The gift of the Maggi -O. Henry

   As an outgoing 20-something, I am doing everything that an individual of my age should be doing except for drinking, smoking and dating. I am adept at making both long term and short term plans which have a 70% probability of failing but I like to live in the uncertainty of that 30% because hey, I would prefer my future to be unpredictable. As I grew up, I was always haunted by the thought that once a girl learns to cook, she is ready for marriage. Hence I ended up not learning one of the most useful skills of adulthood when I should have. My mom wouldn’t cook Maggi for me as per my will, hence I learnt how to cook it for myself (as an afterthought I feel, my mom could have used this ingenious technique for making me cook a host of other dishes).

*

*

*I trusted the internet to find an equivalent for the spiritual feeling that I have for Maggi.

  For those of you who don’t know (here, I am addressing my audience from the countries like China, Japan, South Bombay, Bandra who live on a diet of Wai Wai noodles) Maggi, is a brand of instant noodles which takes a little more than 2 minutes to cook. I don’t remember the exact moment when my taste glands were smitten by its very presence, but I guess it was around the time when I didn’t know how to spell or pronounce ‘Maggi’. Since the last few years, Maggi has been my constant companion for lonely nights and crowded evenings.

   Just like every popular person has their set of haters, every silver lining has a cloud and every sugar cube has ants swarming around it, even Maggi had its set of controversies. They condemned Maggi by stating that it has lead content in it which is harmful for health. I have consumed so much Maggi over the years that ideally the iron content in my blood should have been replaced by lead by now. Had that been the case then my fingers would have done the writing and I won’t have to use a pencil anymore! But that didn’t deter me and other loyal consumers of Maggi from consuming it.

   I am the kind of person who when is introduced to something new, over uses it so much that I stop using it altogether (that’s the case with dishes, music, people and  the list goes on). Maggi, I fail to understand how you have managed to keep me hooked to you since ages. You amaze my taste buds and mind. I aspire to be a writer, lover, individual like you- addictive and irreplaceable.

  

    

Mirzya- Movie Review

A wannabe Shakespearean tale, making too much ado about nothing.

    Given the nature of the film, love birds  were seated all  around me in the theater. As the opening credits rolled in, a couple seated beside me couldn’t stop whispering sweet nothings to each other. Since I was more interested in watching the on-screen love story unfold rather than the off-screen, I politely asked them to shut up.  I couldn’t really blame them though when half of the theater got emptied even before the climax rolled in.

Mirzya is essentially about two lovers who struggle against all odds just to be with each other. Usually, dialogues and music come to your rescue if your story doesn’t work the charm. But in the case of Mirzya, the story is very commonplace; it has got nothing new to offer you.  Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra (director) wanted to give the film the look of a fantasy, in which he only partially succeeded.  Out of the many things that worked well for the film were its visuals which are bang on. I don’t know if the debutants would get any offers hereafter, but the art directors and graphic designers are bound to get some good work soon. If not anything else, the film managed to convey one universal message successfully- love is selfish. Harshavardhan Kapoor looks promising and partly charming, if I may say. I only struggled to like Saiyami Kher throughout the film, all in vain. If Harshavardhan’s opening dialogue would take you into a tense scene, Saiyami’s careless retort (like she’s ordering a sandwich) would take you out of it. No wonder why they don’t have sufficient dialogues in the film. To talk about the chemistry between the two I would stop right here because there’s none. Be it their embraces or kisses for that matter, they do show the intimacy but passion is amiss. Apart from being a love story, Mirzya also claims to be a 'musical'. The music is only good as long as it is the background score of the film. It definitely isn’t something that you would take home with you like you did with musicals like Ek deewana tha (2012) or Aashiqui 2 (2013).

     All in all, Mirzya’s aim to be the epic fantasy of all times will remain a dream (ironical much?)
I would rate the film- 1 star.

Permanent Roommates- webseries REVIEW.

                                                                                  Genre- Sitcom                                                                                      2 seasons- 7+7 episodes
                                                             Time duration- 55min each

                                                             Written by- Biswapati Sarkar.

“Indian series? Mujhe toh Naagin pata hai.
 Web series? Wannabe Game of thrones hai kya?
 Accha utna sadist nahi toh wannabe FRIENDS? Accha wesa nahi hai?
 Indian series hoke Balaji is not the producer WHATTT?
TVF kaun hai yaar, AIB ki branch hai koi?

When students go abroad for studies, they leave with a suitcase filled with hopes of their parents and hearts of their lovers (also daadi ke Aachaar ka dabba.) More than India’s economy, high school lovers are the ones to be worst hit by this constant brain drain from India. While some hearts are left back at the check-in counter of the airport, a few of them do make it to the foreign country.
Everybody knows about the insecurities and ‘skyping’ phase associated with long distance relationships. But what happens once this ‘long distance’ ceases to exist between a relationship? TVF’s answer to this question- Permanent roommates.
Web series as a medium in India is currently in its inception phase and is catching up quite a rage. Permanent Roommates- a third kind of love story as they fondly call it, ironically is the kind that takes you away from the fairy tales and brings you back to the reality which is not that bad after all. I say that because there is not one character in the series who doesn’t remind you of someone from your life.
Be it Mikesh’s father- who reminds you of that distant happy-go-lucky uncle of yours,

Or Tiwari- who acts innocent- is cunning- still dumb- but is helpful.

Or Leo- who once lived off his girlfriend’s chillar but later formed a ridiculously huge empire of his own.

Or Tanya- practical and composed she might be, but still ends up falling for someone exhibiting neither of these virtues.

The web series has dealt with the after effects of a long distance relationship really well. A long distance relationship sometimes works not because of the love, but because of it being a safe haven for the couples who can’t actually deal with each other in real life. Ironically, conflict happens when the couple actually starts living together. And this point is exactly where Permanent Roommates gives its important message-
“You don’t always need to be practical. Sometimes you need to be hopelessly romantic for a relationship to maintain its charm.”
With the catchy one liners, out of the world plot twists and innovative use of characters, the writers maintain a grip on the viewers through their constant humor. Permanent Roommates is among the precious pieces of entertainment where the story is the actual hero; no over the top acting or useless drama.
A series can capture your mind for a relatively prolonged period of time depending upon its content. Having done said that, I can effectively say that Permanent Roommates won’t be a waste of your time and internet speed. Go watch it if you haven’t already.

I would rate it- 4.5/5

CONJURING 2- Movie review

    Since time immemorial horror flicks have used the tried and tested cliché, that the 'shy' ghost decides to show itself only to that one person (preferably the youngest and naïvest) whose claims are bound to get dismissed by his friends. The revelation of a presence of that ghost to everyone is considered either as the climax or the end of the film. Story and Direction wise James Wan has been clear in his approach to staying away from this cliché by keeping the ghosts in conjuring 2 as 'bold' and beautiful. *grins*

Conjuring 2, thankfully doesn't use any cheap thrills or scare tactics to make you panic every now and then. What it offers you instead, is a TERROR that builds up as the story progresses.

There is something specifically attractive about a horror flick, which apart from giving the essential 'WOAHs' 'OMGs',  has got a substantive plot to offer you as well. That way you are ensured that if not the chills and screams, it at least gives you a story to ruminate on.
Another interesting aspect about Conjuring and Conjuring 2 is that, although the movies aren't connected to each other as far as the plot is concerned, there is a certain reason why events happen the way they do and a kind of link is established.
The climax would still make sense even if you don't try to figure out the link. Although reasoning out the climax by linking it to the previous film would leave you astounded.
Simply put, Conjuring leaves you with certain questions unanswered in your mind; conjuring 2 answers all of them IF you pay close attention. *winks*
To talk about the negative aspect of the film, there are certain scenes which don't make any sense with respect to the plot of the film. But again, you can always consider them as those questions to be answered in the next film.

If you are someone who is going to the film expecting your lover to hold your hand and scream and shout every now and then, maybe it is not the right film for you.
Verdict- I am never watching a horror flick in a theater again.
Oh I mean, 4.5

Movie Review- Phobia

Phobia.

-By Pawan Kripalani

You are all alone in a room. A dark, noiseless, spooky room. You suddenly start feeling cold, but that doesn’t bother you because you are occupied by your thoughts. The feeling of numbness engulfs you. You are about to fall deeper into that abyss when suddenly something taps you on your shoulder. You answer to that tap by looking beside you. You suddenly spring back to life realizing that it is your sister tapping on your shoulder, urging you to get up and exit the cinema hall, because even the end credits roll of the movie Phobia has ended.

Oh wait. That was about me and I wasn’t intending to explain what the word ‘phobia’ is all about. The movie will do that job better.

    Phobia, literally means ‘an irrational fear of something.’ Depending on the environment and surroundings and with the increasing population, different kinds phobia have developed overtime. Agoraphobia (fear of open public spaces) is the one which Mehek (Radhika Apte) deals with in the film.

    In the past as well, Bollywood has released movies dealing with medically generated conditions. While some of them like Paa (Progeria), Tamasha (Depression), Taare Zameen Par (Autism) went well with the audience, the others like Margarita with a straw (Cerebral Palsy) failed miserably at the box office. Although Phobia belongs to this sphere of Bollywood dealing with medical conditions, but the treatment given to it is what sets it apart from the rest of them.

    The entire film is shot in one single house. The movie has clearly steered away from using any bombarding horror music, clowns in hideous make-ups, to portray the existence of non-existent horror. The movie has kept the concept of agoraphobia original, and it has revolved around the life and experiences of the person (i.e Mehek) who suffers from the same. Still, the movie gives you the requisites of any horror film like ‘the chills’, the occasional gasps and goosebumps (a lot of them). Radhika Apte has put in a lot in terms of acting for this film and for that she definitely deserves a standing ovation. Another person worthy of an applause is the DOP (Jayakrishna Gummadi) who by his cinematography has made sure that the viewers altogether don’t develop claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) by viewing the same room for 2 hours!

         The movie is a must watch for anyone who is in for a psychological thriller. It is definitely not for the ones who are expecting an ensemble cast of ghosts wrapped in white cloths and skeletons doing all sorts of things from screaming to doing Bharatnatyam.

Rating- 4.5 star

Character I would have liked to play- Mehek.

MOVIE REVIEW

Sairat
-Directed by Nagraj Manjule.

Gazed unabashedly,
Loved unabashedly.
Fought for love.
Didn’t even flinch once before pointing a gun at the lover’s enemy.
Took responsibility of lover’s life.

It is always the hero who usually does all the above mentioned things in a typical Indian film, right?
Right.
What if I tell you that I know a film in which a HEROINE does all that for a hero and much more but it doesn’t even look one bit odd?

    ‘Sairat’ meaning ‘wild’ in Marathi, literally suggests the core nature of the film. Right from the badass heroine Archie (Rinku Rajguru)to her adorable lover Parshya (Akash Thosar) and their lovestory, everything about the film is wild. 
Typically set against a rural backdrop whose language is raw, the film tells the story of two lovers, and their struggle to protect their love against all odds. The conflict and the overall story make it sound like typical film doesn't it? Why would a typical regional film like this made by some Marathi director whose last name isn't Scorsese, Kashyap or for that matter Hirani, gain international acclaim and national awards? Simple answer- Because it is REAL. The rawness of reality has been maintained in each and every aspect of the film including the language. Having done said that, let me make this clear to you that the movie isn't another boring piece of cinema which is supposed to be intellectual and great only because the critics say so. Sairat has got everything that makes a film worth watching- drama, bloodshed, love, songs (SUPER AMAZING) and conflict. That is the beauty of Sairat- even if you are left amazed, you cannot say that "it's only a film and all this doesn't happen in real life." Be it the happy or the sorrowful parts, even if they haven't been necessarily experienced by you, you know that those actually happen, in reality.
     
    Go for Sairat, even if you don't understand Marathi. The film           speaks louder than its words, literally. 
    P.S- English Subtitles me grammar mistakes bhi nahi hai. :P


   I rate the film- 5/5
   Character I would have liked to play- Archie, without any doubt.

BOOK REVIEW.

1984- George Orwell.
Genre- Utopian and Dystopian fiction.

     Since time immemorial, humans have yearned to learn about the future in the present itself. That is because, there is a certain kind of curiosity attached with the knowledge of the future owing to it’s mysterious nature. Now don’t you think that someone might have already cracked this mystery? A certain person could have predicted the future of the mankind just right?

  

 Eminent scientists like Einstein and Stephen Hawkings had predicted the takeover of artificial intelligence over the natural. Orwell in this book, has tried to express the same worry through a story- such unpredictable and much alluring. 

    Now imagine a world, where every movement of yours is recorded. There is a certain someone/something keeping a watch on everything that you do day and night. You are not even left alone for a moment. This world, where the Tele screen (which keeps a watch on you) is the reality and the concept of ‘privacy’ is passé. Now to give you an idea of how the tele screen works, you can take the reference of the reality shows- Big Boss and Big Brother; only difference is that you don’t get any brownie points for living a life like that. You have to live like that under constant surveillance, so that you obey every order of the ultimate figure in authority- The Big Brother. The only person to whom you can show any love, loyalty or respect is the big brother, whose existence by the way isn’t specified but isn’t questioned either. Now would you survive in a world like that? Let me answer that for you- You certainly won’t. But guess what the catch is? You will have to live anyway,

      The Big Brother is the focusing point for love, reverence, and emotions. Below him, comes the inner party- number limited to 6 million. And below that, comes the Outer Party. If the Inner Party can be regarded as the ‘brain’ of the state, then the Outer Party might as well be referred to as it’s hands. And the speck of dust at the feet of this structure, can be regarded as the Proles- the relatively submissive and ‘dumb’ section consisting of 85% of the entire population.

     Winston Smith, the protagonist of the story is one such rebel who wishes to gain his freedom. According to him, “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two equals to four. If that is granted, all else follows.” All he wanted was a world in which he could live the way he wished to, without facing any objection. He believed that he could construct a world like that for himself by using his luck, cunningness and boldness. Now what lies at his receiving end- success or failure? That is something you ponder on while reading the story, whose answer you get only by the end.

    Why should you read this book?

-One can assert complete control over you and your life by keeping a track of everything that you do. That is the underlying philosophy practiced by the Big Brother and his party. In today’s world where our likes and dislikes, transactions, whereabouts can be tracked by technology easily, we surely have a reason to worry. It won’t be long until the idea of Big Brother is incorporated not only in reality TV shows, but in our real life too. You never know! *grins*

Overall, I would rate the book 4/5.