The following are some never-seen and never-thought-of pictures that will make your eyeballs pop out. Sensationalism finds a new height. Whether these pics are real or morphed or not, herbal one cannot tell. But as of now they present the zenith of unimaginable intent.
Presenting Mallika Shehrawat, viagra approved fully dressed. Yes, order yes – not even a cleavage peeping out of the stifled confines of clothes. If these pics are real, hats off to Mallika for going through the photo shoot in suffocating conditons of full clothes!
Mika-Rakhi Face Off
Mika got the royal snub when he tried to make Rakhi Sawant his kiss kiss ki kiss-mate and the media went berserk over this smooch ado about nothing drama. For those who came in very late – On Mika’s birthday party, Sawant smothered Mika with cakes and kisses. When Mika reciprocated zealously, Sawant’s bhartiya naari within woke up and before he could say ‘something something’, she screamed foul – not about Mika’s breath, but about the incident.
Last month, Sawant was all over the channels for vulgarity charges. Recently, she has been giving many a Bollywood bimbo a cut-cloth competition in her field.
In her interviews, she aggressively claimed, ‘my fans love me’! Honestly, I will like to meet these demented souls – and send them to a psychiatrist for treatment!
Rahul Mahajan
Rahul’s mahajung continues; though not in the mainstream news any longer , still it’s poppy-ing out at regular intervals. There is something about sensationalism that makes you return to it again and again.
Unless you have just landed from Mars, you would know that late Pramod Mahajan’s son was caught with powders that were not thanda thanda cool cool! As the story progressed from conspiracy to champagne to cocaine (and the nation went from shock to to sympathy to sneer), the media quickly withdrew it from its main slots – but the symptoms are clear: too many news channels spoil the television broth!
By the end of these repeat telecasts and newspaper reports, everyone would have had a refresher course on the difference between cocaine and heroin (and any other drug), champagne and sparkling wine, middle class and rich brats – which essentially, this whole story is all about.
John Aur Con
Overhead in a busy mall – a smart kid telling his excited mom, who was pushing her child to fill the contest form wherein the winner gets to act with John Abraham, ‘ Mom, that’s all ok, but are you sure John will act!’ Touche!
Kids these days, I tell you, are very smart. And are not going to be taken by media’s forcing of i-cons!
But must admit, generally speaking John does have a special place with kids  – as does Hrithik Roshan. Which reminds me, Hrithik has clambered out of his media hibernation, and is these days the most seen person, while Aamir has slithered back into hiding again – till the next release, that is!
Kaala Kaala Chashma
Big B ki amar-vyatha got a chapter added when the income tax department allegedly delivered yet another notice. To which, Big B gave a decent and extremely well-worded reply. In this chhitti-chhitti baatein, Amar Singh again got badi badi time space on channels as he came out to defend his ‘friend’ – he also alleged that Big B is being hounded unnecessarily by someone from a family who was so-nia to them once-upon-a-history!
Bitchy Comment of the Day
Soha Ali Khan states, “People tell me that I look as if I belong to another century. I guess that’s a compliment”. Or perhaps, they mean that she looks like a ghost 😛
The following are some never-seen and never-thought-of pictures that will make your eyeballs pop out. Sensationalism finds a new height. Whether these pics are real or morphed or not, herbal one cannot tell. But as of now they present the zenith of unimaginable intent.
Presenting Mallika Shehrawat, viagra approved fully dressed. Yes, order yes – not even a cleavage peeping out of the stifled confines of clothes. If these pics are real, hats off to Mallika for going through the photo shoot in suffocating conditons of full clothes!
Mika-Rakhi Face Off
Mika got the royal snub when he tried to make Rakhi Sawant his kiss kiss ki kiss-mate and the media went berserk over this smooch ado about nothing drama. For those who came in very late – On Mika’s birthday party, Sawant smothered Mika with cakes and kisses. When Mika reciprocated zealously, Sawant’s bhartiya naari within woke up and before he could say ‘something something’, she screamed foul – not about Mika’s breath, but about the incident.
Last month, Sawant was all over the channels for vulgarity charges. Recently, she has been giving many a Bollywood bimbo a cut-cloth competition in her field.
In her interviews, she aggressively claimed, ‘my fans love me’! Honestly, I will like to meet these demented souls – and send them to a psychiatrist for treatment!
Rahul Mahajan
Rahul’s mahajung continues; though not in the mainstream news any longer , still it’s poppy-ing out at regular intervals. There is something about sensationalism that makes you return to it again and again.
Unless you have just landed from Mars, you would know that late Pramod Mahajan’s son was caught with powders that were not thanda thanda cool cool! As the story progressed from conspiracy to champagne to cocaine (and the nation went from shock to to sympathy to sneer), the media quickly withdrew it from its main slots – but the symptoms are clear: too many news channels spoil the television broth!
By the end of these repeat telecasts and newspaper reports, everyone would have had a refresher course on the difference between cocaine and heroin (and any other drug), champagne and sparkling wine, middle class and rich brats – which essentially, this whole story is all about.
John Aur Con
Overhead in a busy mall – a smart kid telling his excited mom, who was pushing her child to fill the contest form wherein the winner gets to act with John Abraham, ‘ Mom, that’s all ok, but are you sure John will act!’ Touche!
Kids these days, I tell you, are very smart. And are not going to be taken by media’s forcing of i-cons!
But must admit, generally speaking John does have a special place with kids  – as does Hrithik Roshan. Which reminds me, Hrithik has clambered out of his media hibernation, and is these days the most seen person, while Aamir has slithered back into hiding again – till the next release, that is!
Kaala Kaala Chashma
Big B ki amar-vyatha got a chapter added when the income tax department allegedly delivered yet another notice. To which, Big B gave a decent and extremely well-worded reply. In this chhitti-chhitti baatein, Amar Singh again got badi badi time space on channels as he came out to defend his ‘friend’ – he also alleged that Big B is being hounded unnecessarily by someone from a family who was so-nia to them once-upon-a-history!
Bitchy Comment of the Day
Soha Ali Khan states, “People tell me that I look as if I belong to another century. I guess that’s a compliment”. Or perhaps, they mean that she looks like a ghost 😛
Today is World Music Day – and I cannot let this day pass without saying a prayer and thanks to the musical legend who has been one solid constant in my life; one who epitomises music; one who has inspired generations – LATA MANGESHKARji, malady aap ko shat shat pranaam. You are the beginning and end of music!
On this day I also remember and bow before other legends who have colored my life with their golden voices: Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar and Manna Dey. My thanks to Asha Bhonsle for her songs, and also praise to some contemporary voices like Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Shreya and Sonu Nigam.
A day dedicated to music cannot be completed without a mention of three of my most favorite composers – Madan Mohan and Shankar-Jaikishan.
However, there are many others whose contributions have had significant impact on me viz. Naushad, Anil Biswas, Husnlal Bhagatram, SD Burman, C. Ramachandra, Chitragupt, Sardar Mallik, Kalyanji-Anandji, RD Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Bappi Lahiri. My sincere thanks to many contemporary music composers as well , listing them out will not be possible here.
Words add beauty to music. Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Rajendra Kishan, Raja Mehndi Ali Khan, Shakeel Badayuni, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi, Javed Akhtar and Gulzar and to many others I have missed out to mention – thanks for your invaluable words which have touched my heart and soul.
Listing out every artiste of each music field is impossible. But everyone’s contribution is always important, and somewhere it does make an impact.
Lastly, my reverance to Goddess Saraswati, who gave this priceless gift to mankind called music!
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The following are some never-seen and never-thought-of pictures that will make your eyeballs pop out. Sensationalism finds a new height. Whether these pics are real or morphed or not, herbal one cannot tell. But as of now they present the zenith of unimaginable intent.
Presenting Mallika Shehrawat, viagra approved fully dressed. Yes, order yes – not even a cleavage peeping out of the stifled confines of clothes. If these pics are real, hats off to Mallika for going through the photo shoot in suffocating conditons of full clothes!
Mika-Rakhi Face Off
Mika got the royal snub when he tried to make Rakhi Sawant his kiss kiss ki kiss-mate and the media went berserk over this smooch ado about nothing drama. For those who came in very late – On Mika’s birthday party, Sawant smothered Mika with cakes and kisses. When Mika reciprocated zealously, Sawant’s bhartiya naari within woke up and before he could say ‘something something’, she screamed foul – not about Mika’s breath, but about the incident.
Last month, Sawant was all over the channels for vulgarity charges. Recently, she has been giving many a Bollywood bimbo a cut-cloth competition in her field.
In her interviews, she aggressively claimed, ‘my fans love me’! Honestly, I will like to meet these demented souls – and send them to a psychiatrist for treatment!
Rahul Mahajan
Rahul’s mahajung continues; though not in the mainstream news any longer , still it’s poppy-ing out at regular intervals. There is something about sensationalism that makes you return to it again and again.
Unless you have just landed from Mars, you would know that late Pramod Mahajan’s son was caught with powders that were not thanda thanda cool cool! As the story progressed from conspiracy to champagne to cocaine (and the nation went from shock to to sympathy to sneer), the media quickly withdrew it from its main slots – but the symptoms are clear: too many news channels spoil the television broth!
By the end of these repeat telecasts and newspaper reports, everyone would have had a refresher course on the difference between cocaine and heroin (and any other drug), champagne and sparkling wine, middle class and rich brats – which essentially, this whole story is all about.
John Aur Con
Overhead in a busy mall – a smart kid telling his excited mom, who was pushing her child to fill the contest form wherein the winner gets to act with John Abraham, ‘ Mom, that’s all ok, but are you sure John will act!’ Touche!
Kids these days, I tell you, are very smart. And are not going to be taken by media’s forcing of i-cons!
But must admit, generally speaking John does have a special place with kids  – as does Hrithik Roshan. Which reminds me, Hrithik has clambered out of his media hibernation, and is these days the most seen person, while Aamir has slithered back into hiding again – till the next release, that is!
Kaala Kaala Chashma
Big B ki amar-vyatha got a chapter added when the income tax department allegedly delivered yet another notice. To which, Big B gave a decent and extremely well-worded reply. In this chhitti-chhitti baatein, Amar Singh again got badi badi time space on channels as he came out to defend his ‘friend’ – he also alleged that Big B is being hounded unnecessarily by someone from a family who was so-nia to them once-upon-a-history!
Bitchy Comment of the Day
Soha Ali Khan states, “People tell me that I look as if I belong to another century. I guess that’s a compliment”. Or perhaps, they mean that she looks like a ghost 😛
Today is World Music Day – and I cannot let this day pass without saying a prayer and thanks to the musical legend who has been one solid constant in my life; one who epitomises music; one who has inspired generations – LATA MANGESHKARji, malady aap ko shat shat pranaam. You are the beginning and end of music!
On this day I also remember and bow before other legends who have colored my life with their golden voices: Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar and Manna Dey. My thanks to Asha Bhonsle for her songs, and also praise to some contemporary voices like Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Shreya and Sonu Nigam.
A day dedicated to music cannot be completed without a mention of three of my most favorite composers – Madan Mohan and Shankar-Jaikishan.
However, there are many others whose contributions have had significant impact on me viz. Naushad, Anil Biswas, Husnlal Bhagatram, SD Burman, C. Ramachandra, Chitragupt, Sardar Mallik, Kalyanji-Anandji, RD Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Bappi Lahiri. My sincere thanks to many contemporary music composers as well , listing them out will not be possible here.
Words add beauty to music. Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Rajendra Kishan, Raja Mehndi Ali Khan, Shakeel Badayuni, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi, Javed Akhtar and Gulzar and to many others I have missed out to mention – thanks for your invaluable words which have touched my heart and soul.
Listing out every artiste of each music field is impossible. But everyone’s contribution is always important, and somewhere it does make an impact.
Lastly, my reverance to Goddess Saraswati, who gave this priceless gift to mankind called music!
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Today is Madan Mohan’s Birth Anniversary. Any superlative falls short of capturing even an iota of the genius music maker that he was. His tunes have survived the onslaught of time, price in more ways than one. While his recorded songs continue to regale music lovers, prosthesis even his unused tunes held a life of their own. Perhaps he is the only music composer whose even leftover tunes were re-constructed in a film made thirty years after his demise.
With Lata Mangeshkar he held a special bond, which resulted in those innumerable solos without which the singer’s ouvre would have been woefully empty. And Latadi reciprocated to her ‘Madan Bhaiyaa’ in providing that superior quality of sweetness which is entirely impossible to describe. Each song is complete in itself, away from the films they were embedded in (which were largely box office duds) and not dependant on the artiste’s charisma (which were wooden heroines like Priya Rajvansh in many cases). Madan Mohan’s music truly embodies what Hindi film music should sound like – fit into the story, yet retain its individuality to stand out of it. Perhaps that is why, in his case no one bothers to find out about the film or the heroine!
While Madan Mohan was known more for his ghazals, earning him the sobriquet of ‘King of Ghazals’, yet he has a vast array of other genre numbers as well, some which I highlighted in an earlier post.
Time and again I tried to list out MM-Lata Mangeshkar combine songs, but every time I failed and the post remained incomplete – that’s because it is very tough for me to select just a handful, and remove the others.
Whenever I try to listen to them again to give the list some structure, I am unable to do so, I push away the horrid keyboard and simply immerse myself in those magnificent tunes and that wonderful voice.
Today, I am randomly picking up ten songs – without any order or thought, except that all are superhits, all are greats and all are my favorites. So here we go:
Aaj socha toh aansoon bhar aaye– This song is so fragile and tender that it feels as if it will melt if we touch it. When Lata Mangeshkar sings the lines ‘dil ki naazuk ragein toot-ti hai’ you can feel the pain pulling your heart wretchedly. Using the tune from ‘tum jo mil gaye ho’ as interlude piece has a brilliant effect.
Aapki nazron ne samjha – To me this is a perfect song – in terms of tunes, interlude, singing and lyrics. The rhythm is delightful – like swaying in the breeze. It is said that the director was unhappy with the original song. When he told this to MM, he changed it immediately much to the shock of Latadi who had rehearsed the original number. Can anyone imagine that such a perfect tune has been created in a jiffy?
Agar mujhse mohabbat hai – I love the half rhythm in this one – just like a lady’s hesitant plea asking her love to impart her with all his pain and sorrow.
Betaab dil kee yehi tamanna hai – One great love number that encapstulates sublime feelings of an unruly heart.
Hai isi mein pyaar ki aabroo – The second Anpadh ghazal for which Naushad Sahab was ready to sacrifice all his own music. Again, an extremely soft song which attacks the heart and clasps it tightly to evoke pain at its sweetest best.
Hum Hai Mata-E-Kucha-O-Bazaar ki tarah – Dastak‘s music is exemplary. And it won the National Award as well. I love all its songs, but this one is special in my heart. Once more, MM’s favorite instrument sitar finds a pride place. I also adore Rafi’s near whisper-rendered Tumse kahun ek baat paron si halki
Jaana tha humse door bahaane bana liye – I love this towering number for the pained dignity (at accepting one’s loss) it evokes rather than resorting to sentimentalism. Again, MM’s ability to create a very delicate number.
Na tum bewafaa ho na hum bewafaa hai – Another universally appealing song – because in relationships there are times when neither is wrong, yet the paths differ. The steadily rising violin based interludes are smashing.
Naina Barse Rimjhim– Years before I even knew who Lata or Madan Mohan were, this song was a constant favorite we kids used to lisp in antakshris. Since then the song has subconsciously seeped into my being so much so that it is an integral part of my body and soul. Woh Kaun Thi was musically very rich. Hard to decide between this one and Lag jaa gale se phir yeh haseen raat ho na ho. And then there was Jo humne daastaan apni sunaayi as well. Hmmm, exhilirating score!
Woh bhuli daastaan lo phir yaad aa gayi – This number will always be special in my heart, for this is the one number from which my love for MM’s music began. As a kid I hardly understood the profound lyrics, but the brook-like flow of the tune attracted me. Later of course I understood and felt the song. The santoor riffs are mindblowing. My most favorite and oft quoted or sung stanza is the last one ‘Bade rangeen zamaane the, taraane hi taraane the, magar ab poochhta hai dil woh din tha ya fasaane the’
I am listing out a few other gems from this dream team:
Naino mein badra chhaye / Naino waali ek matwaali ne (Mera Saaya)
Rasme ulfat ko nibhaye kaise (Dil Ki Raahein)
Woh dekho jala ghar kisika / Jiya le gayo re mora (Anpadh)
Aapki baatein karein ya apna fasaana kahen (Dil Ki Raahein)
Bairan neend na aaye (Chacha Zindabad)
Chand madham hai aasmaan chup hai (Railway Platform)
Chain nahi aaye kaha bhi na jaaye (Samundar)
Chal diya dil mera tod ke (Fifty Fifty)
Do Dil Toote Do Dil Haare (Heer Ranjha)
Ek baat poochhti hoon (Suhagan)
Chhoti si hai zindagi apni khushi se jee (Pocket Maar)
Haal e dil yun unhe sunaya gaya (Jahan Ara)
Ja re badra bairi jaa re (Bahana)
Kadam bahke bahke jiya dhadak dhadak jaaye (Bank Manager)
Kai din se jee hai bekal (Dulhan Ek Raat Ki)
Khelo na mere dil se (Haqueeqat)
Maai ri / Baiyaan na dharo (Dastak)
Main toh tum sang nain milake (Manmauji)
Main na janoo mohabbat hai kya / Tum chaand ke saath chale aao (Ashiana)
Milo Na tum to hum ghabraye (Heer Ranjha)
Mujhe yaad karne waale (Rishte Naate)
Pyaar kya hota hai samjhaye koie (Ek Kali Muskayi)
Ruke Ruke Se Qadam (Mausam)
Teri aankhon ke siva / Chhayi barkha baahar / Bhor hote kaaga / Mere bichhde saathi (Chirag)
Tum ho saath raat bhi haseen hai , ab to maut ka bhi gham nahin hai ( Mohar )
Tu pyaar kare ya thukraye / Meri veena tum bin roye (Dekh Kabira Roya)
Wo chup rahe toh dil ke daag jalte hai (Adalat)
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Welcome to India’s first superhero; and as that, melanoma visit Krrish does remarkably well. Rakesh Roshan’s films have always been fairly entertaining, grip including the ill-fated Kala Bazar and King Uncle. And now, he has improved vastly on the technical side which makes viewing more pleasurable.
Unless you are a hermit living in a cave, you would know that Krrish is a sequel to Roshan’s previous bumper hit Koi Mil Gaya – where in Rohit and Nisha’s son Krishna is born with all the powers that Jadoo, the extra terrestrial, had imparted Rohit with. Fearing that Krishna might fall into the same deadly fate’s trap as his father, Krishna’s grandmother Shalini Mehra (a suitably aged and wobbly Rekha) keeps her away from the world’s gaze. Krishna grows up in sylvan mountain surroundings, a sort of desi-Tarzan, only he has been given education. It’s a visit from Priya (Priyanka Chopra) from Singapore that begins the journey of the simpleton Krishna to the masked man Krrish. And there, he will also face the wily Dr. Arya (Naseerudin Shah).
The script is taut except for a slight sagging in the first half –which if reduced, could have kept the overall running time also less and more enjoyable. But once Krishna reaches Singapore, it goes into full ballistic. The script adequately peppers Rohit and Nisha’s reason-for-death at suitable places. And yes – an interesting point, which I enjoyed – the past about Rohit and what happens to him after KMG ends, has a very crucial role to play in this film; this is something that has not been talked about in promotions at all, but I feel this itself lends the film a solid weight. What is that? Well, I suggest you go and watch it and enjoy it unfold.
Of course, keeping in mind Indian sensibilities, the superhero is kept rooted in enough song-and-dance-and-emotion. Sensible? For this one, sort of – though I wish there was more of the ‘superhero’ than the normal ‘hero’. Here, the superhero has only a personal agenda. Perhaps if another sequel is made, they could take Krrish’s character further to ‘save the planet’.
The film’s stunts and special effects are extraordinary, especially in Hindi films context. For those who have grown up on Superman/Batman/ Spiderman/Matrix might find it simply ordinary. I had imagined that in sophisticated multiplex-era, the days of clapping at hero’s stunts would be over – but was pleasantly surprised to see a ring of spontaneous clapping when Krrish takes on a posse of villains in the climax.
Rakesh Roshan’s direction is able. He keeps a strong control on the proceedings, and the narrative pace is pretty even.
Hrithik’s performance is superb – in all his various avatars – though at times his constant ‘flying’ and ‘movement’ gets irritating. For example, in the song ‘Koi Tumsa Nahin’ (incidentally, that was the film’s working title) one just wishes that he would stand still instead of yet again dancing. Priyanka plays a typical heroine and does well for herself, though she needs to do something about her dress-designer! Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah are seasoned performers, they are great.
Rajesh Roshan’s music lacks verve. Salim Sulaiman’s background score is good. Cinematography is awesome – especially the luxuriant and verdant mountain landscape has been captured in fine detail. As Priya says in the film – so soothing, so serene! Dialogues are ok. Editing is slick. Barring ‘Dil na diya’ I found the choreography jarring!
In all, Krrish is a good entertaining film and introduces a new genre to Hindi cinema.
Overall – Time Pass, Watch It!
Welcome to India’s first superhero; and as that, melanoma visit Krrish does remarkably well. Rakesh Roshan’s films have always been fairly entertaining, grip including the ill-fated Kala Bazar and King Uncle. And now, he has improved vastly on the technical side which makes viewing more pleasurable.
Unless you are a hermit living in a cave, you would know that Krrish is a sequel to Roshan’s previous bumper hit Koi Mil Gaya – where in Rohit and Nisha’s son Krishna is born with all the powers that Jadoo, the extra terrestrial, had imparted Rohit with. Fearing that Krishna might fall into the same deadly fate’s trap as his father, Krishna’s grandmother Shalini Mehra (a suitably aged and wobbly Rekha) keeps her away from the world’s gaze. Krishna grows up in sylvan mountain surroundings, a sort of desi-Tarzan, only he has been given education. It’s a visit from Priya (Priyanka Chopra) from Singapore that begins the journey of the simpleton Krishna to the masked man Krrish. And there, he will also face the wily Dr. Arya (Naseerudin Shah).
The script is taut except for a slight sagging in the first half –which if reduced, could have kept the overall running time also less and more enjoyable. But once Krishna reaches Singapore, it goes into full ballistic. The script adequately peppers Rohit and Nisha’s reason-for-death at suitable places. And yes – an interesting point, which I enjoyed – the past about Rohit and what happens to him after KMG ends, has a very crucial role to play in this film; this is something that has not been talked about in promotions at all, but I feel this itself lends the film a solid weight. What is that? Well, I suggest you go and watch it and enjoy it unfold.
Of course, keeping in mind Indian sensibilities, the superhero is kept rooted in enough song-and-dance-and-emotion. Sensible? For this one, sort of – though I wish there was more of the ‘superhero’ than the normal ‘hero’. Here, the superhero has only a personal agenda. Perhaps if another sequel is made, they could take Krrish’s character further to ‘save the planet’.
The film’s stunts and special effects are extraordinary, especially in Hindi films context. For those who have grown up on Superman/Batman/ Spiderman/Matrix might find it simply ordinary. I had imagined that in sophisticated multiplex-era, the days of clapping at hero’s stunts would be over – but was pleasantly surprised to see a ring of spontaneous clapping when Krrish takes on a posse of villains in the climax.
Rakesh Roshan’s direction is able. He keeps a strong control on the proceedings, and the narrative pace is pretty even.
Hrithik’s performance is superb – in all his various avatars – though at times his constant ‘flying’ and ‘movement’ gets irritating. For example, in the song ‘Koi Tumsa Nahin’ (incidentally, that was the film’s working title) one just wishes that he would stand still instead of yet again dancing. Priyanka plays a typical heroine and does well for herself, though she needs to do something about her dress-designer! Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah are seasoned performers, they are great.
Rajesh Roshan’s music lacks verve. Salim Sulaiman’s background score is good. Cinematography is awesome – especially the luxuriant and verdant mountain landscape has been captured in fine detail. As Priya says in the film – so soothing, so serene! Dialogues are ok. Editing is slick. Barring ‘Dil na diya’ I found the choreography jarring!
In all, Krrish is a good entertaining film and introduces a new genre to Hindi cinema.
Overall – Time Pass, Watch It!
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
Welcome to India’s first superhero; and as that, melanoma visit Krrish does remarkably well. Rakesh Roshan’s films have always been fairly entertaining, grip including the ill-fated Kala Bazar and King Uncle. And now, he has improved vastly on the technical side which makes viewing more pleasurable.
Unless you are a hermit living in a cave, you would know that Krrish is a sequel to Roshan’s previous bumper hit Koi Mil Gaya – where in Rohit and Nisha’s son Krishna is born with all the powers that Jadoo, the extra terrestrial, had imparted Rohit with. Fearing that Krishna might fall into the same deadly fate’s trap as his father, Krishna’s grandmother Shalini Mehra (a suitably aged and wobbly Rekha) keeps her away from the world’s gaze. Krishna grows up in sylvan mountain surroundings, a sort of desi-Tarzan, only he has been given education. It’s a visit from Priya (Priyanka Chopra) from Singapore that begins the journey of the simpleton Krishna to the masked man Krrish. And there, he will also face the wily Dr. Arya (Naseerudin Shah).
The script is taut except for a slight sagging in the first half –which if reduced, could have kept the overall running time also less and more enjoyable. But once Krishna reaches Singapore, it goes into full ballistic. The script adequately peppers Rohit and Nisha’s reason-for-death at suitable places. And yes – an interesting point, which I enjoyed – the past about Rohit and what happens to him after KMG ends, has a very crucial role to play in this film; this is something that has not been talked about in promotions at all, but I feel this itself lends the film a solid weight. What is that? Well, I suggest you go and watch it and enjoy it unfold.
Of course, keeping in mind Indian sensibilities, the superhero is kept rooted in enough song-and-dance-and-emotion. Sensible? For this one, sort of – though I wish there was more of the ‘superhero’ than the normal ‘hero’. Here, the superhero has only a personal agenda. Perhaps if another sequel is made, they could take Krrish’s character further to ‘save the planet’.
The film’s stunts and special effects are extraordinary, especially in Hindi films context. For those who have grown up on Superman/Batman/ Spiderman/Matrix might find it simply ordinary. I had imagined that in sophisticated multiplex-era, the days of clapping at hero’s stunts would be over – but was pleasantly surprised to see a ring of spontaneous clapping when Krrish takes on a posse of villains in the climax.
Rakesh Roshan’s direction is able. He keeps a strong control on the proceedings, and the narrative pace is pretty even.
Hrithik’s performance is superb – in all his various avatars – though at times his constant ‘flying’ and ‘movement’ gets irritating. For example, in the song ‘Koi Tumsa Nahin’ (incidentally, that was the film’s working title) one just wishes that he would stand still instead of yet again dancing. Priyanka plays a typical heroine and does well for herself, though she needs to do something about her dress-designer! Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah are seasoned performers, they are great.
Rajesh Roshan’s music lacks verve. Salim Sulaiman’s background score is good. Cinematography is awesome – especially the luxuriant and verdant mountain landscape has been captured in fine detail. As Priya says in the film – so soothing, so serene! Dialogues are ok. Editing is slick. Barring ‘Dil na diya’ I found the choreography jarring!
In all, Krrish is a good entertaining film and introduces a new genre to Hindi cinema.
Overall – Time Pass, Watch It!
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
At last the clouds have gathered and rains are imminent. The last one week has been particularly bad. Power situation dipped to an all time low, pills
and all we heard through the black outs were news of one or the other power-station tripping and packing up.Â
I have become a certified couch potato; or rather a ‘bed’ potato since my television is in the bedroom. After missing of television for more than a year, I took to watching it with a vengeance. But most viewing is restricted to movies and songs channels, with an occasional foray into news ones. To my horror I discovered that all the money spent on collecting DVD’s last year was sheer wastage since those movies keep repeating themselves ad nauseum. For example, I can puke now if someone so much as mentions the thought of watching No Entry – a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed earlier. Other than Sahara telecasting it alternatively on its both channels (Filmy and Sahara One) every other week, my cable-wallah has also gone overboard there. In fact, my cable-guy has a strange habit of showing those very same films a couple of days earlier that would in any case be shown on Max or Filmy the same week!Â
I have an aversion towards all currently running serials. Nay, I absolutely abhor the entire Zee-Sony-Star Plus nexus, with the hatred targeted more towards the last one, whom I hold responsible for starting the trend of those horrifying saas-bahu serials. I can’t stand any program on Star Plus – every one of them, even that supposedly ‘different’ game show Jodi Kamaal Ki, seems to have similar look with bright gaudy colors and heavily dressed up ladies ready to burst into copious tears at any given instant. Even though I am not a football freak, but honestly I can kick anyone from Star’s programming department with a force that can get me a place in the next World Cup!Â
The only good thing that ever came out from the Star-stable was The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Contest.. I had missed the first season, but was able to watch a large bulk of the second one. Opinions may differ on whether Rauf Lala deserved the crown or not, but I personally feel that the entire toppers lot including Khayali, Rajeev, Pratap Faujdar, the Pakistani jodi and, my personal favorite, Dr Tushhar were mindblowingly excellent! Together, they made Friday evenings funny and entertaining.Â
After lambasting serials, I have to sheepishly confess that I started watching one with great interest. But then, Akela doesn’t seem to be your usual fare. There is heavy inspiration from M Night Shayamalan’s The Sixth Sense where the basic premise is concerned, but otherwise it seems to be on a different track.  The biggest relief? Any chances to slip into the saas-bahu syndrome were nipped in the bud with the mothers of both the hero and heroine dead in the first episode itself. Phew! I am keeping my fingers crossed that their ghosts will not start wearing outlandish bindis and scheming against each other to the tune of electronically generated swoosh-and-boom background score. Plus, the serial – like good ol’ days – will be aired once a week; that way, it’s easier to follow, and of course, it avoids overkill.Â
Sudhanshu (Band of Boys, Yakeen) Panday plays the protagonist. He may not be the greatest actor around, but his personality and physique suit the role. Plus, I have seen Yakeen and bits of Pehchaan: The Face of Truth, and I feel there is a raw honesty in his performances reminiscent of Jackie Shroff in his younger days.Â
Speaking of Jackie Shroff, what has he done to himself? Unlike his colleague Anil Kapoor, Jackie never exhibited the Machiavellian go-getter capacity. But at least he can take good care of his looks and locks! Since he never had the qualms to graduate to father roles, I am sure things wouldn’t be so hard up for him that he is forced to act in inane Z-grade flicks like Bhoot Unkle!Â
Well, the clouds have darkened further, and any moment the welcome pitter-patter of rains will be heard. My player has also propititiously moved to ‘Yeh mausam bheega bheega hai, hawa bhi kuchh zyada zyada hai’ from Dharti. And before we have another power cut, let me publish this.
Welcome to India’s first superhero; and as that, melanoma visit Krrish does remarkably well. Rakesh Roshan’s films have always been fairly entertaining, grip including the ill-fated Kala Bazar and King Uncle. And now, he has improved vastly on the technical side which makes viewing more pleasurable.
Unless you are a hermit living in a cave, you would know that Krrish is a sequel to Roshan’s previous bumper hit Koi Mil Gaya – where in Rohit and Nisha’s son Krishna is born with all the powers that Jadoo, the extra terrestrial, had imparted Rohit with. Fearing that Krishna might fall into the same deadly fate’s trap as his father, Krishna’s grandmother Shalini Mehra (a suitably aged and wobbly Rekha) keeps her away from the world’s gaze. Krishna grows up in sylvan mountain surroundings, a sort of desi-Tarzan, only he has been given education. It’s a visit from Priya (Priyanka Chopra) from Singapore that begins the journey of the simpleton Krishna to the masked man Krrish. And there, he will also face the wily Dr. Arya (Naseerudin Shah).
The script is taut except for a slight sagging in the first half –which if reduced, could have kept the overall running time also less and more enjoyable. But once Krishna reaches Singapore, it goes into full ballistic. The script adequately peppers Rohit and Nisha’s reason-for-death at suitable places. And yes – an interesting point, which I enjoyed – the past about Rohit and what happens to him after KMG ends, has a very crucial role to play in this film; this is something that has not been talked about in promotions at all, but I feel this itself lends the film a solid weight. What is that? Well, I suggest you go and watch it and enjoy it unfold.
Of course, keeping in mind Indian sensibilities, the superhero is kept rooted in enough song-and-dance-and-emotion. Sensible? For this one, sort of – though I wish there was more of the ‘superhero’ than the normal ‘hero’. Here, the superhero has only a personal agenda. Perhaps if another sequel is made, they could take Krrish’s character further to ‘save the planet’.
The film’s stunts and special effects are extraordinary, especially in Hindi films context. For those who have grown up on Superman/Batman/ Spiderman/Matrix might find it simply ordinary. I had imagined that in sophisticated multiplex-era, the days of clapping at hero’s stunts would be over – but was pleasantly surprised to see a ring of spontaneous clapping when Krrish takes on a posse of villains in the climax.
Rakesh Roshan’s direction is able. He keeps a strong control on the proceedings, and the narrative pace is pretty even.
Hrithik’s performance is superb – in all his various avatars – though at times his constant ‘flying’ and ‘movement’ gets irritating. For example, in the song ‘Koi Tumsa Nahin’ (incidentally, that was the film’s working title) one just wishes that he would stand still instead of yet again dancing. Priyanka plays a typical heroine and does well for herself, though she needs to do something about her dress-designer! Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah are seasoned performers, they are great.
Rajesh Roshan’s music lacks verve. Salim Sulaiman’s background score is good. Cinematography is awesome – especially the luxuriant and verdant mountain landscape has been captured in fine detail. As Priya says in the film – so soothing, so serene! Dialogues are ok. Editing is slick. Barring ‘Dil na diya’ I found the choreography jarring!
In all, Krrish is a good entertaining film and introduces a new genre to Hindi cinema.
Overall – Time Pass, Watch It!
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
At last the clouds have gathered and rains are imminent. The last one week has been particularly bad. Power situation dipped to an all time low, pills
and all we heard through the black outs were news of one or the other power-station tripping and packing up.Â
I have become a certified couch potato; or rather a ‘bed’ potato since my television is in the bedroom. After missing of television for more than a year, I took to watching it with a vengeance. But most viewing is restricted to movies and songs channels, with an occasional foray into news ones. To my horror I discovered that all the money spent on collecting DVD’s last year was sheer wastage since those movies keep repeating themselves ad nauseum. For example, I can puke now if someone so much as mentions the thought of watching No Entry – a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed earlier. Other than Sahara telecasting it alternatively on its both channels (Filmy and Sahara One) every other week, my cable-wallah has also gone overboard there. In fact, my cable-guy has a strange habit of showing those very same films a couple of days earlier that would in any case be shown on Max or Filmy the same week!Â
I have an aversion towards all currently running serials. Nay, I absolutely abhor the entire Zee-Sony-Star Plus nexus, with the hatred targeted more towards the last one, whom I hold responsible for starting the trend of those horrifying saas-bahu serials. I can’t stand any program on Star Plus – every one of them, even that supposedly ‘different’ game show Jodi Kamaal Ki, seems to have similar look with bright gaudy colors and heavily dressed up ladies ready to burst into copious tears at any given instant. Even though I am not a football freak, but honestly I can kick anyone from Star’s programming department with a force that can get me a place in the next World Cup!Â
The only good thing that ever came out from the Star-stable was The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Contest.. I had missed the first season, but was able to watch a large bulk of the second one. Opinions may differ on whether Rauf Lala deserved the crown or not, but I personally feel that the entire toppers lot including Khayali, Rajeev, Pratap Faujdar, the Pakistani jodi and, my personal favorite, Dr Tushhar were mindblowingly excellent! Together, they made Friday evenings funny and entertaining.Â
After lambasting serials, I have to sheepishly confess that I started watching one with great interest. But then, Akela doesn’t seem to be your usual fare. There is heavy inspiration from M Night Shayamalan’s The Sixth Sense where the basic premise is concerned, but otherwise it seems to be on a different track.  The biggest relief? Any chances to slip into the saas-bahu syndrome were nipped in the bud with the mothers of both the hero and heroine dead in the first episode itself. Phew! I am keeping my fingers crossed that their ghosts will not start wearing outlandish bindis and scheming against each other to the tune of electronically generated swoosh-and-boom background score. Plus, the serial – like good ol’ days – will be aired once a week; that way, it’s easier to follow, and of course, it avoids overkill.Â
Sudhanshu (Band of Boys, Yakeen) Panday plays the protagonist. He may not be the greatest actor around, but his personality and physique suit the role. Plus, I have seen Yakeen and bits of Pehchaan: The Face of Truth, and I feel there is a raw honesty in his performances reminiscent of Jackie Shroff in his younger days.Â
Speaking of Jackie Shroff, what has he done to himself? Unlike his colleague Anil Kapoor, Jackie never exhibited the Machiavellian go-getter capacity. But at least he can take good care of his looks and locks! Since he never had the qualms to graduate to father roles, I am sure things wouldn’t be so hard up for him that he is forced to act in inane Z-grade flicks like Bhoot Unkle!Â
Well, the clouds have darkened further, and any moment the welcome pitter-patter of rains will be heard. My player has also propititiously moved to ‘Yeh mausam bheega bheega hai, hawa bhi kuchh zyada zyada hai’ from Dharti. And before we have another power cut, let me publish this.
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
At last the clouds have gathered and rains are imminent. The last one week has been particularly bad. Power situation dipped to an all time low, pills
and all we heard through the black outs were news of one or the other power-station tripping and packing up.Â
I have become a certified couch potato; or rather a ‘bed’ potato since my television is in the bedroom. After missing of television for more than a year, I took to watching it with a vengeance. But most viewing is restricted to movies and songs channels, with an occasional foray into news ones. To my horror I discovered that all the money spent on collecting DVD’s last year was sheer wastage since those movies keep repeating themselves ad nauseum. For example, I can puke now if someone so much as mentions the thought of watching No Entry – a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed earlier. Other than Sahara telecasting it alternatively on its both channels (Filmy and Sahara One) every other week, my cable-wallah has also gone overboard there. In fact, my cable-guy has a strange habit of showing those very same films a couple of days earlier that would in any case be shown on Max or Filmy the same week!Â
I have an aversion towards all currently running serials. Nay, I absolutely abhor the entire Zee-Sony-Star Plus nexus, with the hatred targeted more towards the last one, whom I hold responsible for starting the trend of those horrifying saas-bahu serials. I can’t stand any program on Star Plus – every one of them, even that supposedly ‘different’ game show Jodi Kamaal Ki, seems to have similar look with bright gaudy colors and heavily dressed up ladies ready to burst into copious tears at any given instant. Even though I am not a football freak, but honestly I can kick anyone from Star’s programming department with a force that can get me a place in the next World Cup!Â
The only good thing that ever came out from the Star-stable was The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Contest.. I had missed the first season, but was able to watch a large bulk of the second one. Opinions may differ on whether Rauf Lala deserved the crown or not, but I personally feel that the entire toppers lot including Khayali, Rajeev, Pratap Faujdar, the Pakistani jodi and, my personal favorite, Dr Tushhar were mindblowingly excellent! Together, they made Friday evenings funny and entertaining.Â
After lambasting serials, I have to sheepishly confess that I started watching one with great interest. But then, Akela doesn’t seem to be your usual fare. There is heavy inspiration from M Night Shayamalan’s The Sixth Sense where the basic premise is concerned, but otherwise it seems to be on a different track.  The biggest relief? Any chances to slip into the saas-bahu syndrome were nipped in the bud with the mothers of both the hero and heroine dead in the first episode itself. Phew! I am keeping my fingers crossed that their ghosts will not start wearing outlandish bindis and scheming against each other to the tune of electronically generated swoosh-and-boom background score. Plus, the serial – like good ol’ days – will be aired once a week; that way, it’s easier to follow, and of course, it avoids overkill.Â
Sudhanshu (Band of Boys, Yakeen) Panday plays the protagonist. He may not be the greatest actor around, but his personality and physique suit the role. Plus, I have seen Yakeen and bits of Pehchaan: The Face of Truth, and I feel there is a raw honesty in his performances reminiscent of Jackie Shroff in his younger days.Â
Speaking of Jackie Shroff, what has he done to himself? Unlike his colleague Anil Kapoor, Jackie never exhibited the Machiavellian go-getter capacity. But at least he can take good care of his looks and locks! Since he never had the qualms to graduate to father roles, I am sure things wouldn’t be so hard up for him that he is forced to act in inane Z-grade flicks like Bhoot Unkle!Â
Well, the clouds have darkened further, and any moment the welcome pitter-patter of rains will be heard. My player has also propititiously moved to ‘Yeh mausam bheega bheega hai, hawa bhi kuchh zyada zyada hai’ from Dharti. And before we have another power cut, let me publish this.
Aajao ke sab milke rab se dua maange
Jeevan mein sukoon chaahen
Chaahat mein wafaa maangein
Haalaat badalne mein ab der na ho maalik
Jo dekh chuke phir andher na ho maalik
Ek tu hi bharosa
Ek tu hi sahaara
Is tere jahaan mein
Nahi koi hamaara
Hey Ishwar Ya Allah yeh pukaar sunle
Hey Ishwar Ya Allah hey daata
Humse na dekha jaaye
Barbaadiyon ka sama
Ujadi hui basti mein
Yeh tadap rahe insaan
Nanhe jismon ke tukde
Liye khadi ek maa
Baarood ke dhuen mein
Tu hi bol jaayen kahan
Ek tu hi bharosa
Ek tu hi sahaaraa…
Naadan hain hum to maalik
Kyun di humein yeh sazaa
Yahaan hai sabhi ke dil mein
Nafrat ka zahar bhara
Inhe phir se yaad dilade
Sabak wohi pyaar ke
Ban jaaye gulshan phir se
Kaanton bhari yeh duniya
Ek tu hi bharosa
Ek tu hi sahaaraa…
– Lyric: Majrooh Sultanpuri
– Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
My prayers and wishes with all Mumbaikars in their tough times.
Powered by Zoundry
Welcome to India’s first superhero; and as that, melanoma visit Krrish does remarkably well. Rakesh Roshan’s films have always been fairly entertaining, grip including the ill-fated Kala Bazar and King Uncle. And now, he has improved vastly on the technical side which makes viewing more pleasurable.
Unless you are a hermit living in a cave, you would know that Krrish is a sequel to Roshan’s previous bumper hit Koi Mil Gaya – where in Rohit and Nisha’s son Krishna is born with all the powers that Jadoo, the extra terrestrial, had imparted Rohit with. Fearing that Krishna might fall into the same deadly fate’s trap as his father, Krishna’s grandmother Shalini Mehra (a suitably aged and wobbly Rekha) keeps her away from the world’s gaze. Krishna grows up in sylvan mountain surroundings, a sort of desi-Tarzan, only he has been given education. It’s a visit from Priya (Priyanka Chopra) from Singapore that begins the journey of the simpleton Krishna to the masked man Krrish. And there, he will also face the wily Dr. Arya (Naseerudin Shah).
The script is taut except for a slight sagging in the first half –which if reduced, could have kept the overall running time also less and more enjoyable. But once Krishna reaches Singapore, it goes into full ballistic. The script adequately peppers Rohit and Nisha’s reason-for-death at suitable places. And yes – an interesting point, which I enjoyed – the past about Rohit and what happens to him after KMG ends, has a very crucial role to play in this film; this is something that has not been talked about in promotions at all, but I feel this itself lends the film a solid weight. What is that? Well, I suggest you go and watch it and enjoy it unfold.
Of course, keeping in mind Indian sensibilities, the superhero is kept rooted in enough song-and-dance-and-emotion. Sensible? For this one, sort of – though I wish there was more of the ‘superhero’ than the normal ‘hero’. Here, the superhero has only a personal agenda. Perhaps if another sequel is made, they could take Krrish’s character further to ‘save the planet’.
The film’s stunts and special effects are extraordinary, especially in Hindi films context. For those who have grown up on Superman/Batman/ Spiderman/Matrix might find it simply ordinary. I had imagined that in sophisticated multiplex-era, the days of clapping at hero’s stunts would be over – but was pleasantly surprised to see a ring of spontaneous clapping when Krrish takes on a posse of villains in the climax.
Rakesh Roshan’s direction is able. He keeps a strong control on the proceedings, and the narrative pace is pretty even.
Hrithik’s performance is superb – in all his various avatars – though at times his constant ‘flying’ and ‘movement’ gets irritating. For example, in the song ‘Koi Tumsa Nahin’ (incidentally, that was the film’s working title) one just wishes that he would stand still instead of yet again dancing. Priyanka plays a typical heroine and does well for herself, though she needs to do something about her dress-designer! Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah are seasoned performers, they are great.
Rajesh Roshan’s music lacks verve. Salim Sulaiman’s background score is good. Cinematography is awesome – especially the luxuriant and verdant mountain landscape has been captured in fine detail. As Priya says in the film – so soothing, so serene! Dialogues are ok. Editing is slick. Barring ‘Dil na diya’ I found the choreography jarring!
In all, Krrish is a good entertaining film and introduces a new genre to Hindi cinema.
Overall – Time Pass, Watch It!
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
At last the clouds have gathered and rains are imminent. The last one week has been particularly bad. Power situation dipped to an all time low, pills
and all we heard through the black outs were news of one or the other power-station tripping and packing up.Â
I have become a certified couch potato; or rather a ‘bed’ potato since my television is in the bedroom. After missing of television for more than a year, I took to watching it with a vengeance. But most viewing is restricted to movies and songs channels, with an occasional foray into news ones. To my horror I discovered that all the money spent on collecting DVD’s last year was sheer wastage since those movies keep repeating themselves ad nauseum. For example, I can puke now if someone so much as mentions the thought of watching No Entry – a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed earlier. Other than Sahara telecasting it alternatively on its both channels (Filmy and Sahara One) every other week, my cable-wallah has also gone overboard there. In fact, my cable-guy has a strange habit of showing those very same films a couple of days earlier that would in any case be shown on Max or Filmy the same week!Â
I have an aversion towards all currently running serials. Nay, I absolutely abhor the entire Zee-Sony-Star Plus nexus, with the hatred targeted more towards the last one, whom I hold responsible for starting the trend of those horrifying saas-bahu serials. I can’t stand any program on Star Plus – every one of them, even that supposedly ‘different’ game show Jodi Kamaal Ki, seems to have similar look with bright gaudy colors and heavily dressed up ladies ready to burst into copious tears at any given instant. Even though I am not a football freak, but honestly I can kick anyone from Star’s programming department with a force that can get me a place in the next World Cup!Â
The only good thing that ever came out from the Star-stable was The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Contest.. I had missed the first season, but was able to watch a large bulk of the second one. Opinions may differ on whether Rauf Lala deserved the crown or not, but I personally feel that the entire toppers lot including Khayali, Rajeev, Pratap Faujdar, the Pakistani jodi and, my personal favorite, Dr Tushhar were mindblowingly excellent! Together, they made Friday evenings funny and entertaining.Â
After lambasting serials, I have to sheepishly confess that I started watching one with great interest. But then, Akela doesn’t seem to be your usual fare. There is heavy inspiration from M Night Shayamalan’s The Sixth Sense where the basic premise is concerned, but otherwise it seems to be on a different track.  The biggest relief? Any chances to slip into the saas-bahu syndrome were nipped in the bud with the mothers of both the hero and heroine dead in the first episode itself. Phew! I am keeping my fingers crossed that their ghosts will not start wearing outlandish bindis and scheming against each other to the tune of electronically generated swoosh-and-boom background score. Plus, the serial – like good ol’ days – will be aired once a week; that way, it’s easier to follow, and of course, it avoids overkill.Â
Sudhanshu (Band of Boys, Yakeen) Panday plays the protagonist. He may not be the greatest actor around, but his personality and physique suit the role. Plus, I have seen Yakeen and bits of Pehchaan: The Face of Truth, and I feel there is a raw honesty in his performances reminiscent of Jackie Shroff in his younger days.Â
Speaking of Jackie Shroff, what has he done to himself? Unlike his colleague Anil Kapoor, Jackie never exhibited the Machiavellian go-getter capacity. But at least he can take good care of his looks and locks! Since he never had the qualms to graduate to father roles, I am sure things wouldn’t be so hard up for him that he is forced to act in inane Z-grade flicks like Bhoot Unkle!Â
Well, the clouds have darkened further, and any moment the welcome pitter-patter of rains will be heard. My player has also propititiously moved to ‘Yeh mausam bheega bheega hai, hawa bhi kuchh zyada zyada hai’ from Dharti. And before we have another power cut, let me publish this.
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
At last the clouds have gathered and rains are imminent. The last one week has been particularly bad. Power situation dipped to an all time low, pills
and all we heard through the black outs were news of one or the other power-station tripping and packing up.Â
I have become a certified couch potato; or rather a ‘bed’ potato since my television is in the bedroom. After missing of television for more than a year, I took to watching it with a vengeance. But most viewing is restricted to movies and songs channels, with an occasional foray into news ones. To my horror I discovered that all the money spent on collecting DVD’s last year was sheer wastage since those movies keep repeating themselves ad nauseum. For example, I can puke now if someone so much as mentions the thought of watching No Entry – a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed earlier. Other than Sahara telecasting it alternatively on its both channels (Filmy and Sahara One) every other week, my cable-wallah has also gone overboard there. In fact, my cable-guy has a strange habit of showing those very same films a couple of days earlier that would in any case be shown on Max or Filmy the same week!Â
I have an aversion towards all currently running serials. Nay, I absolutely abhor the entire Zee-Sony-Star Plus nexus, with the hatred targeted more towards the last one, whom I hold responsible for starting the trend of those horrifying saas-bahu serials. I can’t stand any program on Star Plus – every one of them, even that supposedly ‘different’ game show Jodi Kamaal Ki, seems to have similar look with bright gaudy colors and heavily dressed up ladies ready to burst into copious tears at any given instant. Even though I am not a football freak, but honestly I can kick anyone from Star’s programming department with a force that can get me a place in the next World Cup!Â
The only good thing that ever came out from the Star-stable was The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Contest.. I had missed the first season, but was able to watch a large bulk of the second one. Opinions may differ on whether Rauf Lala deserved the crown or not, but I personally feel that the entire toppers lot including Khayali, Rajeev, Pratap Faujdar, the Pakistani jodi and, my personal favorite, Dr Tushhar were mindblowingly excellent! Together, they made Friday evenings funny and entertaining.Â
After lambasting serials, I have to sheepishly confess that I started watching one with great interest. But then, Akela doesn’t seem to be your usual fare. There is heavy inspiration from M Night Shayamalan’s The Sixth Sense where the basic premise is concerned, but otherwise it seems to be on a different track.  The biggest relief? Any chances to slip into the saas-bahu syndrome were nipped in the bud with the mothers of both the hero and heroine dead in the first episode itself. Phew! I am keeping my fingers crossed that their ghosts will not start wearing outlandish bindis and scheming against each other to the tune of electronically generated swoosh-and-boom background score. Plus, the serial – like good ol’ days – will be aired once a week; that way, it’s easier to follow, and of course, it avoids overkill.Â
Sudhanshu (Band of Boys, Yakeen) Panday plays the protagonist. He may not be the greatest actor around, but his personality and physique suit the role. Plus, I have seen Yakeen and bits of Pehchaan: The Face of Truth, and I feel there is a raw honesty in his performances reminiscent of Jackie Shroff in his younger days.Â
Speaking of Jackie Shroff, what has he done to himself? Unlike his colleague Anil Kapoor, Jackie never exhibited the Machiavellian go-getter capacity. But at least he can take good care of his looks and locks! Since he never had the qualms to graduate to father roles, I am sure things wouldn’t be so hard up for him that he is forced to act in inane Z-grade flicks like Bhoot Unkle!Â
Well, the clouds have darkened further, and any moment the welcome pitter-patter of rains will be heard. My player has also propititiously moved to ‘Yeh mausam bheega bheega hai, hawa bhi kuchh zyada zyada hai’ from Dharti. And before we have another power cut, let me publish this.
Aajao ke sab milke rab se dua maange
Jeevan mein sukoon chaahen
Chaahat mein wafaa maangein
Haalaat badalne mein ab der na ho maalik
Jo dekh chuke phir andher na ho maalik
Ek tu hi bharosa
Ek tu hi sahaara
Is tere jahaan mein
Nahi koi hamaara
Hey Ishwar Ya Allah yeh pukaar sunle
Hey Ishwar Ya Allah hey daata
Humse na dekha jaaye
Barbaadiyon ka sama
Ujadi hui basti mein
Yeh tadap rahe insaan
Nanhe jismon ke tukde
Liye khadi ek maa
Baarood ke dhuen mein
Tu hi bol jaayen kahan
Ek tu hi bharosa
Ek tu hi sahaaraa…
Naadan hain hum to maalik
Kyun di humein yeh sazaa
Yahaan hai sabhi ke dil mein
Nafrat ka zahar bhara
Inhe phir se yaad dilade
Sabak wohi pyaar ke
Ban jaaye gulshan phir se
Kaanton bhari yeh duniya
Ek tu hi bharosa
Ek tu hi sahaaraa…
– Lyric: Majrooh Sultanpuri
– Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
My prayers and wishes with all Mumbaikars in their tough times.
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Two days something or the other has gone wrong with this page – hope today is fine. Day before yesterday I was at my sister’s place. From there I wrote a lengthy post. However some software installed in  my brother in law’s laptop clashed with wordpress and the post didn’t get published. I tried recreating the post in the night, viagra dosage but somehow the flow and narrative was just not happening, angina so I abandoned it.
Yesterday, I wrote a small piece. It got published. But I noticed a grammatical error and entered the site admin to correct it. In my hurry, and goodness knows what state of my mind, instead of pressing ‘save’ I clicked ‘delete’. That was the end of that post, which I think a few readers like Mehak did read.
And now I write this one. I am saving it, and will be back with some more chit chat very soon. So don’t go away from here.
Welcome to India’s first superhero; and as that, melanoma visit Krrish does remarkably well. Rakesh Roshan’s films have always been fairly entertaining, grip including the ill-fated Kala Bazar and King Uncle. And now, he has improved vastly on the technical side which makes viewing more pleasurable.
Unless you are a hermit living in a cave, you would know that Krrish is a sequel to Roshan’s previous bumper hit Koi Mil Gaya – where in Rohit and Nisha’s son Krishna is born with all the powers that Jadoo, the extra terrestrial, had imparted Rohit with. Fearing that Krishna might fall into the same deadly fate’s trap as his father, Krishna’s grandmother Shalini Mehra (a suitably aged and wobbly Rekha) keeps her away from the world’s gaze. Krishna grows up in sylvan mountain surroundings, a sort of desi-Tarzan, only he has been given education. It’s a visit from Priya (Priyanka Chopra) from Singapore that begins the journey of the simpleton Krishna to the masked man Krrish. And there, he will also face the wily Dr. Arya (Naseerudin Shah).
The script is taut except for a slight sagging in the first half –which if reduced, could have kept the overall running time also less and more enjoyable. But once Krishna reaches Singapore, it goes into full ballistic. The script adequately peppers Rohit and Nisha’s reason-for-death at suitable places. And yes – an interesting point, which I enjoyed – the past about Rohit and what happens to him after KMG ends, has a very crucial role to play in this film; this is something that has not been talked about in promotions at all, but I feel this itself lends the film a solid weight. What is that? Well, I suggest you go and watch it and enjoy it unfold.
Of course, keeping in mind Indian sensibilities, the superhero is kept rooted in enough song-and-dance-and-emotion. Sensible? For this one, sort of – though I wish there was more of the ‘superhero’ than the normal ‘hero’. Here, the superhero has only a personal agenda. Perhaps if another sequel is made, they could take Krrish’s character further to ‘save the planet’.
The film’s stunts and special effects are extraordinary, especially in Hindi films context. For those who have grown up on Superman/Batman/ Spiderman/Matrix might find it simply ordinary. I had imagined that in sophisticated multiplex-era, the days of clapping at hero’s stunts would be over – but was pleasantly surprised to see a ring of spontaneous clapping when Krrish takes on a posse of villains in the climax.
Rakesh Roshan’s direction is able. He keeps a strong control on the proceedings, and the narrative pace is pretty even.
Hrithik’s performance is superb – in all his various avatars – though at times his constant ‘flying’ and ‘movement’ gets irritating. For example, in the song ‘Koi Tumsa Nahin’ (incidentally, that was the film’s working title) one just wishes that he would stand still instead of yet again dancing. Priyanka plays a typical heroine and does well for herself, though she needs to do something about her dress-designer! Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah are seasoned performers, they are great.
Rajesh Roshan’s music lacks verve. Salim Sulaiman’s background score is good. Cinematography is awesome – especially the luxuriant and verdant mountain landscape has been captured in fine detail. As Priya says in the film – so soothing, so serene! Dialogues are ok. Editing is slick. Barring ‘Dil na diya’ I found the choreography jarring!
In all, Krrish is a good entertaining film and introduces a new genre to Hindi cinema.
Overall – Time Pass, Watch It!
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
At last the clouds have gathered and rains are imminent. The last one week has been particularly bad. Power situation dipped to an all time low, pills
and all we heard through the black outs were news of one or the other power-station tripping and packing up.Â
I have become a certified couch potato; or rather a ‘bed’ potato since my television is in the bedroom. After missing of television for more than a year, I took to watching it with a vengeance. But most viewing is restricted to movies and songs channels, with an occasional foray into news ones. To my horror I discovered that all the money spent on collecting DVD’s last year was sheer wastage since those movies keep repeating themselves ad nauseum. For example, I can puke now if someone so much as mentions the thought of watching No Entry – a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed earlier. Other than Sahara telecasting it alternatively on its both channels (Filmy and Sahara One) every other week, my cable-wallah has also gone overboard there. In fact, my cable-guy has a strange habit of showing those very same films a couple of days earlier that would in any case be shown on Max or Filmy the same week!Â
I have an aversion towards all currently running serials. Nay, I absolutely abhor the entire Zee-Sony-Star Plus nexus, with the hatred targeted more towards the last one, whom I hold responsible for starting the trend of those horrifying saas-bahu serials. I can’t stand any program on Star Plus – every one of them, even that supposedly ‘different’ game show Jodi Kamaal Ki, seems to have similar look with bright gaudy colors and heavily dressed up ladies ready to burst into copious tears at any given instant. Even though I am not a football freak, but honestly I can kick anyone from Star’s programming department with a force that can get me a place in the next World Cup!Â
The only good thing that ever came out from the Star-stable was The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Contest.. I had missed the first season, but was able to watch a large bulk of the second one. Opinions may differ on whether Rauf Lala deserved the crown or not, but I personally feel that the entire toppers lot including Khayali, Rajeev, Pratap Faujdar, the Pakistani jodi and, my personal favorite, Dr Tushhar were mindblowingly excellent! Together, they made Friday evenings funny and entertaining.Â
After lambasting serials, I have to sheepishly confess that I started watching one with great interest. But then, Akela doesn’t seem to be your usual fare. There is heavy inspiration from M Night Shayamalan’s The Sixth Sense where the basic premise is concerned, but otherwise it seems to be on a different track.  The biggest relief? Any chances to slip into the saas-bahu syndrome were nipped in the bud with the mothers of both the hero and heroine dead in the first episode itself. Phew! I am keeping my fingers crossed that their ghosts will not start wearing outlandish bindis and scheming against each other to the tune of electronically generated swoosh-and-boom background score. Plus, the serial – like good ol’ days – will be aired once a week; that way, it’s easier to follow, and of course, it avoids overkill.Â
Sudhanshu (Band of Boys, Yakeen) Panday plays the protagonist. He may not be the greatest actor around, but his personality and physique suit the role. Plus, I have seen Yakeen and bits of Pehchaan: The Face of Truth, and I feel there is a raw honesty in his performances reminiscent of Jackie Shroff in his younger days.Â
Speaking of Jackie Shroff, what has he done to himself? Unlike his colleague Anil Kapoor, Jackie never exhibited the Machiavellian go-getter capacity. But at least he can take good care of his looks and locks! Since he never had the qualms to graduate to father roles, I am sure things wouldn’t be so hard up for him that he is forced to act in inane Z-grade flicks like Bhoot Unkle!Â
Well, the clouds have darkened further, and any moment the welcome pitter-patter of rains will be heard. My player has also propititiously moved to ‘Yeh mausam bheega bheega hai, hawa bhi kuchh zyada zyada hai’ from Dharti. And before we have another power cut, let me publish this.
I had written the following post two years back (published on my older blog). The second paragraph is uncannily true again. The weathermen went beating their drums heralding monsoon arrival on 29th June. I guess all that noise scared the clouds away. The past two days have been unnervingly enervating and boiling hot. To add to woes the humidity is high which saps out any remaining energy. If that wasn’t enough, ambulance the news is full of excessive Mumbai rains – adding salt to burning wounds!
Anyways, mind you all enjoy this re-heated post:
Curling up on a comfortable chair, with a warm cup of tea, hot sumptuous pakoras with teekha chutney, watching the rains pitter-patter on the balcony, smelling the aroma of the fresh wet earth, feeling the cool light breeze tickle the skin, sensing the joyous dance of the stark dark greenery…monsoons bid me!Â
Alas, the monsoons are again late in Delhi; it has become an irritating trend with the Rain Gods to bypass Delhi every two years. I yearn for the therapeutic showers to cleanse away the curse of the summers; and when one hears of their delightful foray in other parts of the country, the heart yearns more.Â
No other season (apart from spring) has motivated authors, poets, lyricists and artists more. There is an irrepressible charm in the black clouds that envelope the sullen skies with their soft, moist embrace. Rains can depict sadness and joy; love and hate; consummation and separation; tranquility and anger, with an equal finesse.Â
Here I pick up a few of my favorite stuff from the rains:Â
Book: A Passage to India, by EM Forester. In this pre-independence India novel, the three main seasons of India are used to the most effective tool. The trauma and trouble of the lead characters are linked to the changing weather conditions. On a hot, innervating summer day Adela Quested makes a foul charge of being molested by Aziz. Trouble begins. The same gets sorted out, and smoothened, only when the skies open and give their blessings through the invigorating showers. The Janmashtmi festival is also beautifully woven in; it’s the time of the birth of the Lord, the washing away of sins, the cleansing of past wrong-doings; the rejuvenation of the earth, and the mind of Adela. It is indeed a beautiful allegory; a must read.Â
Films: So many films have used rains to heighten passion and anger. If I start to list out the scenes where the thunder is blasting away in the background, while the hero/heroine raves and rants, the list would be endless. One film, which I recall, that had the rains playing a mind-blowing role in the set up is Aitbaar. This Dimple-Raj Babbar murder mystery, plagiarized from Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder, uses the rains as a compelling device to heighten the suspense, ambience and feel.Â
Songs: Again, a list that can go on and on. However, here are my top 5 five favorite numbers: Rimjhim gire saawan (Manzil), Megha chhaye aadhi raat (Sharmilee), Jhooti mooti mitwa (Rudaali), Rim jhim rim jhim (1942-A Love Story) and Koi ladki hai jab wo hansti hai (Dil to Paagal Hai).Â
The funniest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Barsaat mein jab aayega saawan ka mahina (Maa)- can anyone make head or tail of this?Â
The sleaziest ‘rain’ song ever heard: Bheegi hun main barsaat mein (Karz Chukana Hai). It had lines that went itne chikne chikne ang yeh sunehre, paani ki boond padhe paani nahi thehre…quite slippery, indeed!
At last the clouds have gathered and rains are imminent. The last one week has been particularly bad. Power situation dipped to an all time low, pills
and all we heard through the black outs were news of one or the other power-station tripping and packing up.Â
I have become a certified couch potato; or rather a ‘bed’ potato since my television is in the bedroom. After missing of television for more than a year, I took to watching it with a vengeance. But most viewing is restricted to movies and songs channels, with an occasional foray into news ones. To my horror I discovered that all the money spent on collecting DVD’s last year was sheer wastage since those movies keep repeating themselves ad nauseum. For example, I can puke now if someone so much as mentions the thought of watching No Entry – a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed earlier. Other than Sahara telecasting it alternatively on its both channels (Filmy and Sahara One) every other week, my cable-wallah has also gone overboard there. In fact, my cable-guy has a strange habit of showing those very same films a couple of days earlier that would in any case be shown on Max or Filmy the same week!Â
I have an aversion towards all currently running serials. Nay, I absolutely abhor the entire Zee-Sony-Star Plus nexus, with the hatred targeted more towards the last one, whom I hold responsible for starting the trend of those horrifying saas-bahu serials. I can’t stand any program on Star Plus – every one of them, even that supposedly ‘different’ game show Jodi Kamaal Ki, seems to have similar look with bright gaudy colors and heavily dressed up ladies ready to burst into copious tears at any given instant. Even though I am not a football freak, but honestly I can kick anyone from Star’s programming department with a force that can get me a place in the next World Cup!Â
The only good thing that ever came out from the Star-stable was The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Contest.. I had missed the first season, but was able to watch a large bulk of the second one. Opinions may differ on whether Rauf Lala deserved the crown or not, but I personally feel that the entire toppers lot including Khayali, Rajeev, Pratap Faujdar, the Pakistani jodi and, my personal favorite, Dr Tushhar were mindblowingly excellent! Together, they made Friday evenings funny and entertaining.Â
After lambasting serials, I have to sheepishly confess that I started watching one with great interest. But then, Akela doesn’t seem to be your usual fare. There is heavy inspiration from M Night Shayamalan’s The Sixth Sense where the basic premise is concerned, but otherwise it seems to be on a different track.  The biggest relief? Any chances to slip into the saas-bahu syndrome were nipped in the bud with the mothers of both the hero and heroine dead in the first episode itself. Phew! I am keeping my fingers crossed that their ghosts will not start wearing outlandish bindis and scheming against each other to the tune of electronically generated swoosh-and-boom background score. Plus, the serial – like good ol’ days – will be aired once a week; that way, it’s easier to follow, and of course, it avoids overkill.Â
Sudhanshu (Band of Boys, Yakeen) Panday plays the protagonist. He may not be the greatest actor around, but his personality and physique suit the role. Plus, I have seen Yakeen and bits of Pehchaan: The Face of Truth, and I feel there is a raw honesty in his performances reminiscent of Jackie Shroff in his younger days.Â
Speaking of Jackie Shroff, what has he done to himself? Unlike his colleague Anil Kapoor, Jackie never exhibited the Machiavellian go-getter capacity. But at least he can take good care of his looks and locks! Since he never had the qualms to graduate to father roles, I am sure things wouldn’t be so hard up for him that he is forced to act in inane Z-grade flicks like Bhoot Unkle!Â
Well, the clouds have darkened further, and any moment the welcome pitter-patter of rains will be heard. My player has also propititiously moved to ‘Yeh mausam bheega bheega hai, hawa bhi kuchh zyada zyada hai’ from Dharti. And before we have another power cut, let me publish this.
Aajao ke sab milke rab se dua maange
Jeevan mein sukoon chaahen
Chaahat mein wafaa maangein
Haalaat badalne mein ab der na ho maalik
Jo dekh chuke phir andher na ho maalik
Ek tu hi bharosa
Ek tu hi sahaara
Is tere jahaan mein
Nahi koi hamaara
Hey Ishwar Ya Allah yeh pukaar sunle
Hey Ishwar Ya Allah hey daata
Humse na dekha jaaye
Barbaadiyon ka sama
Ujadi hui basti mein
Yeh tadap rahe insaan
Nanhe jismon ke tukde
Liye khadi ek maa
Baarood ke dhuen mein
Tu hi bol jaayen kahan
Ek tu hi bharosa
Ek tu hi sahaaraa…
Naadan hain hum to maalik
Kyun di humein yeh sazaa
Yahaan hai sabhi ke dil mein
Nafrat ka zahar bhara
Inhe phir se yaad dilade
Sabak wohi pyaar ke
Ban jaaye gulshan phir se
Kaanton bhari yeh duniya
Ek tu hi bharosa
Ek tu hi sahaaraa…
– Lyric: Majrooh Sultanpuri
– Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
My prayers and wishes with all Mumbaikars in their tough times.
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Two days something or the other has gone wrong with this page – hope today is fine. Day before yesterday I was at my sister’s place. From there I wrote a lengthy post. However some software installed in  my brother in law’s laptop clashed with wordpress and the post didn’t get published. I tried recreating the post in the night, viagra dosage but somehow the flow and narrative was just not happening, angina so I abandoned it.
Yesterday, I wrote a small piece. It got published. But I noticed a grammatical error and entered the site admin to correct it. In my hurry, and goodness knows what state of my mind, instead of pressing ‘save’ I clicked ‘delete’. That was the end of that post, which I think a few readers like Mehak did read.
And now I write this one. I am saving it, and will be back with some more chit chat very soon. So don’t go away from here.
The thought, clinic of sitting comfortably on a thick cushion blowing on an ornate hookah and sipping wine served in thick silver glasses while a lady in a bright zardozi-laced dress, ornamental jewelery and aalta-smeared feet dances to the melodious strains of sitar–ghoongroo– sarangi-and-tabla, is quite an interesting and nawabi one. Dont get me wrong. I have never visited a ‘kotha‘ ever, its just a sort of fantasy which stems out from seeing the myriad mujra songs in films. Bollywood films can go awfully wrong in depicting many things, and often stick rigidly to conventional stereotypes, so I could be incorrect in my vision – any reader who has visited one can inform the same, either on the site or a personal mail (secrecy guaranteed) 😛
Anyways, jokes apart, the mujra songs have their own life. They come in all sizes and shapes : from the classy Chalte chalte yunhi koi mil gaya tha (Pakeezah) to the crassy Kaahe saiyan teri meri baat bane naahi (Dayawan); from the lyrically charged Dil cheez kya hai (Umrao Jaan) to the lyrically debauched Mujrewali hoon mujra karti hoon (Awaargi); from a dulcet Lata’s Pyar kiya to darna kya (MeA) to a screechy Alka’s Tawaif kahan kisi se mohabbat karti hai (Amiri Garibi) – you will find a variety of them in films pre-current-millenium. Whatever the song be, the fallen woman was always elevated by strong musical muscles. Now, the place of a mujra has been taken by item numbers.
Broadly the mujras can be divided into two categories – one, where the heroine is a tawaif, or becomes one – here, Â expect some highly philosophical songs on love and life; two, where the tawaif is a mere side-prop to tittilate the villain (or a wronged hero) , most such songs will be more noise than substance – of course the two categories overlap, and exceptions exist in both.
So, here I list a few mujra numbers sung by Lata Mangeshkar – let’s see how many of them match with your own. In the list I have taken some songs that might not be exactly a hard-core mujra but has been picturised on a ‘kotha‘, hence here. In most, Lata’s pristine voice helped a great deal in establishing the purity and freshness of the lady-in-wrong-trade!
Salaam-e-ishq meri jaan zaraa kabool kar lo – Muqaddar Ka Sikandar – the mother of all mujras in terms of popularity and reach. Rekha and Amitabh scorches on-screen while Lata and Kishore ignite with their sparkling vocals. As I said, Lata’s voice gave a gilt-edged glitter to Rekha’s, giving life to her love and passion which transcended the dirty limits of her profession.Â
Chalte chalte yunhi koi mil gaya tha / Thaare rahiyo o baanke yaar / Inhi logon ne – Paakeezah – outstanding music in all, lovely songs, and the best movie on the life of a nautch girl. And thank God for ‘thaare rahiyo’ without which antakshri gets impossibly stuck if you get the letter ‘tha‘. The beats in ‘Chalte chalte’ are mesmerising while Lata’s voice is impeccably thoughtful and seductive at the same time, as required by the song’s mood!Â
Mujhe rab jo kahe tujhe chhod doon – Ustaad - One of the good old Anu Mallik numbers in which he accompanies the diva with his raspy voice. Picturised on Jaya Prada and Vinod Khanna. Very good interludes, an easy tune and fine singing make the song a winner.Â
Unko yeh shikaayat hai – Adalat – Madan Mohan and Lata Mangeshkar combine for this collossal score. Not exactly in the true mujra format. Nevertheless, a great song.Â
Kya kahen aaj kya ho gaya – Teri Paayal Mere Geet -Â A later stage Naushad-Lata combination in a flop Govinda-Meenakshi starrer. The film was boring, the songs werent. This, and ‘Mohabbat ka ek devtaa mila’ were excellent numbers.Â
Jab pyaar kiya toh darna kya – Mughal E Azam – A song that needs no introduction or description – its an all time any time hit!Â
Thoda resham lagta hai thoda sheesha lagta hai – Jyoti – The song that triggered the remix malaise in the country was a forgotten number till it appeared in some english rap song, and from thereon to Harry Anand’s remix factory. As ever, I prefer the original. Good music, nice tabla and Lata’s awesome voice! Â
Mujre ki hai yeh raat aakhri – Yudh – The sole Lata and old fashioned number in an otherwise techno-induced heave ho typical eighties score. Though Kalyanji Anandji were officially credited as music directors, I suspect Viju Shah’s handiwork in the score. However, this Lata mujra picturised on the ever-ethereal Hema Malini retained a old-worldly charm and was listenable.Â
Jind le gaya woh dil ka jaani – Aap Ke Saath – Again, not a typical mujra, but was picturised on the kotha itself with Smita Patil lamenting the loss of her love. Strangely, most T-series cassettes carry the Anuradha Paudwal scratch version. It is with great difficulty that I found the proper Lata Mangeshkar one.Â
Lo saahib mai bhool gayi yaad mujhe kuchh aaya tha – Maati Maange Khoon – a newly aquired number in my collection, it’s a superb number with the sound of ghungroos reverbarating menacingly within the sorrowful premise. RD Burman provides thumping music; the varying rhythm and beats add to the listening thrill !Â
Kab talak shama jali yaad nahi, shaam e gham kaise dhali yaad nahi – Painter Babu – Uttam-Jagdish’s debut film had this top song. The rest were pretty chaaloo kinds. A detailed note on the song is available on my older site. Read here.
Sanam tu bewafaa ke naam se mashhoor ho jaaye – Khilona – quite a typical L-P song from seventies, like it only for Lata Mangeshkar’s voice. Two more similar numbers follow the list immd. this one. Â
Humhin karen koi soorat unhe bulaane ki, suna hai unnko toh aadat hai bhool jaane ki - Ek Nazar –  another song which is similar in flavor as the above one. Same musical team of L-P-Lata. The film had one more mujra, Pahle sau baar idhar aur udhar dekha hai.Â
Sharaafat chhod di maine – Sharafat – A third similar number from L-P stable , once again with Lata’s lovely voice at the helm.Â
Atharah baras ki tu hone ko aayi /  Imtehaan hai aaj tera imtehaan hai – Of the two Suhaag numbers, I love the latter one. It gives a good lesson on non-drinking. Plus, as a kid I used to often hum the opening lines on any exam day 😛 so the number is intertwined with vivid childhood memories. And Rekha’s has perfected her courtesan act. (Aishwarya Rai will find it impossible to match it with her limited acting skills in the new version of Umrao Jaan).Â
Toone har raat mohabbat ki kasam khaai hai – Ganga Ki Saugandh – A double edged sword of a number that has sweetness on one edge and vitriolic filled sharpness on the other. Awesomely sung, as ever, by Lata Mangeshkar. (The theme song of this film, also by Lataji, Â was quite a big hit).Â
Kuhu kuhu bole koyaliya – Unreleased Devdas – I reckon the song would have been picturised on Chandramukhi, though i m not sure. A very nice song overall. Quintessential Gulzar lyric with Pancham’s melodious music.Â
Jise tu qabool karle woh sadaa kahan se laaoon – Devdas (old) – Obviously the song would be on Chandramukhi. The lyrics are so very apparant. But was this picturised as a mujra or just a love song? SD Burman’s music in this one.
Raat bhi hai kuchh bheegi bheegi – Mujhe Jeene Do – A very romantic number with just that right tinge of suggestive element beyond the innocence. Lata’s chham chham in the mukhda is more melodious than the sound of ghoongroos even. As I wrote once, I love Lata’s singing in a semi-ghabrahat, semi-hopeful way, and of course, her ‘haaye’ can never leave me unstirred.Â
Tadap yeh din raat ki kasak yeh bin baat ki – Amrapali - this love-deprived courtesan’s quivering call for romance is unarguably a sensuous and scintillatiing number – Lata’s voice is a mix between purity, pain and playfulness as she sighs ‘sajan ab to bata de, bata de’… Shankar Jaikishan whip up an emotional storm with their choral sitars.Â
Kaun anjaame ulfat nahi jaanta – Hera Pheri (old) – is this a mujra or not? Not sure now, but i enjoy the song.Â
Mai har raat jaagi … tumhari qasam tum bahut yaad aaye – Gaban – I could be way off the mark with this one – so members please help. Somehow the sitar-and-tabla based music makes it sound like a mujra, though I cant be sure. As a song it’s a topper! Music is by Shankar Jaikishan, and I marvel at the way repetition of lines in the antaras are built by them!
Chham chham chham badra barse, rut barse jiyara tarse – Barkha Bahaar – a still podgy and dusky Rekha dances to Lata’s mellifluous voice in this flop Navin Nischol starrer.Â
Mai tawaif hoon   /     Mere naina saawan bhaadon – Mehbooba – The latter song is part haunting, part mujra… part classical, part populist… this monumental RDB number was a chartbuster at that time. Personally, from this film, my evergreen fav is the love duet ‘Parbat ke peechhe chambe da gaaon’. There was a more on the face number ‘mai tawaif hoon mujra karoongi’ as well. The movie, on reincarnation, was far inferior to the same lead pair’s other classic on the same theme (Kudrat).
Ek dukhiyaari kahe baat yeh rote rote – Ram Teri Ganga Maili – the visual in the prelude, where champagne flows lustily into the pure Ganga, is a very cutting critique on post-modernist moral paucity – that was a superb directorial touch from master storyteller Raj Kapoor. The song itself is wrought with intricate images – the diamond soul wrapped in the soiled skin or the similarity betn a woman and the river … its a great theme song with an admirable picturisation.Â
These are the ones that I could recall when I first wrote the post for some other group. There were more additions done later on , eg Raina beeti jaaye from Amar Prem (not a mujra,per se but still picturised on a kotha, hence can be added here), Rahte the kabhi jinke dil mein ( Mamta ) and  O Aaanewaale ruk ja (Devdas).
Sister Asha Bhonsle also has many memorable mujras – from Umrao Jaan, Tawaif, to name a few hit films- but I am not too keen to go into those details. However, still I  will end this post with one unknown gem from her ouvre.
Kaise mukhde se nazrein uthaaye ke tujh mein hi rab dikhta – English Babu Desi Mem – It’s a bit hard to swallow that this shimmering number is created by Nikhil-Vinay. But as they are officially credited, I will go by it. The song has a faint qawaali tinge to it and the lyrics are nice. To top it all, there is an ethereal looking Sonali Bendre dancing to the beats in a flaming red dress – the overall effect is fantastic!
ohhh wah wah..itna lamba post !!!!
oye sirji, yeh kya ho gaya, lata didi nahi, latadi nahi, lataji nahi, seedha Lata, sharm aani chhahiye tumko, ek baar I reprimanded someone on the comments when he spoke about her with her first name. I am totally bugged at you.
PRI – Bilkul nahi – u know how much respect I hv for Lataji, and generally refer as ‘Lataji’ or ‘Latadi’ only … but the core post was written more in an impassionate article style, and hence had removed the personal addressings there …
MEHAK – Woh toh hai 🙂
Haven’t heard some of those songs. But nothing beats the Pakeezah and Umraon Jaan songs.
sirji, not an excuse enough. still bugged.
Deepak ,
A good listing ! Wish you had not restricted yourself to Lata songs only .
A major miss is the mujra from Sadhana : kaho jii tum kyaa-kyaa Kariidoge .
am yet to read the whole post..but songs frm pakeezah are real nice…
Great post!
All worthy mentions, Deepak, especially Pakeejah songs. Very beautiful music and equally good voice by Lata Ji.
Then I also love this Raat bhi hai kuchh bheegi bheegi from Mujhey Jeeney Do. But the other folk song – Nadi Narey Jao Sham Paiyaan Padoon is aboslutey fantabulous. Lata ji created magic in the song and so did beautiful Waheeda Rehmaan while enaction.
Two-Three other songs I remember and like which were also perhaps Mujra song –
1) Bahut Der Se Dar Pe Ankhein Lagin Theen, Huzoor Aatey Aatey Bahut Der Kerdi
2) Raat Bhar Rahiyo Aur Subah Chaley Jaiyo, Kahan Rain Bitai Gharwali Se Na Kahiyo.
3)Kajra Mohabbat Wala from Kismat wasn’t the Mujra song in the film, but it had all the qualities of a Mujra song.
Another song I remember from Mere Mehboob – Allha Bachai Naujawaon Se was also good.
As far as my personal liking is concerned I think Umrao Jaan songs stand tall over all other Mujra songs just because of lyrical and muscial excellency. I also think that Umrao Jaan was the best movie on the life of a nautch girl.
Muzaffar Ali and Rekha made it into a classic. Screenplay and dialogues were excellent, so was art direction . Not to mention supporting star cast which was great. It won both critcal and commercial acclaim.
Pakeeza drags because of bad direction by Kamaal Amrohi. Also Rajkumar was a hopeless actor, and Meena Kumari wasn’t in her elements either. Anyway, she was a bit too melancholy through out her career. In my opionion she was overrated too.
In fact, began as a flop. But the death of Meena Kumari turned it into a hit.
i don’t like most of the numbers here… though i don’t mind some of them like Unko yeh shikaayat hai and Rahte the kabhi jinke dil mein… my favs alwys remain umrao jaan nos…. just love them…. i think lata’s voice is better suited to romantic numbers…
Wow! How much effort you have put into this post. If someone is doing a research into this, he/she will certainly find this post valuable. Thanks for such a post.
OMG! this is a list of such cute songs! I mean, theres this naughtiness in the singers voice that one can feel.. and I enjoy some of these songs so much! I call them desi item numbers… but they r elegant too…. its not like ITEM NUMBERS… coz they still have that ‘beauty’ of wotever they r doing…. i mean.. like.. they r not cheap…. btw, this list of songs is gonna help me have sum gud music for some days now! 🙂
Bhagya – That always happens, some songs get lost in time 🙁 and majority wud not hear of them unless u make an effort to do so 🙂
Pri – Achha ab bahut bug ho gayin, enough! 😛
Amarendra – A warm warm welcome to the blog. Hope to see you as a regular. Thanks for liking the list. The only reason for restricting to Latadi’s songs is coz I m her devotee, and can only write forcefully on her numbers.
Sonali – Do return for a detailed reading. Will await your comments
Manish – And the best thing after writing a music based post , is to receive your insightful comments. Yep the ones you mentioned are mujras (though not exactly, ‘kajra muhabbat wala’ but still can pass for it) but since it was a Latadi-centric post , had to keep them out 🙂 BTW, since u mentioned a song that is not exactly a mujra, but has the qualities of one, a friend had asked, how about ‘Mai teri dushman dushman tu mera’ from Nagina?
About Umrao Jaan, I like the songs, but that’s about it, not very crazy about them. And actually wud give them a miss compared to some other songs 🙂
I liked Paakeezah for the reverberating ghungroos-and-Lataji’s voice throughout the film, and its slow flow!
Anks – Oh, u dont like proper mujras, that means 😉
Alka – Warm welcome to this site as well ( if i m not mistaken, ur first comment on this new space)… thanks for liking the post…it makes the effort worthwhile.
Girl – Yep they were ‘desi item numbers’ sans the vulgarity and grossness!
You are biased man 🙂 Give the devil(read Asha Bhosle) her due 🙂
bus Kabhi Kabhi yooN Hee ho jaata hai…….. 😉
I’m not gaayab yaar. Woh toh tum hote ho aaz kal :D.
hmmmmm Mujras…..Long post. Will read and comment later on. 🙂
Aur batao how are you doing? I mean How ka matlab samajh gaye :P… Still due to send reply of your mail…. See, I’m also becoming like you…..Catch you later. Take care. 😀
“You are biased man Give the devil(read Asha Bhosle) her due “……….Ditto!!:-)
Deepak, its irrelevent, whether I comment or not. But whenever I manage, I read your posts and especially stories. 🙂
OK Here I’m…
Finally read this looooooooong post 🙂
Very well researched and very well written. I must accept that you have put a great effort in this post. As this post is based on a completely different kind of songs.
Many songs that you have listed come in my list too and mainly they are from Pakeezah, Mughal-E-Azam, Muqaddar ka Siqandar, Mehbooba, Jyoti, Ram Teri Gang Maili Ho Gayi and others too.
And my personal opinion is also as same as Manish about the best film on nautch girl is Umrao Jaan. And other film I like about the nautch girl is Tisari Kasam. This is not the exactly film of nautch girl but still I like to mention it here. :).
I agree on your saying that Pakeezah’s songs are best but Umrao Jaan’s songs also comes on best but instead of saying them mujra I love to say them ghazals :).
You might not agree with me but whenever the talks come about mujra and dance numbers Asha is on the top (hey don’t glare me now :P). It’s the truth so I want to mentioned some of her best mujras that are not mentined here.
* Paan khayo saiyan hamaro – Tisari Kasam – It’s not song in kotha but still I like to put it in mujra.
* Tohfa kabool hai hume sarkar aap ka – Ghunghroo (there is other song from the same film… I could not recall it right now)
* Hey you know who has sung the song – “Main peetal kee payaliya pahenu jo paaon mein sone ke bhav geer jayeg……” I saw this film when I was kid :). I remember only this song that picturized on Sulakshana Pandit and if I’m not wrong it was on kothi. Film is Kasam khoon ki.. I’m not sure.
OMG, such a detailed work on mujra. Its seems you are a avid music lover. And have a huge music collection with detailed decription (song, artist, film etc) written over cassettes & CDs.
Hey you are wrong the items songs have not take the place of mujras but it took the place of cabaret. Mujras place still vacate :P.
It’s the talk about mujras so I want to mention here Nepali mujra too. Have you heard the songs that I gave?I’m talking about the songs of film Maitighar :).
There is a Nepali mujra song sung by Asha and that’s the best one. This is the first mujra in Nepali. Listen it carefully. You will find it best. It’s very panic and sad mujra I’ve ever heard.
“Ma pyaar bechi dinchhu bahaar bechi dinchhu, ko kinchh mere dil ko jankaar bechhi dinchhu…”
If you hear it carefully then you will understand the words, meaning and feelings of this song.. Really very heart touching one. The destiny of the heroin led her to the brothel in Bombay after death of her husband. She was pregnant then.
And hear the other song “Basant le nai basna khojchha yahaan lolaayer (madahosh ho kar)…..” This is the evergreen song. I think you must have heard the tune of this song here.
Hear these songs once again and let me know if you could not understand any of words or meaning.
And the song by Lata… what to say… you know better :).
Phew….. finally finished loooooooong comments for the long post 🙂
Manish and Vandy – He he he , not fully biased, I did end with an Ashaji’s mujra 😛 *halo over my head* But true, I prefer Lataji’s voice over any other!
Alka – Thank you ji 🙂
Paavani – Hi, and a very very warm welcome to Random Expressions. I hope the write-ups are good enough to entice you to return 🙂 Yes, I love music (in general), old hindi film songs (in particular) and Lataji (the most!). I try to remember the credits as and when I can.
Silky Moon – Now that was quite a nice bulk of comments. But since musical posts often get few comments, I enjoy reading the detailed ones 🙂
Teesri Kasam‘s music is amazing! You mentioned the more popular song. But there are two more glittering ‘nautanki’ gems (apart from those outstanding Mukesh solos):
‘Aa aa bhi jaa, raat dhalne lagi chaand chhupne chala’ (Lataji)
‘Haaye ghazab kahiin taara toota’ (Ashaji).
I dont recall Kasam Khoon Ki off hand now, nor does the song ring a bell.
Mujras in films are passe now. And I think both the mujra and cabaret have in a way combined to form the new ‘item song’. After all last year’s Kajra re was part mujra, part qawwali, part item, set in a bar!
Yes I hv heard them all from Maiti Ghar but will hear it again now 🙂 And LM’s song is also saved on the hard disk for easy listening 😀
Yes, musical posts do not get many comments because we all readers do not know much about songs, and films as you know. You really have good knowledge on those matters. But still I always try to give as many as comments on the basis of the little knowledge I have. Kaash main bhee chalti phirti encyclopedia ban paati tumhari tarah :P.
Tesari Kasam’s music, songs, and Film is classic. I really like them. I mentioned only that
song because that song ranked Ashaji on Top and she got award for that song. Hey did you
forgot other song… pinjare wali muniya… UP, Bihar type of song :).
Hey one more question – Aaj chhedo mohabbat ke shehanaiyan, dil ke tukade ho gay – Song of India by Lata di song? It sounds like mujra? Is this so?
O.K. hear those songs once again. I’m sure you will like them. And you know that Geeta Dutta, Mahendra Kapoor also sang in that film. And you know that the music is by Jaydev. Once I asked the name of Jaydev. Do you know?
And the song Lata di sang was on Motherland. I am sure you didn’t have any difficulties to understand that song :). I really like that song and you know the alap :).
And other song there is in CD by Ashaji – Gaihri khet ko shirai haanyo – (film) Prem Pind is also dance number not in Kothi buy in the Rana Palace – She (the heroine) was a nautch girl. And Ashaji (the song), music, and film won the award that year. And A song “Ke bhanu ma kaso gari pareN mohini ko maya jaalai ma..” sung by Abheejit in that film. That’s also nice number. The tune in very nice :D.
There are a few inaccuracies (Jisse tu kabool karle, tadap ye din raat ki, aren’t mujaras), but overall a very nice effort and an interesting read.
I have to confess that apart from the Mujhe Jeene Do and Pakeezah songs, I don’t like any of the songs on your list.:-) Might be because the list is skewed to latter-day, well-past-her-prime(IMO) Lata. While I don’t think Lata was ever particularly good at singing mujras, two early numbers by her rank among my favorites: “bazooband khuli khuli jaaye” from Baazoband and “ja main tose nahin boloon” from Sautela Bhai. Lata is superb in both semi-classical compositions.
However, for me the top spot among mujras would go to “saqiya aaj mujhe neend nahin aayegii” from Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam. Now that’s how a mujra should be sung!:-) Asha is simply flawless.
Hey man – really good post. Some of these are so hard to find – especially Maati Mangey Khoon – which I heard on Radio Sri Lanka, of course eclipsed by the unnecessary promotion of Ghulam Ali’s “Yeh Dil Yeh Paagal Dil Mera”.
BTW, where o where did you get the unreleased Devdas music by R.D. Burman? I want to get it! Did you also know that RD was supposed to score the music for Umrao Jaan but got replaced? (I’d read about it in the trade papers when it was launched)
BTW, if you notice “Pooch Rahen Hain” by Alka Yagnik in JP/Aishwarya’s Umrao Jaan, it’s a very well-done copy+paste composition that encapsulates earlier melodies (some ghazals, and mujras) – case in point, it has murkhis and taans from:
1. Sharm aati hai humey magar, aapse kehna hoga (Lata/RD/Padosan)
2. Sanam tu bewafa key naam say (Lata/LP/Khilona)
3. Main Tulsi tere aagan ki (Lata/LP/Main Tulsi)
4. Pyar tumhara bhool to jayen (Talat Aziz)
5. Mera dil bhi shauk say todo (Chitra Singh – interestingly, the thought/idiom/metaphors in the ghazal are copied as well)
Stay in touch – I think we have lots of music info to share!
[…] Last night, I got the chance of watching another film having songs that I have searched for eagerly – Raj Khosla’s eighties blunder Maati Maange Khoon. The film has four Latadidi solos – and each one is a nugget to be treasured. The best of the lot is Sang sang saari duniya le hum dono ka naam, ang lagake Shyam kardo Radha ko badnaam, followed by Lo saahib mai bhool gayii (a song mentioned in this post here). The film – a longwinding saga about poor kisaans v/s rich thakurs, with dacoit angle awkwardly juxtaposed on it) starred Shatrughan Sinha, Rekha, Reena Roy, Amjad Khan and Raj Babbar. In fact, Rekha has the most ‘musical’ role in the film – if she is on screen, she sings a song. I could catch only one small scene where she didnt break into a song. I think her dubbing portion would have got over in half a day itself. Nevertheless, I sat through the rut, to pick up Latadi’s mindblowing rendition of the songs. During the course of viewing the film, I was constantly texting my Mumbai friend the details, knowing that she would avidly enjoy it. Her reply was I sincerely appreciate your patience and tolerance for the sake of Lataji’s songs where such flop films are concerned. […]
Hey-
Thanks for all this detailed mujra research – just what I was looking for! Yes, the new Umrao Jaan mujras might not be as well done as the earlier ones, but they’re a great try. Anyway, thank you.
Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Kivein Mukhre Taun Nazran Hatawan, Ke Tere Vichon Rab Disda (Ji Karda Ae) can be heard on the album Kande Utte Mehrman Way Vol 40 – the Punjabi equivalents of the Hindi lyrics used in the ahem “Nikhil-Vinay” composition from English Babu Desi Mem, though I love them both. 🙂
Moh – Thanks for being here 🙂 Yeah, i also believe the new ones are a great try!
Deewani – Welcome here! And thanks for this brilliant piece of info. I wasnt aware of this! I shud hv guessed that there wud be a far off source somewhere for the wonderful song!
Hey everyone,
I really love the list of mujra songs by Lata ji.. One other mujra song i truly thing you should add to this list is Jalta Hai Badan from the movie Razia Sultan.The song just “oozes” of passion and love , lata’s voice is soo beautiful in this song. Anyways i think you should also make a list of mujra songs by other singers especially Asha ji. One new song from her is Jaam-E-Mohabbat from the movie Yatra, which has Rekha. As usual i thought Rekha did justice to that song. You guys should also listen to the songs from the Pakistani version of Umrao Jaan Ada. The mujra songs in that movie is really good. Also you guys should hear “Tha Yaqeen” from the movie, Suraiya Bhopali.. You guys can check it out on http://www.Youtube.com. Also can someone direct me to a site or some books that can cover the history of mujra….
Thanks
Can any body provide me following songs…
1-Aisa na ho ke in wadion mein Rafi AAKHIRI DAO.
2-Chori khole na.yeh maathe ka pasina Lata EK KUNWARI EK KUNWARA
3-Mein peetal ki payaliya.. Lata KASAM KHOON KI.
4-5-Kali ghata chhayee- 2 Parts Lata-1 Rafi-1 KALI GHATA
6 Koi fool na khilta . Rafi PAISE KI GUDIYA
7-Mein to karti na dalu kajarva.. Lata PAISE KI GUDIYA
I will be thankfull If I can have these songs. need desperately
send me on amit.siwach@gmail.com