Recent Movie Outings - What I feel

Writing the review of a movie is a difficult task, well, it is so at least for me. Imagine how hard it would be to deal with the reviews of two movies at one go! But that is exactly what I am trying to do here. If you do read it, please be a little merciful.

Went to two different movies at short intervals- Delhi Belly (DB) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD). Why am I writing a single review of the two? There is no specific reason. Anyway, here is my take on the two.

DB is a fast paced story about three friends who mistakenly deliver a stool sample to a mobster and send a stash of diamonds to the lab. I found it slick, crisp, and funny. The tight script, intelligent performances (a special mention of Vijay Raaj is necessary here), and comical-farcical elements make it quite an outing. Though there is nothing new, what impresses is the presentation.

It may seem a little crude - but when the tagline says 'S#!t Happens', what else do you expect! And I don't think that three around 28-30 guys living in an apartment would talk in any different way.

What I found a little hard to digest was the portrayal of women in this movie. DB has two female characters - the pretty, rich, moronic air-hostess and the revolting, daring, divorced journalist. May be the extremes were necessary for boosting the comical elements. It is with regard to this point that I come to ZNMD.

Here again, we meet two female characters - the beautiful, free-spirited diving instructor and the nagging, leech-like interior designer. The latter was once a smart, dynamic, attractive woman - but post engagement her priorities change, and so does her attitude. Well, this again is not a very nice portrayal.

On a positive note, the diving instructor's character is a much better one. It remains true to its views till the end, and inspires others too. Perhaps the juxtaposition of the two was an essential element in the film.

ZNMD reminds me of one of my favorite movies - Dil Chahta Hai. However, you cannot compare the two in any way. The only point of semblance is that it is also about three friends. Where DCH goes far ahead is the way it showcases the journey of the three from careless early years to mature later years. This is also about a journey - but not of such expanse.

If I say there is no such element of poignancy in ZNMD, I would be lying. Farhan's decision to call his 'real' dad and the scenes that follow are beautiful. The difference is - it is just a small detail in a big film (yup it is a 3 hours investment)!

I had fun watching both the movies (DB and ZNMD), but the reasons were not the same. The fun in DB borders on the comical-farcical level while that in ZNMD borders on the humorous-emotional level. I found both enjoyable.

If you find toilet humor to be rude, do not go for DB. And, if you only find serious cinema of any interest, do not go for any!

Something I got a good scolding for...

Had an adventure of sorts yesterday... well, it is better to narrate the incident and let others decide on whether it was an adventure or a misadventure!



Debu and I went to Mainland China yesterday for dinner with a close friend, whom I met quite after a long time. Food was superb, ambiance was great and company was the best. As it happens, we lost track of time... ok, ok, I lost track of time. When we finally decided to leave, it was around 10.30 pm.

Nothing was available, and the rains made matters worse. I got an auto to Tollygunje phari and thought I would get another from there. No such luck! Finally, I got a bus to Behala, which broke down a few stops away. It was almost 11.00 pm by then, and nothing was available. I was quite scared to death by then.

Suddenly, a man on a bike stopped and called out to me... he said 'apni eto raat'e ekhane dariye achen keno? apnar ki kono problem hoyeche? ami police'er lok' (Why are you standing at this unearthly hour? Are you in some sort of problem? Do you need help? Do not be afraid, I am a policeman). I was quite apprehensive when he offered to take me to Taratala.

Taratala was just a few seconds from the spot where I was stranded, and I took my chance. He kept assuring me that he was a policeman, and there was no reason to panic. I got safely to Taratala, from where I got an auto to home. Perhaps it was a risk, but it was the only option I had at that point.

I didn't thank him enough for what he did, I do not even know his name but he was the one who helped a stranded girl, and all on his own. I know it was a foolish decision, but it was an act of faith, and I am happy that my faith overcame my fear.

I just wish every police man was like him - sure would make Kolkata the safest city in the world!

Quite an assortment!

Disclaimer: This is my opinion and I hope people would not mind if I try my hand at a little humor. If I unknowingly hurt someone, I sure would be sorry.


When I first joined this organization, I wasn't quite prepared for what I saw - a huge difference in the male-female co-worker ratio! However, it didn't have any effect as all of us girls, four in number, sat together. The bliss didn't last long - soon, I was shifted to another room. What began as a nightmare turned out to be quite an experience with time. So, how are the people around me? Here is my perspective.

Let's begin with my immediate associates at office. Abhishek - very good at work-related problem solving... he was the nice and soft-spoken type, well, at least initially! Sabyasachi - the hardworking, quintessential conservative... he was caught in static mode while the rest of us fast-forwarded to the 21st century! Then there's Sandip - whenever you want any cricketing information, ask him... well, I sure hope somebody hears him out, someday (tip: you may be able to do this if you practice listening to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's speeches really hard)!

Mainak - the gentleman... sincere at work and nice by nature (alas, quite eligible but not a bachelor anymore)! Avishek - mischief personalized... really irritating at times, is quite the nice guy at others! Suman - and his superb score-keeping talents in the verbal fights amongst us is also quite an amazing addition to this menagerie! Pritha - well, don't know much about her... however, one thing I know for sure is it isn't easy to decipher people like her!

St. Sanat - belongs to the almost extinct species who love every other species over and above themselves! I bully him a lot, I admit that, and he is just too nice to say anything. Sumit - redefines the phrase smart-worker... he is so smart he gets away without working! Shilpo, the newest addition to people who send me excel sheets full of assignments (well, I sure wanted to say something else, anyway), fits the bill of pleasant and nice perfectly, well at least for now!

Now, it's a different scenario altogether - there are numerous girls here now! (I would not include Debasmita, Deblina or Moon di here - they were in my life long before I joined this place). First, the girls who have already left - Rita - sweet on the personal front, and superb on the professional. Ria - trendy and cool (you just have to tolerate her repeated refrains). Sharil - an oxymoron with bits of shy reserve and flicks of bold streak. Projna - famous, or infamous, for her Horrible stories about death, murder, suicide (well, you get the idea).

Next is a group that is the exact opposite of Gandhiji's three monkeys - unlike the original, they see everything, they hear everything, and they say everything! Nothing escapes these three apparently sweet but quite mischievous girls - Chris, Aditi and Debomita!

Well, this post is getting longer, but I simply cannot miss out a few others (they will kill me if I do). Susmit - his sparkling wit and amazing sense of humor are sure to dazzle you... I remember, he was the first guy who treated me here as a human being (others still regarded girls as an alien race back in those days)! Sandip - his songs can drive you crazy, and not in a good sort of a way either... however, he is one of the nice guys around!

There are many others whom I would have liked to include... maybe next time!