I just have to have to go to Ladakh sometime. sooner than later. was planning last year, but the timing was wrong, Rohtang pass remains closed in May. this year too it dint work out, the timing was alrite, but i dint have enuf time. and no company!
A friend had just been there. Alone! adore him for that. and he just sent across the pics. they look awesum. better than the pics Id seen before. Ladakh is so colourful; yet there are not many colours, just 2 infact, blue and brown. The sky is blue. not azure, but blue. and the lakes, they are like gigantic mirrors. and in between there is brown. miles of brown. miles of nothingness. rocks, sand, pebbles, all brown!! It's like uve entered a painting, not that of an expert, no skill, no finesse. a kid's painting; just took the tubes and sprayed them across the canvas. got the shades all wrong too.. simple, innocent, naive!
I just have to go there!
22.8.07
14.8.07
Information
If you know things that others dont, dark things, bad things, things that are twisted and gnarled, you have value. You have the greens and you have the power. Why else do you think the investment banks are so powerful. If I tell you that the oil industry is what it is today because a few investment banks want it to be so, it would sound incredible. They are the Barbarians at the Gate, guarding your destiny of corporate existence. And you thought it was all about how innovative your firm's strategy is!
Information flows very slowly. And as it flows further downstream, it loses value. The earlier you capture it, the richer you are. By the time you and I go long based on the information available in the public domain, those smart people there are selling the same assets and raking in all the moolah!
So the bottomline is: You dont need capital. You dont need foresight. You dont need to have that elusive business idea that would create wealth for you or thousands of people around you. All you need to be is smart to read between the lines or to have the right contacts.
Information flows very slowly. And as it flows further downstream, it loses value. The earlier you capture it, the richer you are. By the time you and I go long based on the information available in the public domain, those smart people there are selling the same assets and raking in all the moolah!
So the bottomline is: You dont need capital. You dont need foresight. You dont need to have that elusive business idea that would create wealth for you or thousands of people around you. All you need to be is smart to read between the lines or to have the right contacts.
1.8.07
Sepia and Chai, early morning.
After a night out completing the BizVal project, I was only too tired and sleepy to accompany fellow wingies to the roadside 'tapri' for an early morning session of chai, 'Gugni' and 'bakar'. However, I reluctantly agreed and I am glad I did.
0530 in Calcutta is more the 0630 in Bombay. Being out so early after such a long time actually made me a bit nostalgic. The whiff of fresh morning air, the tinge of humidity in the air and the pale blue of the sky were reminiscent of those summer days of lining up at the first sight of dawn at the cycle shop for the best cycle, the one that had 14 painted on it OR of waking up early on 1st day of vacations, which also coincided with the South Indian New Year and making a morning trip to the temple with friends.
The subsidized chai was refreshing accompanied with some typical B school glob. Gugni with 'Anda pav' lived up to its expectation of being one of the most edible dishes in and around campus. The hordes of tapris, the numerous cyclists and cycle rickshaw pullers, the Ambassadors lined up at the taxi stand and the blue KMC buses zooming past at the DH road made an ideal setting for the creative mind. What ensued was an impromptu photo shoot, of experimentation with light, with angles, with still and moving objects and with 'Sepia' and 'Black and White'.
Then the slow walk back and much awaited sleep, not before uploading some of the pics on your orkut profile.
0530 in Calcutta is more the 0630 in Bombay. Being out so early after such a long time actually made me a bit nostalgic. The whiff of fresh morning air, the tinge of humidity in the air and the pale blue of the sky were reminiscent of those summer days of lining up at the first sight of dawn at the cycle shop for the best cycle, the one that had 14 painted on it OR of waking up early on 1st day of vacations, which also coincided with the South Indian New Year and making a morning trip to the temple with friends.
The subsidized chai was refreshing accompanied with some typical B school glob. Gugni with 'Anda pav' lived up to its expectation of being one of the most edible dishes in and around campus. The hordes of tapris, the numerous cyclists and cycle rickshaw pullers, the Ambassadors lined up at the taxi stand and the blue KMC buses zooming past at the DH road made an ideal setting for the creative mind. What ensued was an impromptu photo shoot, of experimentation with light, with angles, with still and moving objects and with 'Sepia' and 'Black and White'.
Then the slow walk back and much awaited sleep, not before uploading some of the pics on your orkut profile.
No decision is absolutely rational!
His lectures started getting monotonous. It seemed that there was a pattern to all his analyses. The discussions seemed too black and white and predictable. While at the start, one would dare not miss any of his classes, now the numbers were dwindling and class participation was dropping exponentially. The word was that D, considered one of the profs here, was too rigid with his point of view.
But it all changed today. Today's was easily his best case discussion. Not many would agree with me though, because most of them were dozing away towards utopia. For them, I would really reiterate what one B here, who has a penchant for Quotable Quotes once said, "you are sleeping over your career, Mister!" B has enough substance to form the subject of one long post. But more on him later. BTW, D himself is well known for his 'Hall of Fame' dialogues, though they all sounded like cliches to me, until now. But some of his quotes today were vintage. "No decision is absolutely rational", ''Better work with known devils, than dark horses" and "skill is acquired, competence is applied' to name a few. His take that if you want to ignore power and politics in corporations and not be part of the rat race, better join an NGO although a bit radical, made a lot of sense; Politics exit in organizations, infact it exists in every walk of life. That cases are not to have solutions only discussions shows that there is certain flexibilty to his rigidity.
But it all changed today. Today's was easily his best case discussion. Not many would agree with me though, because most of them were dozing away towards utopia. For them, I would really reiterate what one B here, who has a penchant for Quotable Quotes once said, "you are sleeping over your career, Mister!" B has enough substance to form the subject of one long post. But more on him later. BTW, D himself is well known for his 'Hall of Fame' dialogues, though they all sounded like cliches to me, until now. But some of his quotes today were vintage. "No decision is absolutely rational", ''Better work with known devils, than dark horses" and "skill is acquired, competence is applied' to name a few. His take that if you want to ignore power and politics in corporations and not be part of the rat race, better join an NGO although a bit radical, made a lot of sense; Politics exit in organizations, infact it exists in every walk of life. That cases are not to have solutions only discussions shows that there is certain flexibilty to his rigidity.
25.6.07
.. and one more
7. The brave and the beautiful men beside me
were running into the guns... it was
glorious, if glory is a magnificent and
raptured exaltation.
It was what love would be like,
if love was a sin
It was what music would be,
if music could kill you
were running into the guns... it was
glorious, if glory is a magnificent and
raptured exaltation.
It was what love would be like,
if love was a sin
It was what music would be,
if music could kill you
quotable Quotes
1. If u have to ask the question,
u have no right to the answer
2. the real trick in life is to want nothing
and to suceed in getting it
3. A lot of stuff in the world
wasnt really that bad,
until someone tried to change it
4. Wisdom is just cleverness,
with all the guts kicked out of it
I'd be clever than wise, any day
5. No man is as cool as he looks
6. Every city in the world,
has a village in its heart
u have no right to the answer
2. the real trick in life is to want nothing
and to suceed in getting it
3. A lot of stuff in the world
wasnt really that bad,
until someone tried to change it
4. Wisdom is just cleverness,
with all the guts kicked out of it
I'd be clever than wise, any day
5. No man is as cool as he looks
6. Every city in the world,
has a village in its heart
24.4.07
Semi Finals again
Its the World Cup semi-final time again.. for some reason the semi finals have almost always been more thrilling affairs than the finals.. over the years WC semi finals have seen some of the most unforgettable matches.
I have vague memories of India losing the 1987 Reliance cup semis to England, when Sunny Gavaskar, who played so well against New Zealand, got out early. However, I distinctly remember the 1992 WC semis despite India not being a part of it. I remember this new team playing so well through out the tournament and some dreaded rule getting the better of them in the Semis.. at one moment it was 22 to get off 13 balls, at the other it was 22 off 1! I dont remember the other Semis though but it is the '92 finals that I still remember, where I had supported Pakistan and won a bet of Rs 2 with my Grandpa.
The next 4 years saw me become a blind Indian cricket fan, like any Indian kid of that age. I had witnessed the wonder kid Sachin Tendulkar develop into the Superstar. I cherished Indian wins on flat Indian tracks and condoned their impotency abroad. Before the 1996 World Cup, while experts talked about South Africa and Australia being the strongest contenders, I was silently confident about India's chances. So the league game loss to Australia at Wankhede was itself a heartbreak, let alone the semi finals.
The semi finals against Sri Lanka is firmly etched into my memory. India's nemisis from Kotla, Jayasuriya out in the 1st over, Aravinda D'silva exuding class at every shot, Roshan Mahanama dehydrating, Sachin and Manjrekar making the chase look easy, Sachin getting stumped around his stumps by D'Silva, devils emerging suddenly from the Eden Gardens pitch, India's meek surrender and Vinod Kambli leaving the field in tears. The other semis I remember too. West Indies were cruising along. Then suddenly that magician Warne does one of his most famous acts, mesmerizing the West Indies.
1999 semis again had no India, owing to that despicable performance at Leister. But the semis were memorable nonetheless. Requiring 9 runs off the last over, Klusener slammed 2 boundaries off Fleming though extra cover. Needing 1 run off 3 balls, Alan Donald gettng stranded in the middle of the wicket must be one of the most haunting glimpses of One Day Cricket. In the other semis, Pakistan, the best team in the tournament by a margin eased past New Zealand, only to flatter to deceive in the finals
Well. 2003 was one edition where there weren't many surprises in the semis. Let us hope that the Semis this time live up to their reputation.
I have vague memories of India losing the 1987 Reliance cup semis to England, when Sunny Gavaskar, who played so well against New Zealand, got out early. However, I distinctly remember the 1992 WC semis despite India not being a part of it. I remember this new team playing so well through out the tournament and some dreaded rule getting the better of them in the Semis.. at one moment it was 22 to get off 13 balls, at the other it was 22 off 1! I dont remember the other Semis though but it is the '92 finals that I still remember, where I had supported Pakistan and won a bet of Rs 2 with my Grandpa.
The next 4 years saw me become a blind Indian cricket fan, like any Indian kid of that age. I had witnessed the wonder kid Sachin Tendulkar develop into the Superstar. I cherished Indian wins on flat Indian tracks and condoned their impotency abroad. Before the 1996 World Cup, while experts talked about South Africa and Australia being the strongest contenders, I was silently confident about India's chances. So the league game loss to Australia at Wankhede was itself a heartbreak, let alone the semi finals.
The semi finals against Sri Lanka is firmly etched into my memory. India's nemisis from Kotla, Jayasuriya out in the 1st over, Aravinda D'silva exuding class at every shot, Roshan Mahanama dehydrating, Sachin and Manjrekar making the chase look easy, Sachin getting stumped around his stumps by D'Silva, devils emerging suddenly from the Eden Gardens pitch, India's meek surrender and Vinod Kambli leaving the field in tears. The other semis I remember too. West Indies were cruising along. Then suddenly that magician Warne does one of his most famous acts, mesmerizing the West Indies.
1999 semis again had no India, owing to that despicable performance at Leister. But the semis were memorable nonetheless. Requiring 9 runs off the last over, Klusener slammed 2 boundaries off Fleming though extra cover. Needing 1 run off 3 balls, Alan Donald gettng stranded in the middle of the wicket must be one of the most haunting glimpses of One Day Cricket. In the other semis, Pakistan, the best team in the tournament by a margin eased past New Zealand, only to flatter to deceive in the finals
Well. 2003 was one edition where there weren't many surprises in the semis. Let us hope that the Semis this time live up to their reputation.
19.4.07
comely
stayin at home after a long time.. a snapshot of how things shud b.. playin the part of a good son.. visiting relatives with parents, running errands for mom and home to office and back without wandering elsewher..
.. and then there is this animal in shackles and in hibernation!
.. and then there is this animal in shackles and in hibernation!
5.4.07
India Blues
And like everything, even good 'teams' have to die.
Aint no sympathy when they say goodbye.
It has been the end of an era. The present Indian team had shown symptoms of a terminal illness for some time. The heartbreaking WC exit was just the death knell. However, despite all the anguish, it has to be said: this was possibly the best Indian team ever. Better than Wadekar's team that won in England and West Indies and better than Kapil's devils.
With the seeds sown in 2000 when Ganguly was made captain and John Wright the coach, it showed initial signs of greatness in 2001 by taking on Steve Waugh's bullies by their horns and taming them. The golden era of the Blues came in 2003, when they ended the World Cup as runners up, squared the series Down Under and defeated Pakistan on their home turf. Some of the best test wins overseas were scripted during their time: Headingley in 2002, Adelaide, Multan and Lahore in 2003, Jamaica and Johenasburg 2006 to name a few.
This team treaded on the brink of greatess so often. It is sad that they would always be remembered not for what they have achieved, but for what they could have.
Aint no sympathy when they say goodbye.
It has been the end of an era. The present Indian team had shown symptoms of a terminal illness for some time. The heartbreaking WC exit was just the death knell. However, despite all the anguish, it has to be said: this was possibly the best Indian team ever. Better than Wadekar's team that won in England and West Indies and better than Kapil's devils.
With the seeds sown in 2000 when Ganguly was made captain and John Wright the coach, it showed initial signs of greatness in 2001 by taking on Steve Waugh's bullies by their horns and taming them. The golden era of the Blues came in 2003, when they ended the World Cup as runners up, squared the series Down Under and defeated Pakistan on their home turf. Some of the best test wins overseas were scripted during their time: Headingley in 2002, Adelaide, Multan and Lahore in 2003, Jamaica and Johenasburg 2006 to name a few.
This team treaded on the brink of greatess so often. It is sad that they would always be remembered not for what they have achieved, but for what they could have.
Updates..
..more thn a yr of blogging... have come full circle - was on a Mirosoft project then, so I am now. btw.. the facility here is awesome.. pretty similar to, infact better than, Infy.
newez.. back in bbay for almost 3 weeks and after 9 months.. n nothings changed... this city just accepts me as its own. Infact only after a week did I realize abt the change in surroundings.. Waiting in a bus stop-it suddenly struck me tht this is no longer the dirty and crowded Behala Bypass, but the clean n plush Linking Road.
All the lost sleep at the End Terms and the Placements was regained in the 1st 2 weeks here, thru circumventing Dad's 'timetable' and too-busy-to-meet-up Friends.
BEST bus rides would always be the same, wont they. Took the 259 recently n down memory lane. Same old Indian Oil, n same old Bangur Nagar. Only in beween, the traffic clogged Malad Link Road near Lonkhandwala which had huge inchoate concrete strucures staring down its throat is now free flowing and is looked upon by expensive restaurants and lavish malls. India shining or not, Bombay is definitely iridescent.
And the 3rd term grades are out. My Joka grade ride has been a proper sine wave so far. Obtained a decent CG in Term1 only to be setback by all the Indian Social Structure and Behavioral Sciences Glob of Term2. Term 3 saw me claw it back a bit and I hope to end Term 4 at 90 degrees. Took me 1 yr of B Schooling to figure out tht Globing is not my cup of tea. HR n Mkting go out of the window. Fin is still goin strong, and Ops has suddenly made a special appearance.
Signing off
Ritz
newez.. back in bbay for almost 3 weeks and after 9 months.. n nothings changed... this city just accepts me as its own. Infact only after a week did I realize abt the change in surroundings.. Waiting in a bus stop-it suddenly struck me tht this is no longer the dirty and crowded Behala Bypass, but the clean n plush Linking Road.
All the lost sleep at the End Terms and the Placements was regained in the 1st 2 weeks here, thru circumventing Dad's 'timetable' and too-busy-to-meet-up Friends.
BEST bus rides would always be the same, wont they. Took the 259 recently n down memory lane. Same old Indian Oil, n same old Bangur Nagar. Only in beween, the traffic clogged Malad Link Road near Lonkhandwala which had huge inchoate concrete strucures staring down its throat is now free flowing and is looked upon by expensive restaurants and lavish malls. India shining or not, Bombay is definitely iridescent.
And the 3rd term grades are out. My Joka grade ride has been a proper sine wave so far. Obtained a decent CG in Term1 only to be setback by all the Indian Social Structure and Behavioral Sciences Glob of Term2. Term 3 saw me claw it back a bit and I hope to end Term 4 at 90 degrees. Took me 1 yr of B Schooling to figure out tht Globing is not my cup of tea. HR n Mkting go out of the window. Fin is still goin strong, and Ops has suddenly made a special appearance.
Signing off
Ritz
16.3.07
Early days.. late daze..
one year gone.. from Freshers to Jobbers..
parties simbly rock at Jokaland..
the clock on my lappy says 0637..
one vodka, Gawd knows ho many beer and this fuckin headache!!
all I ve gotta say is:
Aankh khuli to mid term aa gaya..
saath me danda laaya
pehle Finaac ch&*a.. fir Stats ch&*a..
BS ne bhi, maa ki le li
Doston ne RG ki, kauwo ne bhi na chodi!
Jokawalo, kya bataein, apne dil ki dastaanein
cheero.. n good nite
Ritz, signing off..
Jet lagged and drunk at IIM, Joka.
PS: the expletives-in-rhyme above are excerpts of the song, 'Early Days' by JBS BaroC
parties simbly rock at Jokaland..
the clock on my lappy says 0637..
one vodka, Gawd knows ho many beer and this fuckin headache!!
all I ve gotta say is:
Aankh khuli to mid term aa gaya..
saath me danda laaya
pehle Finaac ch&*a.. fir Stats ch&*a..
BS ne bhi, maa ki le li
Doston ne RG ki, kauwo ne bhi na chodi!
Jokawalo, kya bataein, apne dil ki dastaanein
cheero.. n good nite
Ritz, signing off..
Jet lagged and drunk at IIM, Joka.
PS: the expletives-in-rhyme above are excerpts of the song, 'Early Days' by JBS BaroC
27.2.07
Shuffle
A huge compilation
of ur all time favorites
from a mosaic of genres
Sambora plays his closing lead..
a few moments of suspense
and the 'tabla' prelude
of Ghulam Ali's classical composotion begins
of ur all time favorites
from a mosaic of genres
Sambora plays his closing lead..
a few moments of suspense
and the 'tabla' prelude
of Ghulam Ali's classical composotion begins
22.2.07
Romeo + Juliet
Juliet, the dice were loaded from the start
and I bet,
and u exploded in the heart
oh, I fget the movie song
When r u gonna realize its just that the time was wrong, Juliet
- Mark Knopfler
and I bet,
and u exploded in the heart
oh, I fget the movie song
When r u gonna realize its just that the time was wrong, Juliet
- Mark Knopfler
16.2.07
Wonder
it is an amazing product
that small, sleek silver piece of work
can take you to places
memories, dreams,
pictures of yellow, of blue and of grey
u hear every sound, crystal
a monophonic melody emancipates
a thousand harmonies from 20hz to 20 khz
thanx to Mr Jobs
and the dear friend who gifted me this marvel
that small, sleek silver piece of work
can take you to places
memories, dreams,
pictures of yellow, of blue and of grey
u hear every sound, crystal
a monophonic melody emancipates
a thousand harmonies from 20hz to 20 khz
thanx to Mr Jobs
and the dear friend who gifted me this marvel
rock bottom
which is worse,
deep pain or abyss
the pain of not getting that which was so close to you,
OR the void that follows after achieving all that u wanted
the anguish of ambiguity, of feeling that there is still a chance,
of that roller coaster ride, that free fall from the acme of ecstasy to the nadir of deep anguish,
OR the drift along the same horizontal line into the deep black chasm of desperation
deep pain or abyss
the pain of not getting that which was so close to you,
OR the void that follows after achieving all that u wanted
the anguish of ambiguity, of feeling that there is still a chance,
of that roller coaster ride, that free fall from the acme of ecstasy to the nadir of deep anguish,
OR the drift along the same horizontal line into the deep black chasm of desperation
14.2.07
Before Sunset
"I get obsessed with little things.. May be I am crazy.. When I was a little girl, my mom told me that I was always late to school.. One day she followed me to see why.. I was looking at chestnuts falling from the tree.. rolling on the sidewalk or ants crossing the road. The way a leaf cast its shadow on the tree trunk.. little things..." -Celine
loved the ending the most. It doesnt end rather
loved the ending the most. It doesnt end rather
7.2.07
Silsile
ek puraana mausam lauta, yaad bhari purvahi bhi
aisa to kam hi hota hain, woh bhi ho tanhai bhi
-Gulzarsaab
aisa to kam hi hota hain, woh bhi ho tanhai bhi
-Gulzarsaab
26.1.07
Guru- A Review
Guru is one of the most awaited releases of the year. It has a star studded line up comprising Mani Ratnam, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, AR Rahman and Gulzar. It is only normal for the audience to expect a masterpiece. But Guru flatters to deceive.
The story is the weakest link of the film. Guru is a biopic on the life of Dhirubhai. Movies spanning generations tend to be longer as it takes more time to tell a long story involving different charecters at different times and establish rapport between them. Sadly, Guru does neither. Its 150 minute running time sees it explore too many avenues and do justice to none. The movie starts in 1951, where Guru moves to Turkey. But what he did in Turkey, except dance with a raunchy looking Mallika Sherawat, we never get to know. You suddenly realize that he has earned enough money and acumen to set up his own business in India. And in 30 minutes flat he establishes a business empire. What, how, when? Dont know except that there is one Manik DasGupta (Mithun Chakraborty), a newspaper editor, whose articles lionize Guru and one Mr Contractor, a corporate who is the hurdle that Guru surmounts in his race for supremacy. Post Intermission, enter reporter Shyam Saxena (R Madhavan) who exposes Guru's shady acts. We suddenly realize that Gurubhai's empire has been built on the basis of fraud and corruption. We also realize that old friend DasGupta is now the biggest foe. When he gets tried for the corruption, Guru makes a seemingly heartfelt speech about how all he wanted to do was plain business and how the government and the bureaucracy, through tons of duties, licences and taxes left him with no choice but to swindle and bribe. But alas. The audience doesnt empathize because they are wondering: where on earth did the government come from, we thought that bloke DasGupta is the villian!
OK. So much for the basic plot. What about relationships? Mani Ratnam is very adept at handling relationships (watch Mouna Raagam and Alai Payuthey). In the start, there seems to be a very good chemistry developing between Guru and Sujata (Aishwarya). The subtlety of Ratnam is evident. But again, looks like his confusion took its toll and not enough time is given for their affiliation to develop. Also, the kind of relationship that Guru shares with DasGupta or his confidant Motabhai, we never get to know. Hence, when Motabhai and Guru interact after the former attempts a suicide, we dont feel for them as the bonding was never established. The love story between R Madhavan and Vidya Balan albeit looking good, was uncalled for and deviates from the basic plot. Many of the songs are ill timed and break the flow of the film. Abhishek singing to Rehman's voice is comical.
The performaces are allright. Aishwarya Rai as Sujata is very believable. Looks like she has lost a few pounds for the charecter. Mithunda as Manik dasGupta gives a strong performance. Madhavan as Shyam Saxena does justice to a small role, although at some points he lacks the punch that the role required. Vidya Balan does a good cameo. Finally, Abhishek as Gurubhai is good in parts. His performance until Guru gets paralysed is credible. But he is unable to carry off the most difficult part of the role, post paralysis. Also, his imitation of Amitabh every now and then is a let-down.
Rahman's music and background score are haunting. Tere Bina, Ae Hairathe and Jaage would be counted among his better compositions. Gulzar's lyrics are profound. You can't but hum the words of "Jaage" when you leave the hall.
Overall, Guru disappoints on many fronts. Hopefully Ratnam's next, 'Lajjo' with Aamir Khan would be better.
The story is the weakest link of the film. Guru is a biopic on the life of Dhirubhai. Movies spanning generations tend to be longer as it takes more time to tell a long story involving different charecters at different times and establish rapport between them. Sadly, Guru does neither. Its 150 minute running time sees it explore too many avenues and do justice to none. The movie starts in 1951, where Guru moves to Turkey. But what he did in Turkey, except dance with a raunchy looking Mallika Sherawat, we never get to know. You suddenly realize that he has earned enough money and acumen to set up his own business in India. And in 30 minutes flat he establishes a business empire. What, how, when? Dont know except that there is one Manik DasGupta (Mithun Chakraborty), a newspaper editor, whose articles lionize Guru and one Mr Contractor, a corporate who is the hurdle that Guru surmounts in his race for supremacy. Post Intermission, enter reporter Shyam Saxena (R Madhavan) who exposes Guru's shady acts. We suddenly realize that Gurubhai's empire has been built on the basis of fraud and corruption. We also realize that old friend DasGupta is now the biggest foe. When he gets tried for the corruption, Guru makes a seemingly heartfelt speech about how all he wanted to do was plain business and how the government and the bureaucracy, through tons of duties, licences and taxes left him with no choice but to swindle and bribe. But alas. The audience doesnt empathize because they are wondering: where on earth did the government come from, we thought that bloke DasGupta is the villian!
OK. So much for the basic plot. What about relationships? Mani Ratnam is very adept at handling relationships (watch Mouna Raagam and Alai Payuthey). In the start, there seems to be a very good chemistry developing between Guru and Sujata (Aishwarya). The subtlety of Ratnam is evident. But again, looks like his confusion took its toll and not enough time is given for their affiliation to develop. Also, the kind of relationship that Guru shares with DasGupta or his confidant Motabhai, we never get to know. Hence, when Motabhai and Guru interact after the former attempts a suicide, we dont feel for them as the bonding was never established. The love story between R Madhavan and Vidya Balan albeit looking good, was uncalled for and deviates from the basic plot. Many of the songs are ill timed and break the flow of the film. Abhishek singing to Rehman's voice is comical.
The performaces are allright. Aishwarya Rai as Sujata is very believable. Looks like she has lost a few pounds for the charecter. Mithunda as Manik dasGupta gives a strong performance. Madhavan as Shyam Saxena does justice to a small role, although at some points he lacks the punch that the role required. Vidya Balan does a good cameo. Finally, Abhishek as Gurubhai is good in parts. His performance until Guru gets paralysed is credible. But he is unable to carry off the most difficult part of the role, post paralysis. Also, his imitation of Amitabh every now and then is a let-down.
Rahman's music and background score are haunting. Tere Bina, Ae Hairathe and Jaage would be counted among his better compositions. Gulzar's lyrics are profound. You can't but hum the words of "Jaage" when you leave the hall.
Overall, Guru disappoints on many fronts. Hopefully Ratnam's next, 'Lajjo' with Aamir Khan would be better.
12.1.07
26.12.06
..beedi..
being 2 beer, 2 vodkas, joints n suttas high n dancing on 'beedi jalayle' with a firang was an out-of-this-world experience!!
Merry Christmas all!.. :)
Merry Christmas all!.. :)
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