Review - Guru

I was never disappointed with Mani's movies till I watched Guru. It did not have the "punch" that I had expected.

The movie "inspired" by the rags-to-riches story of Dhirubhai Amabani has junior B playing protagonist Gurubhai who can't take "No" for an answer, Ash playing the role of Gurubhai's wife, Sujata. It has Mithun and Madhavan as the editor and journalist of "The Independent" who try to expose Gurubhai of his nexus with politicians and his illegal business practises. It ends with a court committee "hearing" where Gurubhai is convicted to only 2 out 21 allegations.

I fuckin virtually dragged myself through the movie. The music doen't have the Rehman signature, feels like it was composed half heartedly pciking tunes from old movies like Saathiya and Rand De Basanti. The acting was mediocre though there were some show stealing scenes by junior Bachan. Vidya Balan, a fine actor, wasted on a role that wasn't pivotal in any way in the movie. I wiould have rather watched her as Sujata. Every time I thought the movie was picking up the pace Mani threw in a song to slow it down. Script is weak (strange! as it is Mani Ratnam's movie). Sometimes you feel Mani was in total confusion and tried packing in as much as he could(and as many actors he could) in the three long hours. The worst is the climax when Gurubhai gibbers about India and it's economic failure, the market controlled by rich etc etc. Mani also manages to squeeze the funeral of Vidya Balan (what the fuck is her role in the movie????? total waste) just before the climax.

Such a movie from a director of movies like Kanathi Mutha Mithal, Bombay, Yuva and many more great movies is disappointing. But I sure will watch his next movie just hoping he will weave his magic the next time.

Project Panic

Mission Accomplished.

I had never seen mass hysteria or panic before. I witnessed it in the last couple of weeks here in denver. We had a blizzard a couple of weeks back which dropped 24-25 inches of snow. People hadn't prepared for so much snow. Many got stranded on their way back from work, ran out of groceries, got stuck for hours in the airpot etc. City was in a mess and a state of emergency was put in place. The following week there was an announcement that we would getting more snow. People panicked. All the stores ran out groceries. Liqour stores did real good business. I myself filled my refrigerator with enough food, vegetables and liqour that would last for two weeks. Denver recieved only 6-8 inches of snow that week.

Every week since then whenever there is an anouncement of some snow people panic and rumours start to spread about the amount of snow, the low temperatures and about offices being closed. All this is perfect example of mass hysteria and it's amazing that people don't easily recognize it. But all this has given us something to talk about other than the mundane work in the office meetings.

it's time to FLY...

..and fly high.
The "India Poised" campaign couldn't have come at a better time. It's inspiring, thought provoking and arouses a sense of patriotism that lacked in most Indians before.
We are at this junctre in history because
- A democrarcy with over a billion people and million religions it has done great with a 8% annual growth.
- We still have 1/3rd of our population living below the poverty line but it's receding fast.
- We have a literarcy rate of 61% and a huge labour population.
- We have the best electoral process in the world.
- Our governments (Congress/BJP/Left) have also done a greate job. No matter what gibberish they proposed when in opposition but when in power they sure strived for economic growth and liberal policies.
- .....

But everything isn't green as yet:
- Our corruption rate hasn't reduced much in years
- Our infrastructure is not growing at the same pace as our economy and population
- Our agriculture sector still depends on the seasons for it's yield and is niether economically nor environmentally sustainable.
- Our education sector is not robust enough to cater to the rising population and changing times
- We are stymied by infighting based on religion/caste/creed
- ....

Not that any of these are going to stop us from reaching where we are are headed. We will break all the shackles and emerge as a new India, INDIA REDEFINED.
Despite all the improvements in lifestyle, liberal thoughts and technological innovations India is different in many ways. We are rooted in our traditions. We are still family oriented and sacrificial. Our traditions will keep us grounded to earth and still let us dream to FLY high!!! And we WILL!!