Watt a Di-namic performance!

Rating: * * *

Cast: Naomi Watts, Naveen Andrews, 

Douglas Hodge, Geraldine James, Juliet Stevenson 

Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel

Despite the negative reviews about the "Princess of Hearts" Diana, for me, it was an engaging attempt! It highlighted on Diana's loneliness and vulnerability at the time she hit rock bottom in her life! 

The film focuses on "Afterall she was human" factor and shares with us a riveting ,magnetic love story of a couple who lead two completely different lifestyles! 

Personally, I have never liked Naomi Watts as an actor, but this time her performance was captivating and believable where she looked and played Lady Di. Though, Navin Andrews was not the best representation of Dr. Hasnat Khan, the film holds together through Watts' walk, talk and mannerisms. Just to get a feel of an unfortunate lovestory of a middle aged women who happens to be a princess... Go watch Diana!

Be your own Sparkle!

Grow to Live,

Love to Live,

Make a move,

To help to live.

Bring a change,

By making it happen,

Wear a smile,

And Sparkle each day.

Sparkle each day,

For you and only you,

Sparkle each day,

Just Sparkle to care.

Sparkle to share,

To love and just be there.

Dont look for it in others,

Coz it lies within you,

Be your own Sparkle,

For you and only you.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Dance at Le Moulin

Artwork- Moulin de la Galette

Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette (Bal du moulin de la Galette), 1876, Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Renoir's paintings are notable for their vibrant light and saturated colour, most often focusing on people in intimate and candid compositions. The female nude was one of his primary subjects. In characteristic Impressionist style, Renoir suggested the details of a scene through freely brushed touches of colour, so that his figures softly fuse with one another and their surroundings.

His initial paintings show the influence of the colourism of Eugène Delacroix and the luminosity of Camille Corot. He also admired the realism of Gustave Courbet and Édouard Manet, and his early work resembles theirs in his use of black as a color. 

One of the best known Impressionist works is Renoir's 1876 Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette (Bal du moulin de la Galette). The painting depicts an open-air scene, crowded with people, at a popular dance garden on the Butte Montmartre, close to where he lived.

Dance at le Moulin de la Galette is also known as Bal du moulin de la Galette and it is hailed as one of Renoir's most important works of the mid 1870s. The Moulin de la Galette was an open-air dancehall and café that was frequented by many artists living in Paris. Renoir attended Sunday afternoon dances and enjoyed watching the happy couples. For him, it provided the perfect setting for a painting.

Most of the figures featured in Dance at le Moulin de la Galette were Renoir's friends, but he also used a few professional models. Thus, it can be said that the scene he depicts is not a realistic representation of the Moulin's clientele, but rather an organized set of portraits.

This painting was first shown at the Impressionist exhibition of 1877 and demonstrated the original technique developed by Renoir. This canvas shows Renoir's friends, Frank Lamy, Norbert Goeneutte, and Georges Rivière gathered around the central table. Rivière, a writer who knew Renoir well at this time, wrote a review of Dance at le Moulin de la Galette in the journal L'Iimpressionniste which accompanied its exhibition. The writer referred to Dance at le Moulin de la Galette as a "page of history, a precious and strictly accurate portrayal of Parisian life. " Yet, others were not so kind. Many contemporary critics regarded this canvas as merely a blurred impression of the scene.

Known for his pleasant paintings, Dance at le Moulin de la Galette is regarded as one of the happiest compositions in Renoir's oeuvre. Today, it is on display at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris and is one the most celebrated works in the history of Impressionism. 

A warm windy town called Wellington...

The Letter 'W' has a whole new meaning to life now... 5 months and rejuvenated !

A few Whitteker's cravings as I swiped my snapper and got off the bus on Courenay Place, 

A quick stop at the Reading Cinemas, just to browse through a few sections at Whitcoulls.

The ride on the No.2 bus to Miramar from Courtenay Place. To a magical 'Peter Jackson' Land- The Weta Workshops and The Weta Caves.

The most unbelievable bond of friendship in a town so far away from home. The best times spent at Johnsville, Boston on Blair, Botanical Gardens with Welly Wede and their 'What a Talent moments... 

An unforgettable weekend at a wildside getaway... overlooking the snow peaked mountains... with some "what a talent" moments

A walk in the clouds at Karori park and the Makara bench. 

Some windy weather tales while walking uphill  56 david crescent.

And many many Warm n Wonderful Memories... of Windy Wellington!

Starry Starry Night.....

Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.....

After a lot of arguements and squabbles with my friend yesterday; I finally had an amazing insight on something really fascinating.... An impressionist created a master piece and then left us to decide and argue about his prized possession...or should I say possessions!

Vincent Van Gogh’s famous – Starry Night is known to all of us... I thought I knew it too until yesterday my friend enlightened me that the starry night which I claimed to be Van Gogh’s "THE Starry Night" was ‘not’ the Starry night people are aware about! It was a completely different masterpiece which I thought was the Starry night by Van Gogh!

I was shattered...and thought of looking deeper into the matter.... and then the Mystery unfold... There were 2 ‘Starry Night’ paintings....

Starry Night: Van Gogh painted Starry Night while in an Asylum at Saint-Remy in 1889.

Earlier in Arles in 1888 (which was the Starry Night over the Rhone)

Starry Night: Van Gogh painted Starry Night while in an Asylum at Saint-Remy in 1889.

Starry Night: Over the River Rhone; one was created before the starry night everyone knows as 'the starry night'... it is known that the piece is not the only Starry Night painting that Van Gogh ever created. Gogh was quite proud of a piece he had painted earlier in Arles in 1888 (which was the Starry Night over the Rhone) that depicted stars reflecting in the Rhone River.

Starry Night (over the Rhone River) contains one final aspect that is not featured in the Starry Night piece; humans. In the bottom right corner of the painting there is a couple walking along the river. This gives the painting a down to earth feel with a natural quality. Although this painting is not nearly as popular as the seconded Starry Night piece, it still creates a pleasurable and life like environment to look at. It is also resides as a very sought after piece when it is placed with Starry Night and the following painting to create a montage of Van Gogh's Starry Night works.

And as Gogh rightly quoted... Great things are done by a series of small things brought together..... Starry Night is one of them!


For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.



-Vincent Van Gogh

A 'SILKY' OVERDOSE! A disappointing Dirty Picture!

All through November, a lot was heard and written about this so called 'entertaining sizzling package' ! Must say, a well marketed, promising Balaji product which assured to shock the audiences soon! The curiosity bubble burst today when I finally saw this much awaited 'silky' overdose!
A poor adaption of a 'Madhur Bhandarkar' genre which lacked the most important ingredients which make a Madhur Bhandarkar film 'Madhur' .....the important ingredients being, Character Graph, sensitivity and Depth!
The Dirty Picture missed out on these! When a biopic tale is told, the least one can expect from it is honesty.
Sluggish story/screenplay writing and a few miscast (especially Tushhar Kapoor) brought in monotony which translated to boredom.
The film begins with a narrative from one of the characters in the film (Imran Hashmi- at least bearable) about Silk (Vidya Balan) and her dream to become a star, but this later changes into a messy plot revolving around Silk's affairs/addictions/excessive smoking habit; leaving behind her turmoil and desperation!
One waits for a journey of Reshma to Silk; the rising star to Silk; the diminishing star.... but gets only Vidya putting it all out there, literally, and being content in what she has delivered to her role! A bold role to accept, I agree, but if done with a little more conviction, detailing of internal character rather than the external, would have sizzled the screen most definitely!
The Media overdose of clever reviews and perfect marketing left the audience confused. Most of this confused lot believes that what they saw was a Bold actor, a gutsy attempt and a great effort put in by her to gain weight for a role!!!!
Cleverly concealing a superficial performance, shabby narrative and cocky dialogue delivery; The Dirty Picture parks itself in the 'good films' category by the audiences!

The only thing I am happy about is that my opinion about  Vidya Balan as an actor still remains the same!
No Comments!

RICK WARS! A New Chapter everyday!

Train Travels: Toothless, frail, old lady in train asked me..."Baandrra kab ayega" I asked..'Kya?' She mumbled again...baandrraa...I told her.."Baandrra gaya" she struggled to get up and ran to the exit...and asked again.. The lady nxt to her understood whr she wnted to get off..she replied " aunty..paarala ayega..agla station!" Old lady nw givin me dagger looks...feelin guilty I dint undrstand baaandrra and paarlaa...diff! :(
Rick Wars to Cab wars: a new chapter : Amazed @ my skill... getting 'ek se ek namoona' cab/auto drivers...every day! :s
Rick Wars: Chapter travelling back home: Exactly an hour ago...a colleague and I left office with a smile on our faces! An hour later... We are still travelling in a rick... With a frown...wading thru the trafffic!
Rick Wars: Chapter Ganesha travels:- its tough to find a rick which is ready to take u thro' the rains and the ganpati visarjan fiasco! Its even tougher to find a rick which has a 'parda' (curtain) to avoid the gulaal n splashes of the rain on u! Wht does one do??? OH GOD.... Pls help!
Rick Wars: Post-Strike Chapter:- a change noticed post the auto strike is tht the dead faces of auto drivers atleast respond by nodding a yes or a no now..when one screams out the destination...unlike earlier when they just looked thro' you and drove away!
Rick wars chapter 105...finally I win...I get a rick and an old lady ask fr a lift... its pouring...she looks helpless and defeated!! so I offer a lift! moral: good deed fr the day..dnt expect one in return!...in this case I expect such miracles evryday...mornings will be happier ! ;)
Rick Wars: Chapter 106 - It rains inside the rick too!
Rick Wars: Chapter 107- A lucky day..rick wars betwn drivers... It seems everyone wnts to go to malad today!
Rick Wars: Chapter 108- If u've missed out on a good workout today... Try this! A bumpy rick ride thro' the pot holes of suburbs!
Rick Wars: chapter 109- Agression is the key to success!...or else these stone-faced, pea-brained auto drivers dnt respond!
Rick Wars: chapter 109a- my colleague turned CID! Kahani badhte meter ki! ;)
Rick Wars : Chapter 109: A bandaged arm can do wonders... Women surrounding a rickshaw suddenly seem to be very sympathetic...offered me a ride to work! Cheers to the sprained arm! :)
Rick Wars: Chapter 110. A moment of pride n success experienced when 20 ppl hound a rickshaw n the GRT,The Almighty Auto Driver chooses you as his humble passenger! Amen.
Rick Wars: A happy Chapter- sadistic pleasure to see others struggling to catch a rick today while I get a lift to wrk! ;)

AND THE WAR CONTINUES!

Ingredients of a Brother:

• ·         3 tablespoons of wise cracks
• ·         A dash of arrogance
• ·         2.5 teaspoons of bossing around
• ·         A pinch of affection
• ·         5 full cups of Hidden Love for his Sister!

LOVE U BROTHER!

  

Times of Yore!

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.


My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.


He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of the easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep. ----- FROST.

 

 
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments

By narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way

Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit

Where the mind is led forward by thee

Into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake. ----TAGORE

 

The quality of mercy is not strain'd.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:

It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.

'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes

The throned monarch better than his crown.

His scepter shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty,

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above this sceptered sway;

It is enthroned in the heart of kings;

It is an attribute to God himself;

And earthly power doth then show likest God's

When mercy seasons justice. ----SHAKESPEARE

NOTHINGNESS to HOPE....

NOTHINGNESS to HOPE.... 
(don't let your emotions take over your thoughts!)

Feelings remain....

There is a void.....

Uneasiness, unaccomplished dreams....

Wanting to move on...

But something pulls you back....

Are these the same emotions?

Why does it feel nothing yet everything?

Help me understand....

Lonely in a crowded train....

Waiting for comfort...

So much to share and no one around to hear....

Stifled, cheated, blamed....

Who was at fault?

Why 'me' is the question....

Finally all gets solved.

Running towards nothing....

Trying to achieve something....

Why this struggle,

Why this pain?

After all its an unending chase!

It could have been a special story...

With orchids and white horses....

Scented candles and rain

But struggle is a part of life....

Dont take is too seriously since nothing is at stake.

Live for You...

Love for You...

You have the right...

You deserve to explore 

Something new.....

Cease the moment...

this is for real...

Life is a box of chocolates

enjoy every flavour...
Old or New!

The Idiot Box - the 'Super Star' key to success!

Its the new career option for anyone and everyone!

All you got to do is join our Training school of daily soaps n shampoos.

Tips and Training to attain 'Nirvana title' - the TV star!

Only for freshers...for those who knw nothing!

let's begin with...

Lesson no. 1...

A for acting: Of course that is important to be an actor... Why? What did u think?

C for characterization: It's what you play as, on screen...no no... It's not just for effect!

T for talent: It is something inborn...You either have it or u don't!

Try to identify it in you asap... Before its to late to understand that you need it to be here!

I for improvisation: Yes students... That is a word!

N for never mind...I mean the 'improvisation'

G for grasping power: Not just to mug up those thousand lines each day! To understand what you are saying..so we understand what you are doing!

So today we have learnt the word ACTING... Ya just the word!

Good luck to you...

KITES!!!! Flew high for me!

Watching Kites yesterday-first day first show was entertaining! People have no patience to watch a Film these days since there is a lot happening all around. So 'our' attention has lowered to a level where only a ‘half hour’ package works (it’s a vacuum in emotional depth created by television shows. Some old-school romantic movie emotions just don’t hit the audience of today!)

Anyway, Kites was no doubt a ‘sure’ love story! Smooth sailing shots, some sweet subtle moments (especially the hand shadows and the silence in that scene!), and scenic beauty!

Hrithik- Barbara, a handsome parcel, sizzled in every shot!

This love story had a good guy fighting for his love, a bad guy chasing him around to steal his love, a good guy from the bad guy gang who helps the good guy and his love to sneak away! There is a ‘guy meets girl’ and love at first sight feeling, betrayal, lust, love, shoot outs in dingy lanes, car chase sequences! In a nutshell… everything a BOLLYWOOD FILM always encompasses. The 90’s filmy love stories were loved though they had loud dance numbers and bright off-fashion clothes.

Kites- A bollywood combo-pack almost like the new age ‘QSQT, MPK’… We all had loved those that time!! This time it’s with a dash of action n thrill!!!

NOT BAD- KITES!!!! Flew high for me!

THE NEW SECRET...

Let there be hope,

But not pride.

Let there be belief,

But no blind faith!

Let thou be powerful,

But show humanity!

Let thou be confident,

But be humble.

Let there be love,

And show pure positivity.

Let there be motivation,

Along with honesty.

Let thou be focused,

But not casual.

Let thou set dreams,

And have authenticity to achieve.

Let thou be happy,

But no trouble inside.

Let thou have strength,

But not vanity to flaunt.

Let there be miracles,

Which only thou can create.

Let there be thirst for knowledge,

But no hunger to preach.

Let thou be good,

But not greedy towards goodness.

Let thou listen to the heart,

And follow its path.

Let there be a will,

And the way will appear.

Let there be no expectations,

And surprises will follow.

OM SHANTI OM

शांति मंत्र

ऊं सहना ववतु

सहनौ भुनक्तु

सहविर्यम् करवावहे

तेजस्विना वधीतम् अस्तु

मा विद विशावहै

ऊं शांति शांति शांति

Om Sahana Vavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu

Sahaveeryam Karavavahai

Tejas Vinavati Tamastuma vidhwishavahai

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi

Sanskrit to English Word Meaning:

Saha- both; nau-us; avatu- may he protect; bhunaktu-may he nourish; viryam karavavahai-may we acquire the capacity; tejasvi-be brilliant; nau-for us; adhitam- what is studied; astu-let it be; ma vidvisavahai-may we not argue with each other.

Translation:

May He protect us. May He nourish us. May we acquire the capacity (to study and understand the scriptures). May our study be brilliant. May we not argue with each other. Om peace, peace, peace.

IPL FEVER EACH DAY!

A lil confused abt the IPL…

A different team to support every day????!!!

Earlier, for me, cricket was always India versus the world…

pure Patriotism!!

Now its reduced to a mere game!!!

Guess will have to adjust to the change!!!

THIS COMMERCIAL CHANGE!

RE...Bound to Happen!!!! Dilsa koi kameena nahi...

Chill out, what you yellin' for?
Lay back, it's all been done before
And if, you could only let it be
You will see

I like, you the way you are
When we're drivin' in your car
And you're, talkin' to me one on one
But you become

Somebody else
'Round everyone else
Your watchin' your back
Like you can't relax
You tryin' to be cool
You look like a fool to me
Tell me

Why'd you have to go and make things so complicated?
I see the way you're actin' like you're somebody else
Gets me frustrated
Life's like this you
You fall and you crawl and you break
And you take what you get, and you turn it into
Honestly, you promised me
I'm never gonna find you fake it
No no no

Aisi ulji nazar unse hatt ti nahi
Daant se reshmi dor katt ti nahi
Umar kab ki baras ke safaid ho gayi
Kaari badari jawani ki chatt ti nahi
Walla ye dhadkan bhadne lagi hai
Chehre ki rangat udne lagi hai
Darr lagta hai tanha sone mein ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Thoda kaccha hai ji
Haan dil to baccha hai ji

Dilsa koi kameena nahi
Koi to rokey, koi to tokey
Iss umar mein ab khaogey dhokhe
Darr lagta hai ishq karne mein ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Thoda kaccha hai ji
Haan dil to baccha hai ji

Goodbye to you my trusted friend
We've known each other since we were nine or ten
Together we've climbed hills and trees
Learned of love and ABC's
Skinned our hearts and skinned our knees

We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun
But the hills that we climbed were just seasons out of time

We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun
But the wine and the song like the seasons have all gone

I know I stand in line
Until you think you have the time
To spend an evening with me
And if we go someplace to dance
I know that there's a chance
You won't be leaving with me

Then afterwards we drop into a quiet little place
And have a drink or two
And then I go and spoil it all
By saying something stupid
Like I love you

Petty issues...this blah blah world!!! SHUT THE %$#@ UP!!!!

We all have been watching a Hilarious show for a while called: - ‘I’m a Politician- And I will blabber!’

A show which receives maximum TRPs, comments and fan followings! It’s a show which will give superstars and businessmen a run for their money! (Literally!)

I know... there is no such show. But the news channels all around are making their bucks on the name of politicians and not entertainment for a change! (Something which they should be doing otherwise)

But the issues these politicians are arguing on are just appalling! Sometimes we wonder what we are governed by! Is this really happening????

When (my superstar) Shahrukh Khan made a comment about his cricket team and the Pakistani players, the politicians were agitated! And now, all we see is a Mess! A Laugh riot for the educated class; who comes home from work switches on a news channel (hoping to get some intelligent view point on serious issues) and witnesses a foul play of political heads blabbering/ fighting/ pointing fingers at one another!

GOD… is this our country?

A so called Marathi Manoos will have his view about how wrong everyone is and how the point actually lies in why Marathi is not being given importance!!!! A non-mumbai-ite will be ANGRY because his so called INDIANness is being questioned!!! A Producer is worried about his film release and still wonders why that has been targeted!!!

And the racket in our head continues….

The good thing is that I too have a medium to express my thoughts/views… so I typed a comment on a social networking site and received a thousand odd responses!!! It was a good way to get to know what we actually feel/think about the current scenario, also realizing, if ‘we’ can divert from one topic to another in no time… WHY blame anyone else!!!!

So here it goes… My status message was:- SRK, DON’T APOLOGIZE! WE ARE WITH YOU!

Comments:-

Friend1:- Ohh that means, You think Pakistani Players should play here...?

Me:- !!!!!!!
I AM AN SRK FAN...n i want to watch the film!!!!!!!!

Friend2:- ohhh...the film u can watch on any channel...

Friend1:- Now a Days, films are released on channels and DVDs in just 2 months!

Me:- HUHHHH....piracyyy??? a complete no!!!

Friend2:- That's the point... Media has created a whirlpool of thoughts so that the people get influenced! A theatre today has a dozen policemen, 3 rows reserved, 1 Dozen police? Minimum 3 videographers?
This is Nonsense....
aani evadh karun, film baghayala jaeel, tyala dagad laganar to vegalach...

Me:- we owe somethin to every film... WE cant be casual about... DVD/channel var yeil!!!! lets be clear...change our attitude..its a lot of energy, creativity,money,business involved fr a Friday release!!
lets not think like THEM!

Friend 2:- I don't have any attitude...
But this is a Fact...
In my nearest Theatre, Marathi films timings are 3:30pm..
How many people are going to watch on working day @ 3:30pm ? aani aapan nachato, ki Marathila chanagale divas aal... Marathi cinema multyplex madhye lagala?
Last week, I saw " Natarang " (twice) on both the tickets, It was mentioned TAX FREE...

BUT...
at 3:30 pm ticket was Rs 79/- & @ Night, Ticket was Rs 117/- WHY ?
...
This make attitude to watch the film at Home...

Me:- Lets not get into petty issues like language and caste!!! the fact remains...we need to grow up!

Friend3:-ok, forget about the petty issues...
I watch films in Theaters (when It runs @ a suitable time)
Otherwise I have to watch the film on DVD...

Me:- and as far as the marathi film screenings in multiplexes are concerned!!! we r gettin thr... i saw Natrang at PVR- 8:30pm show @ Rs 175/- .... its about how many of us are actually gonna pay 'money' to watch a film... its easier fr our ppl to think... arrre TV var baghu!!!
then how is anything going to progress!!!!

Friend2:- " TV var baghu " attitude comes from Middle Class Marathi Manus.., who can't spend Rs. 175 /-

Me:- oh really...but he does spend 175/- fr a hindi film!!!!!!!

Friend:- not even a Middle Class Marathi man...
His attitude will be same for hindi also... " TV var baghu "

Me:- ....i think its more about... Marathi film theatre madhe jaun ka baghaichi!!!so the problem lies in that comman's mind! and films r made fr them...
anyway.. The point is will i get to watch My name is Khan...!!!!!!!!!!!(appeal frm a true SRK fan)

This continued for a while… and I realized!!! What are we arguing about!!! Again… these were petty issues! We were back to talking about languages/caste/creed… How will India ever progress! We definitely need to change our attitude!!!

Unless we become ‘ONE’ this change won’t happen!!!

And the thought scared me…

Because… I know ‘That’ may just never happen!!!!