My MUBI Retrospective @2025
Run on a Sunday
I have now made this a habit, a way of life.
No, not for any athletic recognition (I am far from it) or to indulge in competitive mayhem. I just want to make sure I am fit enough to get up at 3 am, reach the destination at 4 am, sprint around for 10 kms, come back alive, feel famished and grab that sumptuous breakfast waiting for you once you have done the honours and collected the medals. Well, that’s accomplishment in itself and Sunday morning done right, just about.
Cheers!
Unblemished
I am totally in love with those days. Amidst all the ruins and chaos, miscellaneous interventions notwithstanding, these stunning views could bring a smile on my face. It still does 😊.
Maa is here..
As we welcome the festive season, Durga Maa brings in the flavour of optimism and goodness with her. She is a blessing to my sore eyes, a ray of hope in all the insanity that surrounds us.
Your presence elevates me to believe that good things will happen, eventually.
🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
The Respite
It was hot, and the sweltering heat was taking its toll. When I picked up my son from school, the heat peaked right there and the dashboard on my car flashed 40 degrees – that’s when all that heat made sense – in a bad, sweaty way, though.
Then, this happened. Waters came crashing down, and we desperately wanted the skies to pour their heart out. We got wet, happily allowing the waters to drench our clothing, and our minds as well.
I guess we need more of this, much more periodically and consistently to slay the wave of heat this summer.
Binge Watch – Candid Reviews
I watched some interesting shows and movies in the last 3 months, some of them were special compared to a few.
Here is the account of it in a more summarised fashion – though couple them deserve a dedicated piece on it.
Not in any particular order but the ones preceding the others obviously made an impact.
Adolescence (Netflix)
Inarguably, one of the finest content coming out of the OTT platform in the recent times. Stunning, staggering and faithfully scary, it offers an unprecedented view in to parenting (or the lack of it, really). It is so relevant in our times – our kids are so consumed by technology and its siblings, so much so that all the nonsense exposure which could easily be parked for another 5-6 years and how famished we are in terms of people connect. This is way more important than everything else – our children. It could be deemed as more of a psychological evaluation and studying the mindset of children and parents but the way some scenes tried to extract the information, source and the outcome of those inhibitions were just unbelievable. The third season where the protagonist is questioned, drilled, conversed and intimated by the psycho analyst lady – is something that I have never seen in the recent past. So very provocative, yet remains disdainfully honest and true to the context. Bravo, and I want more.
Crimes of the Future (MUBI)
It’s a film that won’t be easy to watch. Typical of Cronenberg’s earlier works, his fascination with weird sexual experimentations through human prognosis and unusually sensual desires continues. This one is more apocalyptic, where it talks about organs transforming human evolution. The statement – ‘surgery is the new sex’ will stay with me for a long time to come. Provocative meets the impossible. A must watch, but only for the selected few.
On The Road (MUBI)
More of a disjointed classic, if I may say so. Made 13 years ago, still feels relevant to our times. Our fascination with relationships, the conflict between desires versus passion, the fragile line fades away quickly in the lap of reality. Initially what starts off as enthusiasm, talent and the ability to understand the pursuits of life, eventually leads to a myriad road trip to reinvent the inner self, find purpose and decimate illusion. The characters plunge themselves in to madness, adventure, booze, fag and sex (or the lack of it) and leads to closure when each of them pave their own way.
MOBLAND (HBO)
Quintessentially, Guy Ritchie! Lot of guns, lots of coke, jerks patrolling the streets of London like never before and a legacy of uninhibited crimes. it’s organised crime at its best, reeling under the shadows of rivalry, deception, betrayal and relationships. I like Guy’s films as they are shot stylishly, with a penchant for characters who love gore and blood. There is an element of class in his brand of cinema – loaded with British humour, the characters are woven to displease, displace and stay distinguished. Nothing out of the box here and the story is essentially old won’t in a new bottle, but like I said, it’s Guy Ritchie and he delivers what he does best.
Gladiator II (Prime)
I recently watched the original, classic version. Trust me, it still gives you the goosebumps. ‘Maximus’ is a legend and Ridley Scott needed a lot of muscle to create the sequel, not surprised that he waited for more than 3 decades to come out with his redesigned version. And, he doesn’t disappoint though it is nowhere near his original creation. I watched it for Denzel Washington, another legend who has this ability to deliver nuanced performances in his roles. But this one might be his weakest in recent times. I have nothing against the characters etched by Scott – the Gladiator son, the premise, the son’s mom and the roman emperors. But somewhere, it lacks the ambience of an epic. It roars in patches, the fight sequences are attractive but not legendary. Pedro Pascal has been wasted, not sure why he picked this one. In fact, Denzel’s character was to behold all the glory but unfortunately, his role is marred by a weak narrative that fails to capture the true essence of vengeance, which is the only purpose in this film. Watchable, but missable at the same time.
Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
An espionage thriller, and one of its kind. A British series, it stays true to its DNA – sarcasm, extrapolating lies from the womb of truth, disturbed and delirious individuals, talented yet twisted to script their own downfall. This is one series I have always looked forward to with admiration and with a stellar cast that consists of Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas, what more can you ask for. The name ‘Slow Horses’ is quite deceiving and underwhelming, but what’s inside is truly a revelation. And it’s not all guns and bad guys either. If you want glamour, then meet Rosalind Eleazar. She adds that spice to this raunchy, tasteful thriller. The next one is coming soon, so can’t wait.
South Africa and Test Cricket Triumph
After ages, it was heartening to see SA lift an ICC trophy and winning the WTC 2025 was just the icing on the cake. More significantly, it was Test cricket at its ultimate glory.
Ever since SA’s return to international cricket in 1992, I have been a big admirer of their brand of cricket and the talent they have produced in the last 50 years. We have seen some absolute legends like Allan Donald and Jacques Kallis, maverick players like Hanse Cronje and Jonty Rhodes and modern greats like AB DeVillers. But they have been underdogs for a very long time now, even underrated more often than I remember. Despite abundance of talent, superlative performances and some initiate encounters, the winner’s pedestal has eluded them for more than a generation now. Well, now, that’s history as Bavuma’s men overpower the indomitable Aussies to clinch the WTC in style.
The more I talk about Markram and team, and I realise that what a player he is and what an innings it was! It was an innings of absolute grit and class, and no better place to achieve this great milestone in his career – At the Lords, in the WTC finals! Can’t ask for more. He was always talented but to be honest, I was always sceptical about his capabilities when it came to Test Cricket as I was scared that another spectacular talent would be lost in the glamour of T20 Cricket. I am glad, he has proved me wrong.
We need such strong, inspiring performances in Test Cricket – not just for the glory but for the love of the game.
Markram, Bavuma and South Africa – Thank you and well played.
Way Forward
So that’s where I am.
I am focussing on the journey at the moment, not very concerned about the destination.
A more contextual analysis of the existing situation is on the cards. I have never been on this ship before, but I take that as a challenge to positively inspire me.
The journey so far has been nothing short of a spectacular, curvy ride. Expect nothing less in the forthcoming weeks.
Sailing through, expecting troubled waters to flow under the bridge.
Way Forward
So that’s where I am.
I am focussing on the journey at the moment, not very concerned about the destination.
A more contextual analysis of the existing situation is on the cards. I have never been on this ship before, but I take that as a challenge to positively inspire me.
The journey so far has been nothing short of a spectacular, curvy ride. Expect nothing less in the forthcoming weeks.
Sailing through, expecting troubled waters to flow under the bridge.
Shocking!
I have been quite disturbed since the terror attack in Pahalgam yesterday.
In July 2023, I was in Pahalgam with my family and parents (our first outing together in India after my return from UK). Had fate intervened then (which I now believe was quite possible), the script could have been totally different. The very thought of such a tragedy befalling on us or someone else is an unimaginable nightmare, so I can relate to the ordeal the survivors are experiencing as they have lost their loved ones in an act of brutality and inhumanness.
Looking at the media coverage, the videos and the photos of that place, took me 2 years back when we came back with fond memories of the very place that is now scattered with blood and dead bodies. Trust me, it doesn’t give me a good feeling and has been very upsetting to hear about the chaos, horror and death that engulfs Kashmir, as we speak.
We know what will happen next. Retaliation, widespread and desperate hunt for the terrorists and vows by the government to avenge these cold blooded killings. But will justice be served? Can we redeem the lives lost? Will the survivors ever forget what they witnessed in Pahalgam?
This whole situation is the result of shameful travesty inflicted by the Government to restore peace in J&K. Is this peace?
The survivors who have lost their own will have to endure the pain and live with these questions for the rest of their lives.
My prayers are with the families 🙏🏻😢.
The Perfect Shot
It almost looks like a painters’s canvas, describing the ethos of darkness in a stunning combination of vividness and silence.
Shot @ Edinburgh, Scotland, 2022.
Cinematic Gems ~ Lifeoholic Diaries ~ 3.3.25
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###The Girl with the Needle###
an msk REVIEW.
A film that so audaciously depicts disaster in a parallel tone of positivity and evil – will leave you stunned, shunned and in awe. The way characters make a living out of misery, contempt, disguise and failure is a testament to the director’s vision that has so aptly and brutally captured the darkness in human nature amidst war, death and destruction. A very beautiful, painfully crafted piece of work. An absolute must watch!
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Sunshine Days
This is so quintessentially me 😊.
One of those things in life that I love to do – Photography and Travel. I think it keeps me grounded, capturing glimpses of the world around, experiencing different cultures and meet interesting people. And of course, all that good food which comes with the package.
It is a journey of insatiable bliss, and I might not be able to describe the true essence of this feeling in words.
Perhaps, the best way is to let my photographs do the talking. In a way, it defines my passion and curiosity.
Survival
Sometimes, you just have to go through the motions to stay afloat. Stay hopeful despite odds, despite not feeling very well, with all the noise inside, you just have to remain quiet for a while.
The last couple of weeks were tough but I was surrounded by positivity and good vibes, people who genuinely cared for me and prayed for my well being. People who wanted me back as my usual self, the usual me with all the flawed elements that makes the few wonderful people around me pray for my good health and smiles.
Thank you is a small word but thank you is the only way to redeem myself of the burden imposed by those magical, impeccable individuals who surround my life with hope and dreams.
So let’s leave it there, for now.
2024 – The Year That Was
~Love~Hopes~Dreams~Resilience~
To better days. To sunshine. Cheers ❤️💐🎇🙏
~A Year in Pictures~
Friday Vibes
A distinctive photograph!
Sometimes, such a perfect shot explains sanity over insanity. The essence of it is quite subjective, so I would rather leave it to you to derive a meaning out of it.
I am sure, whatever comes out of it will define your perspective.
The Flying Point
The landscape of airports in the country has transformed spectacularly in the last 10 years or so. Chennai Airport is no exception to this transition period.
Airports are not merely to board and land these days, they have become much more than just a place from flights take off from one destination to another. Airports have become a hub to connect, lounge your way to luxury and spend quality time before boarding an aircraft.
Meetings while travelling, need to speak to someone special while you are in transit, missed your breakfast or lunch – no problem at all! Airports have conveniently become our reliable in-transit partners, providing your needs at ultra available mode, Yes, all this comes for a price but then that’s how life works. But, in my experience, these are some brownie points to consider when you are travelling with your family and loved ones. After all, doesn’t matter if it’s work or pleasure, comfort and convenience is something that you look forward to.
For travellers flying high and far, it is truly ‘Bon Voyage’!
Liverpool Story – Throwback
Liverpool was my first brush with UK, way back in 2014. And in a lot of ways, remains very close to my heart.
We got down at Manchester Airport and then took a train to Liverpool Lime Street station. Organically positioned between the City Centre and Merseyside, it exudes charm and a certain amount of sanity. Especially for someone stepping on to British soil for the first time, it was gorgeously encouraging.
A year long stay was laced with business at work and some cherished moments to nearby places (in and around Liverpool). Anfield (Home to Liverpool Football Club) were our neighbours and we could hear the roar from our bedroom balcony when a goal was scored. Everton Football Club was 10 minutes away.
We got acclimatised to ‘British Breakfast’ pretty quickly as we realised it was the safe haven for vegetarians (the only option for a full meal 😃). It never disappointed us though, easily available across the vicinity, whether it was Liverpool, Chester or New Brighton.
After spending so many years in the UK, Liverpool still stands out for a sublime experience. Perhaps, another visit is due again, someday.
Kashmir ki Wadiyan
Visiting Kashmir in July last year was a unique experience. We have visited many hill stations in the last 20 years, but this was different. Kashmir is a bundle of beauty, magnificence and anxiety. A place where you can feel love and hatred in the same frame, a place where fear and bliss live together, a place where guns and serenity flourish amidst darkness and glory.
I never wanted to leave Kashmir, but at the same time, I quickly wanted to get rid of this place and leave at the earliest after 6 days of mixed emotions.
Till next time, if there is one ❤️.
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
Our visit to the holy place was nothing short of a dream that finally came true. In the bucket list for eternity, this is now truly ‘Done’.
Truly, a divine experience! Merely just setting our foot in the largest Gurudwara was indeed a cherished moment, something which cannot be described in simple words. After a long queue and witnessing the aura that surrounds this place, we placed our prayers in the ‘Akaal Takht’ before proceeding to the ‘Langar Seva’.
And that is where, everything fell apart. One of the most disappointing aspects of this otherwise totally, serene and magical place was unfortunately, this. And to mention, this is not my first visit to a Gurudwara and its ‘Langar Seva’. Over the years, I have visited Gurudwaras in Calcutta, London, Peterborough and more recently, in Edinburgh and Glasgow. We were blown away by their hospitality, their attitude of service mindedness and the sweetness of their food, people and culture. So obviously, our expectations were sky high.
Thud and Begging! That was precisely how I felt when we sat for Langar. Throwing the plates with disdain, rice hardly cooked, the dal was, not sure what it was, and supposedly ‘kheer’ was just hot water with pinches of sugar. Forget divine, beggars might get better food anywhere these days. I was shocked beyond words. Not that we went all the way to ‘The Golden Temple’ for the food but over the years, our expectations were built on what we have heard from other, dependable sources (who visited the temple earlier). But this was not what I had signed up for.
So whatever we heard was obviously in the past, done and dusted. Commercialisation at its worst, at the expense of rich culture and legacy. Money and arrogance have taken over compassion and kindness. Indeed, fall from glory!
Nevertheless, I do have fond takeaways from Amritsar and Punjab, in general. But, this feeling of anguish and disappointment will linger for a long time to come. And in a way, took the sheen off an otherwise wonderful, week long hip-hop where we managed to capture some iconic landmarks of our country.
Pouring Snow
On his birthday in 2021, it was raining snow in Peterborough. It felt divine, we felt the gods were blessing him with all they had, and we were buried under supreme whiteness of sheer joy and a sense of goodness that was to follow.
Such days of bliss are rare, and remain unforgettable.
Cityscape
I particularly like the view – shot from St James Quarters while returning from office, this was an unexpected encounter with the landscape of Edinburgh City Centre. Busy, bustling with usual evening chores, people thriving through traffic though pleasing enough to walk through the local stores and watch the sun settling down nicely enough to enjoy the evening stroll back home.
A perfect evening to round up your day.
Castle of 007
One of the most visited castles in the Western Highlands of Scotland, Eilean Donnan Castle invokes stunning beauty and nostalgia for the James Bond aficionados. Surrounded by 3 lochs – Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, the castle is a paradise for photographers like me. I could spend all day here and would be still gasping for more of those ethereal shots from every corner of the island. Your eyes and lenses with both remain famished forever.
A throwback for ages ❤️.
JCP Attari – An Emotional Experience
This place will give you goosebumps.
Not just the aura, but for the intense emotions that this place exudes along with the stigma of sadness and incomprehensible loss that we have witnessed over the years remains unparalleled, this stage will let you scream from the inside for the lives we have lost.
For the first time in my life, I saw a Pakistani flag flying high near our most revered Indian Tricolours. Technically, I witnessed the Pakistani soil from close quarters, and for many reasons, known and unknown, I despised their presence. Mind you, I have never considered myself to be a patriot but this was something else. Spontaneous, straight from the heart.
Two nations – so near, yet so far. Truly, miles away, in every sense of human indulgence.
Spain’s Night Out
Spain were deserving winners last night. I was disappointed with England’s defensive approach and lacklustre football. In such high profile finals, we expect teams to take an all-out approach where you look to penetrate early, % of ball possession needs to be at the maximum and force the opponent to take risks and capitalise on their misses. Spain did all this remarkably and clearly, looked a better team last night.
Alvaro Morata was looking agile, rallying well around his team as they started pushing England very early. There is a reason why Spain’s ball possession in the first 45 minutes was around 70% – that for sure is a clear indication of who dominated most of the final. I expected Kane and Saka to deliver the goods but both looked off colour. Nico Williams struck gold for Spain in the 47th minute and Cole Parmer shot the equaliser in the 73rd but England never really looked in control, it was as if they were waiting for Spain to ram the next goal and then they would retaliate. Or perhaps wait for the game to go in to ET. But that was not to be. And obviously, Mike Oyarzabal’s winner in the 86th was a stunner and sealed the fate for England.
Spain wanted to win Euro 2024 and they rightfully did so. England lacked the intent and were outplayed by a better team who were consistent throughout, pushed boundaries and possessed a greater desire to win.
End of an Era
Watching today’s Wimbledon final felt like ‘passing over the mantle to the next generation’ kind of a feeling.
Djokovic is a champion player and his stats speak for themselves – 24 Grand Slams, 7 Wimbledon titles and iconic rivalries with contemporary giants like Federer and Rafa. But everything doesn’t last forever. I still remember those days of my childhood when Sampras was my hero and when he bowed out, paving the way for a young Roger Federer, we knew that someone else has taken over. That time has come again, to bid goodbye to one of the modern greats and welcome Alcaraz to the future ( at least I see him winning lots more of such Grand Slams in the coming years). I realise Djokovic has not retired yet and perhaps will come for another showdown next year, but clearly, the world of Tennis is ready for the next set of champions.
I am also looking forward to some interesting contests in the future – Sinner, Musetti and Medvedev are good players, and am sure there are more who are not in the spotlight yet but with the landscape all set for the new breed to come in, I am sure we are in more for a very open, interesting and competitive next 10 years.
Marble Vibes
I visited Taj Mahal around 30 years ago. And then, came back to the white marbles in Dec 2023 with my family. And, what we saw was beyond what we felt.
There is no doubt, and absolutely undisputed, this place has an ‘Aura’ which cannot be described in mortal words. And no, not because it is universally acknowledged as ‘A Symbol of Love’. Quite the contrary, actually. To be honest, I do find that statement precariously overrated. It is a symbol of everything else but love. Except the innate feelings of the man himself who built it (and there is no way to substantiate or justify the quantum of love which is so uniquely intangible), Taj Mahal stands for the audacity of its time and a tribute to the era that saw nothing but ruthlessness, violence, war, disdain, retribution and hatred for the core ideologies of human kind. The irony is, the world stands on those very ideologies that act as a fundamental for mankind today, and you and me are testimony to those values in totality.
What makes me appreciate the monument, above all the propaganda and vulnerable legacy is its masterclass in architecture and the finesse of those hands which built this majestic structure, which has undoubtedly stood the test of time.
To survive till the 21st century (and hopefully for many more years to come) is an astonishing feat, and there is a sublime reason behind its gloriously inviting demeanour.
Silence
This picture was shot during the Pandemic (in Oct 2020).
It was still so beautiful around but fear and death were doing the rounds then. The silence was so deafening that we all wanted this to end, desperately.
Thankfully, here we are. Times change.
Downtown
Liverpool City Centre is a bustling part of the city filled with energy, positivity and charm.
I used to commute everyday from St Domingo Vale to the City Centre (way back in 2014-15), it used to be roughly 20-25 minutes depending on traffic. Just to mention and this is specifically for my football aficionados – our apartment in St Domingo Vale was the street just opposite to ‘The Anfield Football Club’, so basically they were our illustrious neighbours 😊.
The city centre in itself is a place where you feel refreshed and contented. Weekends obviously stirs up with lots of people, shops open and plenty of restaurants to devour your taste buds. The Liverpool Dock is very close by, overseeing the Mersey river. In fact, I could see the Mersey river from my office (we were in the 4th or 5th floor, I guess), which is certainly one of the most endearing sights ever.
Changing Landscapes
I wasn’t raised in this part of Calcutta but many years later, I lived in Newtown for few years as it was very close to my workplace, commuting from South Calcutta would be a pain, especially during peak hours. But obviously, the quintessential ‘Calcutta’ vibe was missing. I realised how far the city has spread across and yet, it is though still the same city that made me.
But that never stopped me from travelling to the original parts of the city. I lived and worked in Newtown but you could frequently find me in the hotspots of Calcutta city. Be it Ballygunge, Southern Avenue or New Alipore in the South; Baghbazar, Central Avenue or Dalhousie towards the North. These places are laden with imprints of my childhood.
A never ending romance with the ‘City of Joy’.
Run for a Cause
Fitness is a journey, not a destination.
Thank you, TCS!
#FitForLife #FitnessGoals
City of Dreams
London is just like any other metropolis, I find it very similar to Mumbai or Calcutta or Chennai. Always buzzing with people, every corner of the city is awake 24/7, cultural diversity runs through the DNA of the city landscape and the city appears to be as much yours as anybody else’s.
I have visited London umpteen times, with friends and family. We aware never to come back as we feel we have seen enough of London and at times, also found it spectacularly overrated. Yet, we are back every time. It looks like the inevitable, doesn’t matter what we think, but there is something in this city that brings you back. Charm, vibes.. call it whatever you want. But when London calls, you just go.
Traditions of Life
A culture is a manifestation of self. I can vouch for this statement when I look around and see how festivities unfold.
Brightness is a symbol of optimism and hope. It is a beginning of the trust we have in fate, destiny or whatever is already written but not visible to us.
Thus begins the journey to believe that all will be well or at least reasonably acceptable for us to justify the written.
So what this does is – negates the degree of disappointment through a shield that guards your failures. Moreover, hope is meant to disguise your pain and recreate a path for survival.
How many of us have felt this way?
Irrfan – Remembering the Performer..
Perhaps the most unique find in the field of Cinema in the last 25-30 years. Gifted and natural, Irrfan Khan was one of those actors who defied the qualities that goes in to the making of a superstar.
Ordinary face (not conventional), bulging eyes, tall but not a domineering presence, no six packs nor does he have the ability to woo women with dimples on his cheek.
Yet, when you watch Irrfan Khan performing, it still gives you the goosebumps. The intensity, the panache and the voice that resonates with an oomph and delivers a punch so strong that it will linger long enough within us to admire and cherish his talent.
I was totally in awe of him in and as ‘Maqbool’, he was again brilliant in and as ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, was effortlessly cool in ‘Piku’ and blemish less in ‘The Namesake’. Though he played a cameo in ‘Haider’, he went on to immortalise ‘Roohdaar’. And how can we forget his exploits as a recluse in ‘The Lunchbox’? He was an actor who could make us cry and laugh in the same space.
His voice was a dynamite. No baritone but it was so powerfully laced that you get addicted to it. An example is the film ‘Gunday’, and the only thing I remember about that film was that he rendered his voice for the narrative and by miles, his voice was the only saving grace of that film. Another film where he dazzled as a performer was ‘Puzzle’. He was phenomenal in the epic drama, ‘Qissa’. He could deliver such sensitive and dark emotions with aplomb. His sincerity and conviction towards those iconic characters were so unbelievably contagious and restrained.
Seldom do such actors come, create an impact which lasts for a lifetime and then move on to a greater endeavour.
Irrfan, Cinema misses you.
The Wonders of North-East
Tucked away in a corner of the North East, Kaziranga National Park is a gem. The forest is massive in magnitude – spread across, sometimes dense and sometimes so open that for few seconds you feel like you are in the nowhere. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it does at times awe you for its sheer size, not much in terms of the inhabitants (you could say we were a tad unlucky). But we were fortunate to witness the flagship animal of Kaziranga – the one horned Rhino. Majestically poised, it gave us the much needed views to bolster our confidence (we ended up doing 4 Jeep safaris in a span of 2 days). Some migratory birds, elephants and endangered deers (including the Barasingha) enthralled us with their presence but the Rhinos were just class apart. Yes, no Tigers. Despite being a Tiger Reserve, we were not fortunate enough to even sight one of them. There were rumours, and there was a buzz for a while but eventually faded away and I lost hope. But never mind, Corbett and Ranthambore in my agenda will follow suit. For now, I would allow myself some time to bask in the aura of Kaziranga.
Shillong lives up to its reputation of possessing its nickname – ‘Scotland of the East’. I can most certainly vouch for it since I have lived in Scotland for 2 years, so you now know it’s genuinely true. Beautiful landscapes, gorgeous waterfalls and cloud-laden mountains – as enchanting as it comes! A small town which also happens to be the capital of Meghalaya, is a testimony to the saying – small things are packaged well. Indeed, the hilly, cuddling town is very cozy and an ideal destination away from the hustle and bustle of the urban jungles we are bestowed with. Absolute saviour!
Kamakhya temple in Guwahati was divine and worth the wait though we were very disappointed with the way the administration was run, or rather the lack of it. Spectacularly mismanaged and ridiculously disorganised, it’s a shame that corruption and bureaucracy has creeped in our places of worship. On the contrary, the Brahmaputra river cruise was well arranged with luxury seating and cuisine on the background of the magnificent Brahmaputra river was a blessing to our sore eyes. It was a wee bit cloudy on that particular day but nevertheless the sunset was inevitably enjoyable and a peaceful sojourn.
Ah! Those Peaks!
Yes, the visit to the Isle of Skye a couple of years was as enchanting as they come.
Those snow laden mountains, the never ending landscape that refuses to disappear and the collage of the magnificent towns that remain engulfed in the purity of Mother Nature!
What a lovely throwback! Thank you for the moments.
Waves of Life
Every time I look at them, the innocence and the arrogance culminating in the same frame stuns you. It comes, goes back, comes again with rejuvenated strength and then disappears before emerging again. Every time, it comes back – a bit more stronger, with more conviction but very fragile at the same time. Anything built around its confidence is destroyed, though can be reshaped again.
That leaves us with a strong predicament. We, as human beings are invincible and vulnerable in bubbles. One comes, stays. The other one might come with it or make a separate entrance. One might stay a bit longer, the other one might stay forever (depends on how you are made).
Do I wait for the bubble to explode or am I the ‘Bubble’ in itself that needs introspection?
Food for thought.
Animal – Vengeance Reloaded
I could derive a few meaningful lessons from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Animal’. Yes, amidst all the criticism despite blockbuster Box Office numbers, I decided to watch the movie, exempt from certain prejudices and expectations.
First things first. ‘Animal’, ‘Kabir Singh’ and ‘Arjun Reddy’ are not the first films in Indian Cinema to depict and propel misogyny, male chauvinism and submissive women (though I don’t think women are shown as meek creatures in ‘Animal’, in fact quite the opposite but I will come back to that piece in a while). In the last 40-50 years, in both Indian and World Cinema, such characters have been depicted, celebrated and have attained a cult status over the years. So why all the fuss now? I think we as an audience and critic, have become closed and saturated, and very conveniently come out of it when it pleases us. Which is quite frankly and evidently, double standards and is not fair.
I have watched ‘Animal’ very closely – as a commercial audience and as a critic who has an inseparable connection with parallel cinema. ‘Animal’ is definitely not the best in it’s genre, in fact it is quite far from it. It has numerous flaws – excessive, unwanted violence and gore, the typical ‘you kill me- I kill you’ formula and the obsessively dangerous, vulnerable and ignited characters (including the protagonist) who only know to shed, chew and drink blood. But, I also see some sheen in the soul of those characters (does draw the similarity from ‘Kabir Singh’).
The strongest alibi of ‘Animal’ is the relationship between father and son. And it is also the weakest. Yet, I saw a very strong message from the director and that is where I believe my perspective stands out. The fragile and a combustible relationship is so ferociously depicted that it is almost perfect and then almost immediately imperfect. At times, you feel sorry for the son who pleads, begs and kills to earn his father’s unconditional love and trust. But for me, it does raise the most sensitive subject in an implicit and loud lanaguage – Poor Parenting. For me, that’s the greatest lesson from ‘Animal’. Outside, it is all painted in red and flashes the quintessential Bollywood masala film with ‘Guns and Gore’. But inside, I found little flavours of good cinema. Just a little bit.
‘Animal’ draws references from many classics (Indian and World Cinema), especially to showcase violence. Scarface, Reservoir Dogs, Oldboy, Kill Bill, Gangs of Wasseypur.. to name a few. But these films were ahead of their times in terms of treatment and the plot, and were more aesthetically shot with better scripts and screenplay that justified their run time. The problem with ‘Animal’ is that it’s violence (mostly, unwantedly explicit and confused) almost overshadows the brilliant and effortless performances of Ranbir Kapoor and Bobby Deol (perhaps the most dangerous cameo ever in recent past).
Now. touching upon the topic of Women integrity. I thought the women were very strongly built characters in ‘Animal’. Yes, they do look very weak in front of their monster husbands but only a woman of grit and strong character can manage to sleep in the same bed with such men. And the scene where the protagonist’s wife retaliates when her parents imply that she should leave him for good, leaves a lasting impression. That kind of defines how the women in ‘Animal’ are made of – despite the flaws in her man, she also acknowledges the fact that he was there for her when no one else was. A woman doesn’t need to adopt violence to show that she is strong and competent, she holds her own against the mighty men, flaunting integrity and self respect. I was surprised to see Twitter over flowing with emotions and hatred – I am sure we all have seen similar sequences in numerous classics over the years, so not sure what triggered the sudden outpouring for Women empowerment and the backlash the film received. Let me also remind all the critics and other film experts – though I strongly believe that Cinema is a powerful medium of art and propagation, it has always been a potboiler of exaggeration and over dramatism – this is so much applicable for commercial cinema. Just that some filmmakers are well nuanced and have a more subtle way of describing messages, some are not. But let’s not get overtly carried away with such swaying sentiments. If Cinema could change everything, we would be living in a much better place today. Cinema is an opinion, not a verdict delivered by law.
‘Animal’ is an entertaining film and let’s leave it there. It is not for everyone and it is not a special film either. But it is certainly watchable in parts for those soulful moments and a powerhouse called ‘Ranbir Kapoor’.
Welcome 2024 ~ Cheers to a year of hopes 🍺❤️🙏
2023 – I won’t mince words, it was a disappointing year for us. But as we close in, it all seems forgotten and worth it (arguably!).
But, valuable lessons learnt and I am back with the energy and enthusiasm that I am usually known for. I have learnt to manage my own expectations, underplay overwhelming ambitions and believe in God. Plans can and will fail, but its important to stay focussed and prepare well, prepare early. I am trying to learn and unlearn from the experiences that shook me in 2023, and the ones that made me stand tall despite downfalls and failures.
2023 was an eventful year, no doubt about it. But it was also drama unlimited, swaying emotions, plethora of disappointments laden with high octane hopes and witnessing those inimitable moments getting derailed by the twist of time. We learnt to remain grounded, patient and yet remain alive with our hopes and dreams.
I am a traveller and my family is my biggest strength – that has obviously surfaced as we kept up with our tradition to explore and keep ourselves rejuvenated.
I am not down, and am back with all the vigour that’s required to scale up and stay relevant.
My 2023 @MUBI
See the movies that have shaped my year.
https://mubi.com/en/retrospective/e987cea7b82fe2f06d8efa57de2dfa58
Cheers!
When Test Cricket stood tall.
The famous Aussie win in Edgbaston notwithstanding, the Ashes opener was also a defining statement for the detractors who strongly believe that Test cricket is on its way to a resounding decline. The first test in Birmingham was a great advertisement for Test cricket, and watching the top 2 test teams battling it out on the 22 yard strip was an absolute delight to watch.
But this also takes me to the more important questions and the contextual disasters around India’s failure in crucial test matches (home and abroad). If we are beating our chest for outplaying the Aussies last year on potential minefields in the Border – Gavaskar trophy, then I am sorry but we really need to look at the benchmarks we are setting for ourselves and more importantly how prepared we are for crucial test matches against the more dominant teams (England, Australia and South Africa).
That also leads us to a very significant question – how strategically does BCCI view our test commitments against the more lucrative IPL and T-20 agenda. I agree the money is nice for everyone but how does that benefit India when we are not capable of picking a quality side who can win important and elusive ICC events against the top teams? Where is the bench? It appears that our key players are now waiting for their swan-song to play out in a gorgeous send off while we aren’t very sure about who is going to lead us for the next 10 years. Moreover, do we have the vision to see how the Indian Cricket team pans out in the next decade or so beyond the cash cows like IPL and other T-20 assignments. Even ODIs these days has taken a backseat, which is obviously bad news for the 4-year World Cups which has been ICC/BCCI’s flagship event since the early 90s.
The WTC final defeat and the hapless manner in which we lost, not to mention the massive failure of our top batters was shameful and unacceptable. It also clearly sent the message that how unprepared we were for the tournament and the more attractive IPL was clearly everyone’s priority (this includes the board, the selectors and the players). It appears that country has indeed been relegated to secondary status while Franchise cricket, the T-20 mania and the subsequent money has become paramount. There really needs to be a balance between these formats if we really value performance at the top level.
I am not trying to demean the shorter format but by the looks of it, it is obviously affecting our core value system and it appears that is slowly taking the sheen away from the most valuable format in the history of the game.
A Sunday in Sand
Dunbar did have moments of glory – a quite coastal town that has shades of North Berwick (the similarities are evidently visible), a very silent, sleepy town with the only salient features being the exquisite sand, the glittering waters and the semblance of sunshine.
A beautiful sight where the birds gang-ed up for a chit-chat
Sky. Blue.
Amidst all the ruins, I still aspire to be me.
Looking above doesn’t make me feel small. Rather, the indomitable spirit of the aerial demons cajole and provoke to take that leap beyond limitations and apprehensions.
Honestly, the above kind of undermines my situation at the moment, supersedes the ‘hope’ element and completely washes it away. I think the current vibes underlines ambiguity and perhaps present a widely distorted view of the immediate future. Nevertheless, hanging around from the top makes it look like a survivor though inside, I feel a hinge of vulnerability.
Never mind. That’s me, sorry if this didn’t seem like an ideal ‘night out’ statement. Signing off, Ta.
God’s 50!
When I walked in to the Lords museum in 2014, this was the first thing I saw, and you couldn’t miss it. And, that was just so enough and fulfilling and by all means a definitive ‘goosebump’ moment for a quintessential fanboy.
In fact, it kind of sums it up so spectacularly. ‘God of Cricket’ in ‘Lords’ as he prepares to leave the dressing room for one last time. And that sight remains immortalised in our lives.
Can’t say more, need not say more.
Sachin, wish you a very happy birthday ❤️🎂🍺🙏
Emotions Uncertain
The Storm
Some are visible, most of them are not.
It’s not the turbulence outside that bothers me, it’s the unknown which haunts you to the core. Perhaps the price you pay for being ambitious, or just the feeling that some things don’t work for you is beyond the factors of inevitability. You want to accept the otherwise, but you are not quite there to accept the order of the written (is it, already?).
You get in to a mode of self resistance, pessi-optimism and terrible planning mania. Well, none of it is my core attribute but a situation that evolves out of a surprise, boils down to a pothole of darkness and then provides a semblance of hope that ceases to dissipate and dissolve at the similar levels of uncertainty.
The path to achieve your dreams has never been easier. And the juggernaut to stay afloat, to remain relevant and to believe that I am valuable enough to steer the ship continues. Relentlessly.
Paradise in Mayhem – S01E02
Love
Cathy met Jacob when she was 5 years old. He was 11 then and used to spend a lot of time in his father’s bakery which was just adjacent to Cathy’’s. Their parents have been running the bakery business since the last 30 years, and have seen the worst since. Jacob lost his father last year to Cholera when a massive epidemic hit the town and took away lives. Cathy and Jacob have spent a lot of time together since their childhood and the past few years have seen them drawing closer to each other – emotionally. Obviously, their parents are oblivious of their proximity as their moist eyes have been busy wrapping up the pain and suffering around them, so the more intricate emotions in life took a backseat. But Cathy and Jacob are immersed in a tornado of love.
Survival
Cathy’s mom is rushing to the bakery as news just dropped that their bakery has been attacked by the soldiers on the other. In fact, the more depressing wave of news is that the southern part of the town was attacked and is in shambles, the bakery is just situated on the tip of the south. Cathy’s father left for the bakery in the morning since he had a consignment that was to be dispatched to the families in the north and the west – those areas were the worst affected since the dark days descended upon them. This piece of bombshell left Cathy’s mom in tatters as she rushed towards the vicinity of the bakery. She asked Cathy to stay at home, keep the doors and windows closed. But Cathy was unable to resist the temptation of this impending tragedy. She was dead scared, but did not want her mom to go alone. But her mom was not in a frame of mind to listen and Cathy was too struck to explain what she is going through. Her mom left, asking her to lock up and stay indoors.
2 Friends – Chapter 2
Jennifer’s father wants her to move to Cambridge for further studies and towards a more illustrious life. He firmly believes that moving to Cambridge will open up plenty of opportunities for her to grow and prosper. He also believes that this move will get her out of the shell and open up her life to a more social outlook where she can get herself acquainted with people and the wider society. But this is not what Jennifer wants. She wants to stay near her father, forever. Neither does she like the idea of breaking her reclusive nature to become a social animal. Her father loves her a lot but as any father would do, he wants her to become independent, have a life of her own and build her own future. Also, Jennifer doesn’t want to get in to the much raved social circles that her father is so proud to be a part of. Moreover, she isn’t ready to move out of Bangalore yet (though she was raised and spent substantial amount of her childhood in her aunt’s beach house in Goa).
Maya always had kindness and compassion embedded in her since childhood. Her dream is to move to Dehradun and work for a NGO (she has started working as trainee while she is pursuing her Bachelors). The very thought of giving back to the society would infuse an energy within her that knew no limits. Her conservative upbringing and middle class values were also instrumental in paving the way for her philanthropic mindset. Her parents though have a different take on her future. They want her to complete here studies and get married but Maya is quite a rebel in many ways. She doesn’t want to be stereotyped and is obviously not ready for domestic affairs to crush her dreams. And she is determined to follow her heart despite the resistance that surrounds her.
End of an Era
I have never seen Pele play but I am sure I would have loved him every bit if I was around then – his prodigious talent and the aura are testimonials to his greatness. No doubt, he is widely and inarguably considered to be the greatest ever.
For me, the pillars of greatness have retired (fallen is not the apt word) to kick a football in heaven.
RIP Sir, and Thank you – for the legacy and memoirs of this beautiful game.
@Lifeoholic 