, and coz of which the entire area is flooded, its pretty bad that I couldn't even get out of the house to head to the office.

That's how the situation looks outside our house, more like a river. And hence stayed at home and decided to work, and considering the fact that its been raining continuously since morning, I don't see the water levels reducing one bit also tomorrow. It hasn't been a good day in India, esp in Mumbai, with the terror attacks. If I start writing about the attacks, well that would be a post by itself, and would lead into several confrontations with people I know, hence I shall avoid that topic. As I write this, its been 35hrs since the terror attacks have started and it still hasn't ended. My condolences with everyone, who has been affected by this cowardly act. People keep speaking about the spirit of Mumbai, the spirit of Delhi. Its so easy for everyone to just push it as simply as that. Lets just hope GOD gives the strength to each family who has suffered a loss in the process. In the past 35 hrs…I think I have spent atleast 28hrs watching the news. So that's what I have been upto.

Anywayz let me get to writing my blog now. Well this one is gonna be pretty straightforward, no mention of anything except me, obviously as the title says.
Well where do I start, I set foot on this world on the 1^st of February 1981…an Aquarian by birth, born in Coorg. Ok literally speaking I didn't set foot in this world on that day, that happened a few years later than the date mentioned. I was a thin child when I was born (people who knw me needn't laugh…that was a fact) Some doctor gave me an injection, which I keep telling my Mom had an adverse effect and I ended up looking how I am now. After a few initial years in India, we moved on to Bahrain where I did my entire schooling, must say that some of my best years so far have been spent in Bahrain. Living in a multi cultural atmosphere, amongst people from various nationalities has made me as someone with a wide outlook to life. Hahah..this sounds so much like I am selling myself at an interview. Anywayz what the hell. I am telling you people this post is gonna be a boring one, so you can cut here and do something worthwhile with your time rather than sitting and reading this. Anywayz my entire schooling and most part of my life has been in Bahrain. Here is where I have made some of my closest friends. I sure am not getting into naming someone, as I will end up missing someone and that wud turn to a bigger disaster. Growing up years in Bahrain were a lot fun. Playing gully cricket, badminton, eating burgers at Hardees and Dairy Queen etc., School and most part of it was most fun. I wud seriously so wanna sit and write loads abt Bahrain and life there, but I guess that will hv to cut short here. Maybe when some day, if I decide to write to book, I shall make all this out.

The above 2 paras were written by me like 2 days, unfortunately cudnt complete it, coz lots came up. Ya I suddenly ran off to Blore for a weekend trip. We were so jobless and fed up of being stuck in a place with floods all around, that we suddenly decided to drive down to Blore for the weekend. We had like loads of fun. Went to this awesome amusement park called Wonderla. Trip to Bangalore was a welcome change, met up with quite a few friends. Drove back last nite. We discovered an awesome dhaba (prolly the only one on the Chennai-Blore highway)…this place is cheap, open 24 hrs and is fab. We were so impressed with Reddy's Punjabi Dhaba, that we plan to drive down on some Saturday night just to have dinner there and yes this place is about 150kms from Chennai, so now one can imagine, how jobless we can be in life.

Anywayz getting back to my post. I am not gonna sit and explain my entire educational background and all here. So in short after my entire schooling in Bahrain, moved over to Chennai for my graduation at Loyola, after which I worked in Andersen for a while. One helluva an experience. Decided enough of Chennai. Was supposed to head to Australia for my MBA…decided against it in the last moment. Now whether it was a mistake or not, I would never know. But then one makes a decision based on circumstances at that moment, makes no sense to go back and revisit and think about it. Anywayz did my MBA at Bangalore and ever since then working in Chennai. High time that I move out, and I hope to and I will. Need to get back to consulting desperately. Anywayz that's it on my boring life.

What do I write now. Lets see what I can write about myself. Born to Mallu parents, but never lived in Mallu land, which is probably why I don't have traits that a normal Mallu wud have. I have been told I don't look or sound like one. I have also been told that I look like an alien, now who to believe and who not to, is something that I keep pondering about. My parents have been the most wonderful and important people in my life and my strength. Oh btw I do not have any siblings. So first q people ask is like – so you have been pampered a lot? Well I really don't think so. What I am today, is prolly how I have been brought up. My folks have been liberal to a huge extent. This post really does not have much for anyone to comment on. Its jus that I wanted to write a few things, so the need for the post.

Am a true Aquarian by nature. Optimistic, honest, loyal, very inquisitive, rebellious to a lot of things. Totally open to argument, coz I love listening to others views. As I am writing this, I have just received a mail from someone that talks about zodiac traits…oh f…so true. Here I am quoting a line "They are extremely logical and objective and, in real terms, the concept of winning or losing means little to them, but they do find great pleasure in active debate." Totally not interested in mundane daily activities, and hence really don't care about what someone thinks of me (there are obviously exceptions to the word someone here) People take this as arrogance, but its not. I as a person am very sociable, and its so known that Aquarians have more friends in the opposite sex than their own (which is why my folks at times ask me, if I have any male friends) J I think instead of me writing about my traits, one should jus read this. Coz I kinda prolly agree to most of what is written there about the sign…and abt what I really am. Click here to read abt Aquarius and other signs too.

There are just very few people that I care for in this world. Let me not sit and name anyone. Actually let me just end this post here, go home and sleep. Way way too tired after this Blore trip and lack of sleep. Emotionally also totally drained out…been having some sort of silent confrontation with someone real special to me…I cant even call it a fight or an argument…I dunno what it is…but I know its not nice…and I jus hope whatever it is, gets fine soon..coz its not easy. Desperately need it to be fine actually…!! And I am sure it will be… Many of you who had the patience to reach till here, would wonder why the post. Well like I said earlier, I just wanted to write some stuff. And so..

I would start on my next post soon…and that I presume would be on relationships…now I dunno whether that would open a pandora's box or not…patha nahi…lekin zaroor likhoonga…soon to soon. Till then keep visiting and keep reading THE RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM MY SOUL J

A Special Feeling

My last post had a few comments, asking me to write a post exclusively with regard to my new found best friend...well I could'nt think of writing a whole post, so I thought I would put in this poem. Nope its not mine, its something I had come across, exactly 10 years ago...and now I remembered it, did some research and ended up finding it. So this is dedicated to you..

I have a special feeling
That I scarcely comprehend.
In my deepest thoughts I sense
You're more than just a friend.

I would'nt want to rush us now
As friendship we explore;
But there's a growing warmth inside
That I just can't ignore.

I enjoy our times together-
We're so comfortable and free.
I think of you when I'm alone-
I think of you and me.

I feel that we have much to share,
Warm secrets to uncover.
There is a whole lot more to life
That we both can discover.

I dont know where we're heading
Or just were this road will end
But you're truly someone special
Who is more than just a friend.

Shiny Disco Balls...

Heylo ladies and gentlemen,

How are you all doing? I am doing and doing alrite :) Moved into another team and doing presales now, and that just keeps me busy, and nope I dont wish to talk on it -so no questions entertained in that regard. Yes I had promised in my last post that I would be here often, but honestly there has just been no time at all. I have got many mails/messages asking where my post went or as to whether I am alive or not...!! So yes here I am giving my attendance and putting up my next post...this might end up more as a diary entry rather than a post, no clue as to what to write, anywayz here goes -

Today has been one jobless day, only responding to emails...ok yes did a little bit of work, but then everything was stuck, coz none of the inputs that were to come in...came...and since I dont believe in reinventing the wheel..there's no output at the end of the day. Okay some rubbish I am talking here. Was listening to Shiny Disco Balls and suddenly got the josh to start writing this post...and hence the inspiration...Shiny Disco Balls..!!

Okay so what have I been upto since my last post. Well nothing really much. Okay lets take this point by point.

1) Klueless 4 - Back to the sadistic game, which I started trying out last year. This is the online game/treasure hunt or whatever you wish to call it, which is hosted by IIM Indore as part of their annual management fest. This is one helluva game, although last years edition was so much better, this one is also worth a shot. Its fun..engrossing and totally addictive. Seriously suggest you people to try it out...there are various sites that offer you clues. If you still need some, do drop me a mail or catch me on Gtalk for help. Finally myself and Jojan completed it. Total of 4 days effort, although we spread this over like some 2 weeks, just because there were days where there was absolutely no interest to start it. For all those who have the time, patience and lots more..shud really attempt this. Click here to take you to Klueless 4.

2) Movies - Yes yes I havent been reviewing any of late. What to do..no monetary motivation!! Seen quite a bit actually...obviously when you end up watching 1-2 every weekend, that would easily account for about 10 a month. Went and saw
1) Golmaal Returns (absolute rubbish I wud say, but fun esp if you go in a group)
2) Fashion (kinda liked the movie, ya it was stretched a bit..but then its definitely worth a watch..Priyanka Chopra has done well...so has Kangana who as usual plays a similar role like all her other movies-the female for whom you are supposed to shower all your sympathies on, but whatever said and done..well scripted role. Mugdha Godse is HOT..!! )
3) Drona (dont even ask...)
4) Kidnap (this was so bad, that Drona can win an Oscar over Kidnap...but I loved watching Kidnap...yup certain things cant be explained here) :)
5) Quantum of Solace (this shudnt have even been a Bond movie. More like the Bourne series, which btw is so much better. I jus love Jason Bourne)
6) Dostana (This was an enjoyable watch, not saying that it can be titled like the best movie to have released this century, but it was good...really good. Abhishek and John have played some wonderful roles and Piggy Chops...f...she is HOT!!
7) Body of Lies (catch in on DVD or something. Yes I agree with u...the Jordanian cop was good..!!)
Ok thats all i remember now...

3) Safar-ke-saathi - This has been the most asked topic to me in recent times. Safar ke saathi still continues to be safar ke saathi itself :( No movement on that front. Ohhh yes, we have become like the best of friends...ya I am sure thats not what most of the people who are reading this would want to hear, but thats the fact, and now I cant change that, can i..!! Unfortunately reality is reality..!! Oh yes I did end up meeting safar ke saathi one more time. And looking fwd to the next one...which I realise is really soon :)

4) Ok my last post mentioned something abt a Pichle Saath Dinom Mein...well yes I went on a GM diet, not once, but twice. Both were pretty much effective...it is a frustrating diet, but then if you really give it a good shot...it would really work wonders. Well I did it thrice and totally have lost like 12kgs...so its worked in my favour...no doubt. But the diet can get really depressing at times. I remember there was this one day during my 3rd installment...I think it was day 5..the tomato day, I had kept brown bread to eat at night, and a freaking rat in our kitchen ate it..blady rat got all my curses on that day. Ok as usual some rubbish I am writing, high time I end the blog. Obviously I took the vegetarian variant, no difference actually...vegetarians jus leave out the beed. Btw those who do wanna do a diet and lose weight, give it a shot. You will find details here.

5) Miscellaneous - What else is happening...hmmm cant really think what to write now. Barack Obama has won. And I got my hair done like Obama. Ok that wasnt planned. Just that the salon guy cut it way too short. But then I kinda like it. Yes I know I am totally boring you people. So that its for the day ladies and gentlemen..goodnite and see you all. Will have something to write soon...totally waiting for the weekend. Yes who doesnt wait for it...but ya...shhhhh :) Yes yes as usual I promise to update this soon...so till the next time. Adios.

Okay I was just about to post this, when a favourite song of mine started playing. There is this set of lyrics that I absolutely adore. Its Love is All Around by Wet Wet Wet.

I see your face before me
As I lay on my bed I kinda get to thinking
Of all the things you said, oh yes I did
You gave your promise to me and I
Gave mine to you
I need someone beside me
In everything I do.

Oktoberfest

First things first, the blog will have nothing to do with Oktoberfest (i even hate the taste of beer), just that I couldnt come up with a better title. Well I did promise that I wud update the blog more often, but then the past few weeks have been so damn busy with something, that I unfortunately cant write here for now.

Well this post wont have anything much specific...jus some random thoughts..yes yes its all to do with the title of the blog. So what have I been upto the past few days...went and saw Kidnap and Drona...both suck big time. Atleast watching Kidnap I had a good time... :) I so wish to sit and write a review for both these movies, but there's absolutely no time for it. So in short, if you have nothing better to do, go watch them. Although I wud say that Drona prolly gets a more points from me than Kidnap. People who join Harry Potter sort of fantasy stuff would enjoy Drona to a certain extent. Kidnap well...termed to be a thriller was nothing more but another episode of the Great Indian Laughter Challenge which for a fact never seems to amuse me even a bit. Imran Khan kidnaps Minissha and then he tells her "meinne tumhe kidnap kiya"..ohhh f thats like the most hillarious dialogues in the movie. And it seems more like some Vacation in Bali rather than a Kidnap. I shouldnt even waste ur precious time, writing about this nonsense.

This past few days have been a roller coaster in so many ways, especially the past weekend...was just so मस्त . Nope I dont think I wanna explain anything right now. I think I shall cut short this post here for now, coz (1) someone I knw, wants me to go buy 3 roses for someone else. and (2) actually theres nothing to write...actually theres lots, but then dunno when I should write it...Oh f...wat a state of confusion...Wat it teez..!!? :) Yes I know this past line atleast made one person smile...

Oh btw...thank u all for reading the previous post and putting comments up. And for those who wanted to know the pending story...well the story is still in pending stage only...so what do i say :)

Next post shud be up on Monday and thats gonna be called "Pichle Saath Dinom Mein". Ohh btw am on a GM diet this week (which prolly explains the title of the next topic), so kinda very tired to even think and no strength to type. haha. Yup I do know that this post doesnt sound like one of my regular posts, but kindly do excuse. Minds blank. Dont want it to remain that way. Like Shakespeare says " Theres loads to do before I sleep"

Back from hibernation...

I jus realised that its been a while, since I have actually put up a post and am feeling extremely sleepy today, so decided that I would sit and write a post today. Hopefully I am able to write something interesting, so as to atleast keep myself awake, if not anything else.

So lets see what all I have been upto for the past couple of weeks, ever since my last post on Chrome. Oh btw...Chrome is pretty neat actually. It loads things much faster...the only hitch is that facebook doesnt load properly on chrome..but hey who said that the world was perfect...!! What all have I done in the recent past...hmmm...lets see...I went and saw Journey to the Centre of the Earth...pretty much a bore, the only saving grace was that being in 3D and hence some fun watching. Not seen any other movie that would deserve a review from my end, hence no posts on that front. Oh ya I had been to Ahmedabad in between for my cuzn's engagement (Congrats Roshan and Nishi - u guys make a great couple). Was a refreshing change to be away from Chennai for a while...sad part was that the "while" only lasted about 4 days. Went to Ahmedabad via Mumbai. Met up with an office colleague at Mumbai, we hung out at some CCD at Andheri. The CCD's and Barista's are now becoming like kiddie joints. All these school kids...with way too much money to waste, with 1-2 iphone's EACH (wat the f...why do u need 2 iphones...I dont seem to get)..there was this girl there...who was dressed up in full pink...i mean her salwar, kurta, headgear, wallet, shoes and even her nail polish were all in pink...If she goes to Jaipur, I am sure people wont spot her on the streets :) What freaking fashion sense is this...

Anywayz the journey from Mumbai to Ahmedabad was fab...met this wonderful person on the way. Atleast we were not jus that safar ke saathi...am glad that even after 10 days we are in touch...and that such a short span of time has bought 2 totally diverse characters so close to each other...i guess its to do with our Mallu Connection...!! :) I will intro her someother time in the blog...but for starters...hmm well when me and my cousin landed up at Borivili station to catch our Gujarat bound train. In midst of all the noise and the hawkers in the station...there she was [This part of the blog has been sponsored by the makers of RACE - Pehli Nazar ne Kaisa Jaadu kar diya...Tera Ban Baitha hain Mera Jiya...Jane Kya Hoga, Kya Hoga Kya Pata...Is Pal Ko mil ke aa Jee Le Zara] [Click here to watch the song, if you havent heard of it] so like I was saying there she was...the only "hariyali" in the station :) (does that sound gross..!! naah i dont think so...anywayz I think I have her permission on this). But being the only hariyali in the station...junta on the entire platform itself was watching her..but me and my cuzn MORE than watching her, were watching the others who were watching her...and ohhh boy it was way to funny..!! Whenever I have travelled in trains, I always end up sharing the coupe with old men or kids who like run all over the place..screaming and crying...and I didnt expect anything different this time around...esp knowing it was an Ahmedabad bound train. Anywayz cutting short the details, and as luck played its part she happened to share the very next berth in our coach. After about 45 mins into the journey, our madam here..very sweetly asks "What time does the train reach Ahmedabad"...and the rest they say, is history :D

Time at Ahmedabad fly by pretty quickly...all the pre-engagement formalities...the engagement function etc., Loved the engagement dinner...wow the sweets were awesome. Ahmedabad is freaking hot...I mean I kept complaining Chennai was hot...but compared to Ahmd, Chennai seems so better. As a city, I think Ahmedabad rox slightly...the malls...the multiplexes...Gujju's are 1 vibrant bunch...everything is fine...except the fact that its a dry city and u dont get nonveg at will. I mean for a staunch Catholic like me, life without nonveg is difficult..!! :P Anywayz like all journeys have to come to an end...short vacation over...!! :( back to chennai and back to work. And ya then I got food poisoned. Freak I slept in the loo for like a whole day...!! 

Thats it for now...I have a meeting now that wud prolly decide my fate in the company...so I shall go and prepare for that. I promise to update the blog more often now. 

Chrome is here

This is gonna be a small quick post...

Sat up...till 1am just to download a software...hahah...I dont even rem sitting up for exams like this. Anywayz with all the hoopla around Google Chrome, I thought lemme sit up till 11am PDT to download Chrome...and voila I guess I am one of the first few in India to download it...thank u...thank u...

This isnt a review of Chrome, as I havent as yet got time to go thru all its functionalities...looks similar to Opera in a way...atleast thats an initial reaction of mine. But it looks good, feels much lighter...does not have too many buttons/navigation toolbar like IE...most importantly it didnt take ages to load like IE or MF...

Initially yes, it will some hazaar bugs...but then atleast its a good step in the right direction to reduce monopoly created by some.

Anywayz for those who wish to download it...Click HERE.

Goodnite...and sweetdreams...and I will get back to playing with Chrome for sometime.

Rock On!! - Review

To all who dropped me emails and comments saying that they enjoyed reading my first review...thank u so much. And also sorry to all those who dropped me stinker sms's asking me when the Rock On review would be up...well although I saw the movie yesterday afternoon, I guess I was just too bored to sit up and write a review...Anywayz here I am writing this one, dont think it would be as detailed as the previous one...firstly having a very bad headache...and secondly its way too late on sunday night...and monday morning blues are already striking me.

Before I start the review, let me confess, I am not a rock fan. So I had quite a bit of apprehension while heading out for the movie, but then went along, coz went with quite a group, so even if the movie went bad..we would have a good time making fun of it. But 10 minutes into the movie, all my apprehensions left me.

Anywayz getting to the review..The story is about 4 friends (i presume from college) with varied backgrounds, but who come together for a common interest, ie music. The quartet form the band Magik. Aditya (Farhan Akhtar), KD (Purab Kohli), Joe (Arjun Rampal) and Rob (Luke Kenny). The band reaches its pinnacle of success, by winning a competition and they get signed on by a major channel. But fate had its way and due to ego hassles, the band sees a premature closure. Ten years pass and each have gone their own ways and hardly kept in touch. Adi is now an investment banker, married to Sakshi (Prachi Desai) and lives in house which looks wow..!! (how I wish I had a house, half of that). KD works in his fathers jewellery shop. Rob does music sessions with Anu Malik (I presume they are doing jingles for advts), but Joe seems to be stuck where he was. He runs a guitar shop, takes guitar classes for the neighbourhood kids, sits with his guitar all the time like a failed musician, and his wife Debbie (Sahana Goswami) keeps yelling all over the place. Now fate (in the form of Sakshi), conspires them to come together for the one last time, to achieve the success that Magik had left behind.

The major premise of the story is pretty much predictable. You would know whats gonna happen next. But then, its this simplicity of the movie, that manages to hold you to your seat. Most reviews would say its a fault in the story and the screenplay, but ya for laymen like me...its just simplicity in the story. Performances wise...hardly anyone in the movie act. They all seem to be living their parts. Farhan Akhtar whose proved himself as a director, now proves himself as an actor. As a singer, well I guess he could probably just sing for himself, but cant make a career of it. Arjun Rampal would probably would have just done the best role of his career, and with that long hair of his, he totally looks like a rockstar. Purab and Luke are fine too. Prachi Desai in her debut vehicle, hardly has much of role...rather than to smile around. But with that cute lil face, who would wanna complain..although her character oozes with confidence. Shahana Goswani is a revelation. She plays one of the most difficult roles in the film, and she does a fab job of it...!! I wasnt that impressed with Shankar Ehsaan Loy's music when it was released on audio (rem I said I aint a rock fan)...but then it has been so wonderfully blended with the movie, that actually had me tapping my feet at the theatre.

ROCK ON!! is not just about music. Its about relationships. And relationships can get really complicated and messy as all of us wud agree. ROCK ON!! captures it so beautifully, so sensitively and so effectively on celluloid. (this para...is from some other review, sorry dont remember the review to mention the source. Yes the rest of it is my own words).

ROCK ON!! just goes on to prove that if you have a dream, work towards it...however long it would take. Watch this movie for an instant high and an instant feel good once your done with the movie. This is a coming of age movie (did u ever expect Javed Akhtar writing rock lyrics), and shows that Bollywood at the end of the day, is not just abt running around trees. Now that am done with the movie, I would still say that am not a rock fan...but seriously a fan of ROCK ON..!!

Mumbai Meri Jaan - Movie Review

मुंबई मेरी जान

On July 11, 2006, Mumbai's lifeline – the local trains, were struck by a series of bomb blasts, that ripped apart not just the trains, but the minds and hearts of every Mumbaiker. Mumbai Meri Jaan (MMJ) follows the lives of people from all strata of society as they each tackle the aftermath of this incident and which brings out the best and worst out of each person.

Nishikant Kamat's first Hindi film is one of those films that do not deviate from the issue on hand. Although I sat and saw his first movie, i.e. Dombivli Fast (Marathi) and remade as Evano Oruvan (Tamil)...(I didn’t understand each one fully)...but then Kamat was always a director to watch out for, and he truly doesn’t disappoint. When I first saw the promo of this film, along with Singh is Kinng, I totally knew this would be one movie that would be a treat to watch. Click here to watch the promo.

Synopsys - As mentioned earlier, MMJ talks about the after effects of the blasts and, MMJ thru 5 individually woven stories, brings out the deepest and darkest emotions out of people. Although the movie recreates the incident, one of the best parts is that, MMJ doesn’t go about preaching about terrorism and who a terrorist is, why does one become a terrorist etc., Such details which we have seen over and over again on celluloid have been carefully avoided. The movie discovers the brunt of this incident thru the lives of 6 main characters.

1) Nikhil (Madhavan) plays a role similar to what each one of us is. A corporate executive who pays his taxes, goes home to his wife but unlike many doesn’t feel like running off to foreign shores, until the blasts make him look at life a little differently.
2) Rupali (Soha Ali Khan) a top journalist with a news channel. Kamat should be lauded for wonderfully scripting this segment, that goes to show what the media does today..exploit every situation just to gain TRP's.
3) Suresh (Kay Kay Menon) who is an extremist by his own means and who tends to have a suspicious outlook towards the minority community, and who believes that everyone from this community is a terrorist .
4) Thomas (Irfan Khan) who plays a slum-dweller from Tamil Nadu and whose job by day is to watch the lifestyles of the rich; and becomes a tea seller by night.
5) Thukram Patil (Paresh Rawal) is a senior constable with the Mumbai police who is a week away from retirement and his junior, Sunil Kadam (Vijay Maurya) who is just not able to stand the injustice and the corruption that is deep rooted within the police system.

How each one's attitude changes during the course of the movie, is what MMJ is all about. Of the entire cast, Irfan's piece is one of the best. Although in the entire movie, he probably just speaks one line of proper Hindi, his performance thoroughly brings out the anguish and the sorrow of the common man, who is suffering to make both ends meet. The films strongest track according to me, would probably be that of the 2 constables. Their dialogues and scenes probably give the film its most striking moments. Each actor is a revelation in this movie, especially Soha Ali Khan. She is one person who I thought couldn’t act for nuts (maybe I am being judgemental, haven’t seen too many of her movies either). Kay Kay Menon is FAB in his role as an unemployed youth who looks down on another community in every possible way, he makes his part appear so real. Madhavan (who seems to have gained weight) thru his facial expressions shows the fear that each one of us have been thru at some point. Vijay Maurya (had to do some Google search to find his name) is an actor to watch out for..great sense of timing.

As a viewer, it wouldn't be right..If I don’t mention certain scenes in the movies that I thought were really touching and left some goosebumps.

Paresh Rawal telling his subordinate - "police force mein rone ka nahi. jab rona aata hai, toilet jaane ka, aur pishaab karne ka hai" This line acts as a metaphor to the pissed-off attitude of an average-troubled citizen, about which he chooses to do nothing. (this last line is not mine, I think Indiatimes is the source).
Another dialogue where he says "Mumbai mein sirf picture dekhne ka, acting nahi karne ka". It is this attitude of a regular Indian that the picture wishes to show.
And there’s this one scene where Rupali's boss and her colleague walk on her reflection on the floor, which kinda goes ahead to prove that, each person leaves an imprint in our lives, be it a negative or a positive one. There are many more much scenes, but then writing any more would be as good as replicating the script here, and that would fail me as a reviewer.

MMJ is not path breaking cinema, but it’s a movie for people who appreciate a good script. Watch it for its spirit and performances. This is not your regular off the mill masala movie with songs and a romantic track, but the problem with such movies is that, the audiences are limited to just multiplexes. The best part of the movie is that it doesn’t try to be judgemental. It jus talks about two sides of a coin, each one can’t be separated from the other.

As I end my first review, I am forced to revisit my first line, where I wrote the blasts ripped thru the hearts and minds of Mumbaikers...each character in the movie tackles their issues in different ways. And at the end of it all, each one moves on in life। The movie is a tribute to the never dying spirit of the wonderful city...and hence the name - Mumbai Meri Jaan.

Do check out the movie's website...very well done. CLICK HERE TO TAKE U THERE.

Confusion...confusion...

I had actually wanted the 2nd topic of the blog to talk about myself, my life and my relationships (yup I intend to open the pandora’s box)..but then I ended up watching 2 movies over this weekend...Mumbai Meri Jaan and Maan Gaye Mughal E Azam. Mumbai Meri Jaan moved me so much, that I decided that I would write its review. Movie reviewing has always been like a passion to me, and many have told me to look at it professionally (hahah...joke right)...anywayz getting back to the point...the review would be up in a few hours...the second movie Mughal E Azam..its not even worth a review...total trash...!! Anywayz now that my confusion is cleared...here I embark in writing my first review...!!

As usual a disclaimer - I am not a professional reviewer (atleast as of now)...What I would write would probably be my first review, and definitely not the last. Do put in your comments on where I went wrong. Yes I do tend to write long, so thats not something I can avoid. I also hope not to give out much about the movie. And please do tell me, if I have bored you. Not that I can do much abt it...but ya...can always try :)

Am finally here...phew..!!

As the title aptly here...AM FINALLY HERE...!! Although I joined up on Blogspot sometime in Dec 07...It took me like 9 months to actually sit and create a blog and type my thoughts here. In the whole while, 2 people kept telling me that I should start off, and that my nonsenical (ya that would wud be added soon to Webster) writing skills are like fab..so i should waste no time with regard to blog...so here I am..!! (Oh ya thank u Gattu and Adita)

Like the title suggests, this blog wont contain some high end theoretical thesis leading to my PHd or some major research into industry sectors. It jus going to be some light reading..aka random thoughts from within...on life...ok ok i wont get philosophical either. Ohh ya how can i forget...I am also gonna review movies, always been one of my biggest passions. Anywayz thats about it for now, am feeling sleepy. So adios and watch this space...I guess next I would write about a 100kg ka bhoj that this earth has been holding on to..for so long.

Oh wait wait...before I go...a lil disclaimer...whatever you find here, is just some thoughts of mine. Unfortunately I am not paid to write all this. And any resemblances that you may find here, are purely intentional..!! :) but ya no offence meant to anyone.