The Top Seven - Movies 2009

The year 2010 saw 240 movie releases in bollywood, mostly in the latter half of the year. The year started with disappointments like Delhi 6 and multiplex strike. But ended on a high note with Aamir’s 3Idiots grossing 93cr in the very first weekend.
Here are top seven hindi movies as my personal favorites, released this year.

1. Kaminey
2. 3 Idiots
3. Paa
4. Rocket Singh : The Salesman of the year
5. 13B
6. Luck By Chance
7. All The Best

These movies are irrespective of the fact of their commercial success. These are few movies which I would like to watch again. They made me laugh, they made me cry, they made me think.
 
Which are your favorite friends?

Year 1999 to 2009: From Human to Machine

My weekdays are quite simple. It’s full of work, with professional and family issues, a tired day and 8hrs of sleep! And weekends are spent in watching movie, networking with friends, washing and cleaning etc. But still far far away from mental peace. I have been running after success all these years (thanks to social and parental pressure). And realized, success is yet very far, but in the process, I lost… Myself.

Music was something that had always helped me in connecting me with my soul. Singing used to be my passion, Sonu Nigam, Rafi, Kishore Da etc. used to be demi-gods. Used to love singing for hours and hours. I used to listen to different songs, write their lyrics, and practice those songs. Everyone used to love my voice and my singing. Even though I have never learnt music, it was something that came naturally to me.

Interestingly, I was never the music buff. But in class 7th, school compulsorily asked everyone to attend activity classes. There were typography, computers, dancing, painting, electronics classes etc. I chose music, because there used to be no music teacher in my school in those days. I thought, it would be good to attend music classes as they would be free periods. I would use that time to finish my homework.

But the very day, a music teacher joined, Ms. Pratima Kumar. Every student was shocked. As they always thought, that music classes would be free time. Prathima Ma’am called every student one by one to sing “Hey Sharde Maa”. We all used to sing this song daily in our assembly. After everyone was over, she called me and Sumit Rathore to the stage. We were bit terrified. She announced, they were the best singers, as they struck the near perfect chords. I never looked back. Prathima ma’am was my motivation, my first Guru. She helped me in improving my singing skills, with Dice Sir who was an expert in English music. Soon I was among the best singers in my school. Next, I wanted to learn classical, I wanted to be trained.

In early class 12th, I asked my dad, “I don’t want to study. I want to be a singer. I want to learn music. ” My dad replied, “Finish up your board exams, become an engineer. Once you are successful, do whatever you want to pursue your ambitions.” His point of view was logical. But soon I realised that there is no connection between Passion and Logic.

So here I am today. I am an engineer, MBA, marketer, and yet “Nothing”. First engineering, then interviews, then MBA preparation, MBA, and now job. After 10 years of hardships, I realized, I couldn’t sing. I need to start afresh to polish my skills. I have lost the gift of God.

Programs like Indian Idol, Saregamapa, and Amul Voice of India, bring tears to my eyes, when I saw someone else fulfilling my dreams. Thanks to loved ones around me, as they keep motivating me to continue singing. And I even want to!

But thanks to the last decade, as I am more a machine now than a human. Emotions, aspirations and talent, all are lost in the process to be a machine, like everyone.

Why Do We Disrespect Women ???

I was waiting for the day to get over, and was planning to pack my bags to home. Three twitter updates spoiled my mood completely for the day. It was on an issue, on which I have always spoken of. It’s about disrespecting women.

Read these three news items:-

“In a strange ritual 2,000 women, who were believed to be 'possessed' by evil spirits, were given severe, blood-oozing lashing in public to 'free them from these bad elements' in a village in Tamil Nadu. The whipping ritual included girls as young as 10-years-old.This strange ritual continued for five hours at the annual festival of the ancient Sri Achappan Temple on the Vijaydashmi day.
One girl was whipped for not showing interest in studies. The parents believed that the lack of interest was because there was an evil spirit residing in her. One girl received lashings for not attaining puberty on time and another for her irregular menstrual periods !!!”

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/new/NDTV-Show-Special.aspx?ID=365

“A 23-year-old hotel management student has claimed that she was abducted, gang-raped and filmed the act by four men after taking her to three states in about a month !!!”

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?issueid=97&id=64304&option=com_content&task=view§ionid=4

“Frances Gomes, a father was convinced that if his daughters left his flat, they would be raped or "corrupted". So he kept his daughters, 27-year-old Barbara and 21-year-old Elizabeth, locked up with their mother for 7 years in Mumbai !!!”

http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/locked_tortured_by_father_for_7_years.php

No justification (whether be it tradition, mentality, illiteracy etc.), can approve any form of disrespect to women. Can someone give one good reason, why such instances happen, in every form of society, be it rural, or urban.
As my title goes, Why do we disrespect women ???, I am still searching for an answer.

Here I am sitting in my office @ night…

Here I am sitting in my office @ night…
Thinking hard about life
How it changed from a maverick college life to strict professional life…...

 How tiny pocket money changed to huge monthly paychecks
But then why it gives less happiness….
How a few local denim jeans changed to new branded wardrobe
But then why there are less people to use them
How a single plate of samosa changed to a full Pizza or burger
But then why there is less hunger…..

Here I am sitting in my office @ night…
Thinking hard about life
How it changed…..

How a bike always in reserve changed to bike always on
But then why there are fewer places to go on……
How a small coffee shop changed to cafe coffee day
But then why its feels like shop is far away…..
How a limited prepaid card changed to postpaid package
But then why there are fewer calls; more messages……

Here I am sitting in my office @ night…
Thinking hard about life
How it changed…..

How a general class journey changed to Flight

Credits : Mr.Pravesh Mathur

Convocation @ Alliance...

Last week we had a memorable convocation ceremony .Governor of Karnataka, Mr. H R Bhardwaj, Minister of Higher Education for the State of Karnataka and Mr. Ganesh Aiyyar, MD, Caterpillar witnessed our convocation. It was memorable for many reasons.

Now we all were Post-graduates. Two years of PGPM in Alliance Business School were finally over. Convocation was an official ceremony to announce that now we all were MBAs. Also, presence of such high profile Chief Guests and getting certificates through them, made the ceremony glittering. Moreover for the first time, we got the chance to wear robes and hoods for the ceremony.

But, I guess more importantly, for all of us, it was an opportunity to re-unite and remember our golden days of post-grads. We all had so much too share. Our lives after college, our short stints in corporate culture, our economic independence, our experiences and what not! Too much to share in just a day!

We all were feeling nostalgic on visiting our campus, and meeting our dearest friends. Felt like revisiting those memories again, spent with friends in college. I was missing those never ending lunches and dinners at the food-court, our one-night stand exam preparations and those butterflies in stomach before interviews. I was missing the unconditional support of my friends, the laughs and tears we shared. I was missing those times when we fought with each other, times when we were united against the administration on some or other issues. Was missing those projects we did together, those competitive rivalries, and the festivals we celebrated together.

Moment I was back home after the event, I realized, that all those good days are now over. I wish I could have brought them back. Few came to be a part of convocation; few weren’t able to make it. Yes we were able to meet few our old friends, but frankly, we still weren’t able to spend quality time. Thus I am waiting for many more reasons to meet my old good friends.

Millionaire Homes, Luxury Living Redefined

After its immense success in Bangalore and Chennai, Millionaire Homes is now in Hyderabad on 19th and 20th of September, at Novotel. For those who all still unaware with Millionaire Homes event –

Millionaire Homes – the Luxury Living & Lifestyle Show is an exciting new concept in consumer driven business shows: The event is designed as a platform for connoisseurs of lifestyle and fine living to experience some of the finest concepts in luxury living. The event will showcase a host of realty and fine living options from some of the leading home builders across the country. The show also introduces guests to the finest high-end products and services for homes.

Millionaire Homes is very unique in its positioning. When everyone will find a Home Mela where all the builders come and showcase their properties, Millionaire Homes maintains its niche. Properties showcased in Millionaire Homes are luxury properties worth crore and above. Never ever a show has been show hosted in India of this nature.

To be successful, such niche events need unique and experiential marketing. Every other Home Mela depends on ATL advertising through newspaper ads, radio and hoardings to catch the attention of the masses. Millionaire Homes is marketed completely through BTL (Direct Marketing). Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), who have conceived and produced this event, have a huge commercial database of companies and HNI’s tagged on various parameters. In-house call center of D&B call these HNI’s to understand whether they are interested in buying such properties now or not? Accordingly, all interested HNI’s are exclusively invited for the event. Thus D&B has been able to bring in 1500 – 2000 HNI’s per event, interested in such luxury properties.

Moreover, to create the right ambience for these HNI’s, D&B also hosts various sub-events in evening like art-auction, musical concert, wine tasting session and fashion-show. These sub-events acts as incentives for these ultra HNI’s to attend the event and evaluate these luxury properties. If you are visiting Millionaire Homes, also watch out for exclusively designed booths created for each of the exhibitors.

With this initiative, D&B creates an interactive platform for leading luxury and premium brands to engage with customers in an exclusive environment. With a growing number of Indian's joining the ranks of the wealthy with the propensity and ability to spend on fine living, Millionaire Homes presents an excellent opportunity for luxury brands to be associated with this event and engage these customers.

“Khatron Ke Khiladi” – Level 2

Akshay Kumar and Colors Channel are back with the next season of their highly successful show, “Khatron Ke Khiladi” – Level 2. Frankly, I was never so interested in such reality shows. A similar show called, “Is Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao” had just recently ended on Sony. I always thought “Khatron Ke Khiladi” would be on the similar lines to “Is Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao”, “Roadies” and “Stuntmania”. Moreover, neither the celebrities participating in the show were appealing enough to watch the show.
These shows, being featured on the major channels at prime time, leaves you without much option. And thus one can’t avoid having a glimpse of these reality shows. Even I had too. Interestingly, I was surprised and entertained. The stunts in “Khatron Ke Khiladi” were fearful, gutsy, exciting and innovative.

Full marks to Colors and the team of “Khatron Ke Khiladi”, for raising the standards of the show through such nail biting stunts. I would recommend you all to watch “Khatron Ke Khiladi”. It’s surely a level above to all other reality shows.

IPL – An Inside Story: Cricket and Commerce

I recently finished reading this book penned by Alam Srinivas and T R Vivek. This book gives you a complete insight into the cricketing saga called Indian Premier League. How the idea IPL originated, the politics behind it, and how it became a success have been interestingly plotted in this book. It shows that with the mix of few intelligent decisions and luck, how Lalit Modi pulled of this event with unmatchable success. This book also beautifully covers the after effects of IPL on the Indian cricket. It also covers the stories of turnaround in the lives of Lalit Modi, Shane Warne and many small town Indian players who got a chance to prove themselves in this IPL. It describes each event associated with IPL in complete detail, from bidding process to the controversies around it. Sometimes the author deviates from the core issues, but then, if you are a cricket fan, you will enjoy it. The book could have been better if it would have been updated with the second season of IPL also.


My Ratings: 6/10

Sonu Nigam is back…!!!

Oops…when was Sonu Nigam gone??? Yes he was there in the industry, but I guess even he was thirsting for a hit song.

Sonu is back with “Don’t say Alvida” in “Main aur Mrs. Khanna” featuring Salman Khan. It’s a hummable melody with trademark Sonu’s style of romantic singing. Moreover, he is been given chance to sing ”Chiggy Wiggy” with Kylie Minogue by A.R. Rehman for the movie “Blue” featuring Akshay Kumar. Again it’s a fun loving song, sung in patented Sonu’s Punjabi style. Both are hit with audiences.

Today’s music industry, when bundle of new voices are discovered every day, one needs to be consistent. Since he became selective in choosing songs, we got a rare opportunity to hear him. Yes he came out with few albums (Classically Mild, An Evening in London) but they were also quite niche in genre. I guess, he was exploring his singing skills by trying different genres and languages. Hardened fans of Sonu Nigam’s singing (include me in this list), were desperate to listen Sonu Nigam in contemporary form of film music. Music directors like Vishal Shekhar, Pritam and others have been very generous in giving songs to every other singer except Sonu Nigam. His loyalist music directors like Anu Malik and Sajid Wajid were also losing their sheen. Shankar Ehsaan Loy and A R Rehman use Sonu Nigam only when they realize that no one but Sonu can give justice to a song.

Nevertheless, he back with flurry of songs and I hope he continues to sing more. His singing inspires many amateur singers like me. Keep singing…Sonu Nigam.

BJP's "Chintan Baithak"

I was completely shocked when I was told that BJP expelled Mr. Jaswant Singh. Unfortunately, there was only Jaswant Singh(among few) in BJP whom I respected as an intellectual. He was the only man or I should say the Man-Mohan of BJP. He was intelligent, highly qualified and above all, apolitical like many other BJP leaders. If not secular, at least he seemed secular to the general public.

Moreover BJP's "Chintan Baithak" came out with reasons of loss in 2009 general elections. All the reasons were pointing only two things.
Firstly, poor strategy and secondly poor marketing of ideas.
As per me,BJP used all media tools effectively to convey their ideology. But the problem was never in the promotion.
The main reasons for BJP's loss are the other two P's.
Product: The ideology of being stubborn, the ideology of spreading hatred, the ideology of introspecting the past and not planning for the future, the ideology of non-secularism, when mixed together, forms BJP i.e. a poor product. Such a poor product can only be sold to your customers(electorate) once. Soon the customers realize that they have been cheated.
Price: If we would have brought BJP back to power, then the price we had to pay for it would have been huge.BJP's ideology disturbs the social coherence of India. I have always believed that BJP is an Allopathic medicine. They may solve India's problems; but would also give various side-effects(for e.g. hindutva,moral policing etc.) that would hurt our country later.

My dad, who was once BJP loyalist, amusingly used to say, BJP means " Bhaago Janta Peetegi"...

KAMINEY... !!!

This was the movie; I was desperately waiting for .Reason, interesting trailers and Visual Bharadwaj. He has given movies like Makdi, Maqbool, Omkara and The Blue Umbrella. All have been meaningful, interesting and entertaining.
I always wanted to watch premiere of the movie. Thankfully to CREDAI Karnataka Realty Expo, I wasn't able to watch the movie, whole weekend. Reviews were out, everyone had loved it. Now I have to see it.
Monday after the job, I ensured not to miss the movie. And guess what, it was memorable experience. As rightfully Rajeev Masand says,'Kaminey is imaginative and original’. It made me remembered movie of 70s era, which had everything, fun action thrill drama and romance.
Kaminey was nice blend of all. I had completely forgotten that there was Shahid Kapoor in the movie. I flowed with the story through Guddu, Sweety and Charlie.
I was mesmerized with Shahid's acting and the supporting casts. As per me the movie is "Fuberb". Movie is embraced with catchy and classy music blended with Gulzar Sahab's unmatchable lyrics.
Loved the line... "Ek dil se dosti thi... Ye huzur bhi kaminey...!!!"

My next target... "What's your Rashee" by Ashutosh Gowarikar.

SWAMI...

Yesterday, I saw the movie “Swami” again on television. I loved the movie when saw it for the first time and even this time too. I decided to blog about this movie because many people would not talk about this movie.

“Swami” is a simple movie on a life story of titled fictional character. Movie casts Manoj Bajpai and my all time favorite heroine, Juhi Chawla. The story is about their unconditional love towards each other and later towards their children. It’s a complete family movie that will make you cry in some of its scenes.

The movie was a flop and I guess wouldn’t have even heard its name. Technically and critically speaking, this movie is below average. But its heart lies at the right place. Moreover, it teaches you the essence the relationships. The relation of Swami with his arm-chair shows you the love for his wife ”Radha”. Swami has only one dream, to fulfill the dreams of his wife through his children. Swami depicts a very good husband, father, and above all great man. His relation with his son is shown astoundingly emotional in the movie.

Moreover, this movie also shows a life of a common Indian middle class family. This movie beautifully depicts small but important moments of one’s life. One feels connected to the movie, and can easily relate to his/her life.

You will never understand all this nor will I be able to explain, until you watch this movie. Be patient, forgive the editing and try to appreciate the soul of the movie.

Team Manmohan !!!

I missed the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Manmohan Singh through my blog on 24th April. On 24th I was elated when I got the news that Congress is back. Or I should say, back with bang. I was so afraid, on 24th morning. I never wanted to BJP to be back, atleast until they drop their idea of hindutva.

Moreover, I am more or less happy with the list of ministers in Manmohan’s team. I personally wanted people like Shashi Tharoor and other young guns in some form of ministries. Inclusion of people like Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jatin Prasad, Agatha Sangma etc. as MoS was a great decision. People like Pranab Mukherjee, P. Chidambaram, Kamalnath, Kapil Sibbal, Dayanidhi Maran, Praful Patel and others all getting key ministries to bring results rather than promises. Yes they had to compromise bit due to politics, but Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and adamant Manmohan hand-picked most of them.

I guess for the first time ever on Indian news channels, we found so much discussion on list of ministers and portfolios. As if Team Manmohan is on a mission to change India. Team Manmohan gives me hope, a hope for progress, hope for social security, hope for secularism. I trust Team Manmohan, because most of the ministers are extremely qualified with education and experience. Moreover we can see a nice blend of youth and experience in the team.

HORN OK PLEASE…!!!

Firstly, a good news. I bought a bike, “Bajaj Platina”. It was badly needed as I have to daily travel to the office. Travelling in buses was horrible and “autowallas” of Bangalore were too demanding. So I had to waste more time in travelling, which could also have been spent doing something constructive.
Bike gives you a sense of freedom and a driving pleasure. I can now go anywhere in city, anytime. I am so happy, not only because, I own a bike, but also, I have to no more be dependent on Bangalore’s autowallas.

Bangalore traffic made me realize the importance of horns in your vehicle. Not only it is necessary to alert the vehicles around you, but it’s also a mode for expression. During long traffic queues, I have seen people honking to show their anger towards vehicle ahead them. Their horns yell asking people to make roads for them. Horns are also a great mode of stress buster. Angrier you are with the traffic, harder you press the horn. Horns are also used to irritate people. I myself have tried to horn out autowallas ahead of me, just to irritate them. It’s my form of revenge against all the problems they have given to me during my two year stay at Bangalore. Horns are also mode for fun. I have heard weirdest of horns,from a baby’s cry to police’s siren. But actually I believe horns should always be weird. I guess, only then you are heard among all the similar sounds in traffic.

So next time, when you listen to a harsh horn around you, just for one second, try to think the real reason behind it.

I am back…

Hi all welcome back to Be A Step Ahead…

It’s been long since I have stopped writing.
Reasons? Infact many…

Early April, I joined Dun & Bradstreet, and it was a start to a working professional life after two years of life as management student.
Moreover, things leading to that were, shifting to a new house, a new life and many adjustments in terms of facilities. The new house had independence, a sense of belongingness but lacked facilities like internet, television, library etc., all needed to keep you updated and blog about that. We had to start from scratch.
During this phase, many ideas came in, many views, many reactions, but there was no medium to express it to the world. Moreover, I was fed with comments on my blog, which I couldn't answer due to this problems.

So, here’s I am back. Back to the world of blogging, back to the social media, back to something constructive and above all, back to the freedom of expression.