Desi Pink Panther

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1. Pink Panther

Recently I watched Peter Sellers play the bumbling French detective Inspector Clouseau in the classic "Pink Panther" series. He is undoubtedly one of the most comically gifted actors that I have ever seen. Steve Martin has done a tremendous job too in the recent remake of Pink Panther. While watching Awara Pagal Deewana yesterday and seeing Paresh Rawal drive everyone crazy by messing up their names, a thought crept up in my mind, "What if they remade Pink Panther in Bollywood". Most of the so called current "comedy" directors Priyadarshan, Bazmee and David Dhawan would massacre/defile the revered classic, but let us assume for a minute that we have a good director for this script.

Paresh Rawal would play an absent minded bumbling Gujrathi Policeman who considers himself to be a brilliant detective. He drives criminals as well as his superiors crazy by the sheer buffoonery that he is capable of and also by his innate ability to forget names. Johnny lever would be perfect as his assistant Kato who has been told to attack him at all times so as to keep the detective more vigilant. Chief Inspector Dreyfus could be played by Boman Irani who is eventually driven by Clouseau to such complete insanity that he ends up being admitted to an asylum after he tries to assassinate Clouseau himself. This could be a laugh riot if handled properly.

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2. Indy is Back

Also watched the latest version of Indiana Jones in the theatre, first day first show. It was an "out-worldly" entertainer though not as good as "Raiders" or "Last Crusade". I was all of 10 when I last saw Indy (Last Crusade) in a movie theatre in Singapore. It took me almost 19 years to see the famous Fedora and Whip back in action. I ended up humming the familiar movie tune all the way home. Welcome back Mr. Jones.

The last couple of years, the movies coming out of Hollywood have re-kindled some old memories. First they made "Transformers" (one of my all time favorite cartoons when I was a kid) into a movie. Then there were the sequels to "Die Hard" and "Indiana Jones", some of the most memorable films of the 80s. Now they have just released a movie version of "Get Smart" a hilarious old TV sitcom that had a bumbling "Agent 86" called Maxwell Smart" trying to outsmart a criminal organisation. In addition to all this, an aged Rambo and a retired Rocky were back for more action, the Joker will be playing mayhem in Gotham city and Superman has a new younger avatar.

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3. Central Park

After living in the NY city vicinity for more than 3 years, I finally managed to explore beyond the 5th avenue corner of Central Park. I had no idea that there was so much to do in Central Park. They have beautiful lawns, lakes and large green meadows filled with throngs of people in the summer playing ball, flying kites, throwing Frisbees or just plain lying on the grass tanning in the sun. And all this activity is right in the middle of the city. Sigh, when will the honorable city planners of India ever learn the importance of green space.

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Holi Hai !!!!

My holi weekend was one the most fun weekends ever. My friend Kuku AK and his wife BK had driven down to Mineola for the weekend. It all started off with a fright night on Friday as we sat down to watch the horror flick "The Ring". It wasn't as scary as I expected it to be, but that was probably because, 1) I had watched Scary Movie-3 earlier and 2) Kuku AK kept cracking silly comments during the course of the movie.

Saturday evening was holi-time, and we had a ball (read loaded balloons) behind our apartment; at the end of which, we were cold, wet and covered in various shades of red and pink (we looked liked we had come out of a shivering Halloween Zombie parade). I am sure our neighbours must have been tempted to call the emergency Psychiatric ward at the nearby Winthrop Hospital.

Little did I know the funnest part of the day was yet to begin. We went off to watch the late night screening of "Race" which is a paisa vasool movie as long as you keep your brains aside and worth the price in black if you are a fan of Katrina. Later that night, after the movie, what started off as Peacock kumar's short funny immitation of Salman Khan jiving to "Dil Deewana Bin Sajani Ke" in MPK turned into a full fledged crazy funny dance night.

Here are some of the lessons of the night. 

1. Kuku AK was the only guy who danced his heart out, and is without a shred of doubt the best dancer among us all. (Of course, he cannot be compared to Mr. Shoulders who is in a league of his own)

2. In the song "Rangeela Re", "KU KU" is a part of lyrics, as in "Jeene mai, fir to kyaa baat hai KU-KU".

3. It is important to SING (read scream, shout) while dancing and more important that you make up your own lyrics as you sing. The whackier the lyrics, the more the fun. Also there is a Marathi song of a chicken running away on one leg (what will they come up with next ?)

4. It is possible to swing your arms wildly and turn your waist 180 degrees ... all this while sitting cross legged on an infinitely small and completely unstable stool. (and we are NOT talking about Jason Bourne)

5. Peacock kumar is undoubtedly the Salman Khan and/or Jackie Shroff of Long Island. His valiant attempts at being Fardeen Khan will always be remembered and is the only dance routine of the night, not captured on video.

6. Jason Bourne jinxed the camera so that he couldn't be captured dancing to bollywood tunes.

7. Mr. Kuku AK danced practically with everyone and every prop that he could lay his eyes on including Peacock Kumar's stuffed Cat as well as a football. (This is an open challenge for Mr. Shoulders)

8. Teen deviyaan .. the dancing kittens is the name of a new movie releasing this summer. Mr. Chow has already bagged the downloading and screening rights.

9. Teddy Bear Catching (to be played with a stuffed Cat) is a new dance form that can we done while dancing around in circles. This will soon be introduced as a new dance form on "Boogie Woogie" and "Dancing with the Stars".

10. The best dancer of the night judged exclusively by the Kuku-AK will get hit by a football for no apparent rhyme or reason.

11. 6 people dancing at the same time is enough to cause a minor earthquake. (To be precise 6 on the Richter scale)

Thankfully for me, this was successfully recorded on the video cam and everytime I watch it, I burst out laughing. This blog is especially dedicated to Kuku AK, the guy who can make even footballs and stuffed cats seem hilarious and to Peacock Kumar's neighbours for tolerating us.

2007 Special - An Year to Remember

2007 is almost over and we'll be celebrating the start of a new year tonight. 07 has been a very eventful year. Politicians all over did what politicians always do, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated, India won a World Cup, runaway bride Ash finally settled on Abhi for marriage, India got itself its first woman President, Modi won yet another election, Britney and Lindsay lost it completely and then lost it again, Gore won an Oscar as well as a Nobel and a crazy gunman shot up VTech on a murderous spree. 

Here is a rundown on the best of the best for this year and some special awards for the people / events that have made a difference to this year and to this blog. ;)

1. Celebrity Marriage Event of the Year -

Talking of marriages, this was an year of marriages. A few of my really good friends and a bunch of my close cousins got married this year. Here's a toast to a successful married life for them.

Going back to our special award, the celebrity marriage event of the year award boils down to 2 marriages quite similar to each other. On one hand we had a celebrity marriage that united the "so-called" most beautiful woman in the world ("I strongly beg to differ") with the scion of a megastar Bollywood icon, and on the other hand we had a my friend AK's marriage that had it all, filmy music, Yash-raj style Punjabi dancing and Manish Malhotra designer wear. The winner was an easy pick, AK, take a bow. Aish and Abhi are no match for your enthusiasm fuelled, full on Josh choreographed dance routines nor your stylish films inspired designer wear.

2. Rail Gaadi of the Year

No, we are not talking about the LIRR or the NY subway or the Mumbai local trains. We are referring here to the politically driven ego self centered trains that ran around the country all year round making noise and blowing a lot of unwanted empty steam. I am sure you all remember the quote on empty vessels.

The winner of this special and unique award is the Karat Kolkatta Chug Chug Express. This train came with a special "Made in China" tag and ran all over Bengal and Delhi making an immense racket on US imperialism, Hindu Communal-ism and Chinese supremacy, never once threatening to run out of empty steam. Close runners up featured 1. the antique "Coal" powered Karunanidhi Chennai Slow Mail that barely walked in TN while blowing its immensely loud horn once in a while; and 2. the humble Yeda Ghoda Benguluuroo Maal Gaadi that ran only in Bangalore and changed tracks so often that it derailed itself and took along the entire state with it.

3. Made for Each Other Award

This was a tough one to choose. Madam Gandhi/Moneymohan Singh and Hillary/Obama ran them close but the winners by a small margin were Bhutto and Mushy. This story had everything, covert "get to know each other" meetings with Bush uncle playing cupid, a secret pact to share power, a well publicized return to her country from exile and a betrayal when Mushy declared emergency. Unfortunately this alliance ended in tragedy when Bhutto was brutally shot (or was it shrapnel from the bomb or did she hit her head on the sunroof while trying to duck ... it will always remain a mystery as is everything else in Pakistani politics).

4. Reality Show of the Year

There were only 2 nominees for this particular award. The show organized by the UPA government to select the President for India and the one held by the BCCI to find a coach for the Indian team. The award will be shared between the 2 and the money will be divided equally between the already rich respective sponsors, UPA and BCCI.

a) Coach Kaun Banega

In this show, based on the American Idol; contestants had to undergo rigorous qualifying rounds in front of a panel of judges that included Lalit Modi, Gavaskar & Sharad Pawar. The 3 stooges, oops judges, were the sole arbitrators of the contest. The winner bagged the job of Indian coach. Perks included being ridiculed, humiliated and blamed for all of BCCI follies. Ultimately, an ex SA player with absolutely no prior coaching experience, was declared the winner.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Bandar baaki sab Sikandar.

b) President Kaun Banega

This was a reality show to choose the next President of India, roughly based on the Apprentice. There was but a single judge, Sonia Gandhi. Whoever managed to impress her the most got the job. Some of the tasks included washing Madam's feet, learning Italian and agreeing with every sentence that Madam spoke.

The winner of this contest was a previously unknown politician who claimed to have conversed with spirits. Such a huge departure from a scientist ex-President.

5. Movie Event of the Year Award

This year a number of classics came out. I ended up watching quite a few of them, a couple of those starred the Khan of Ham and Cheese (surprisingly they were both quite entertaining). I am hoping I don't end up doing that ever again.

The nominees for the Movie Event of the Year award are the blue-tinted, completely pointless "Saawariya" (a very very close runner up to the eventual winner), the cheap and hilariously unfunny "Heyy Baby", the singing bearded-topi starrer "Aap Ka Saroor" and the over the top "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom".

But the winner in the category by far is the most fascinating movie ever made, the totally unnecessary, narcissistically titled, Sholay remake, "RGV ki Aag". Innovative camera angles that hovered from nowhere, Bachchan in an avatar never seen before and hopefully never again, a heroine who believes acting is exposing and shooting locales that couldn't brighten up your day even if you were all alone in Siberia in the midst of winter. This movie is a must see just so that it can be treated as a perfect example of "how not to make a movie".

Thats my recap of a crazy yet fun filled 2007. Hopefully 2008 will have a lot of good things to write about. Wishing you all, a very Happy and Joyous 2008 !!!!!

Of Ghosts, Ghouls and Shantipriya

1. Halloween Day Parade

We had been to the Halloween Day Parade in East Village, Manhattan a fortnight ago. East village had a carnival atmosphere, vibrant and colorful and filled with people wearing the most atrocious of costumes. This is one of the biggest parades of its kind in the world. The spooky procession had it all from ghouls, ghosts, zombies and other grotesque characters of the underworld to the who's who of crazy movie characters from Hollywood and other pop cultures. However the funniest costume in the parade was the one dressed up as Prez Bush playing with a giant globe, 'accidentally' dropping it once in a while. Unfortunately my camera battery was running low and so couldn't take any snaps but will definitely click some next year.

Talking of ghosts, we ended up watching Bhool Bhulaiyya at home couple of weekends ago. It's definitely a one time watch as a supernatural thriller with a sprinkling of silly comedy.


2. Om Shanti Om


Its rare that I end up watching 2 SRK movies in a theatre within an year (Actually its rare that I watch any SRK movie, period) and the most shocking part is that I actually ended up liking both. It was with great reluctance that I even agreed to go for the movie. There was nothing new with the story as such since it was a typical re-birth saga like Karz, only the setting was different and while SRK has hammed away to glory, the hamming bonanza is actually in character, both as an 'over the top' filmy junior artist in the 70s as well the spoilt rich superstar in the present. In spite of all this I still ended up walking out of the theatre with a big smile on my face. The 5 reasons I would recommend this movie.

1. The Filmfare awards are a laugh riot esp for Akshay and Abhishek.
2. The premier of "Dreamy Girls" and the fun poked at Manoj Kumar and Sooraj Barjatya is absolutely hilarious.
3. The South India movie shooting. Yenda Rascal, Mind It !!!!!
4. Deepika is simply stunning.
5. Deepika is simply stunning.

What is wrong with me? I have been recommending Hindi movies in my last couple of posts, from Johnny Gaddar to SRK's OSO. Sheeesh, have I lowered my standards so much that I have actually started liking new Hindi movies these days or was I just fortunate enough to see 2-3 good movies in a row. Anyways if you see my praising one more Hindi movie on my blogs in the next one month, I will force myself to watch RGV ki Aag and Jhoom Barabar back to back all alone. Sigh.

Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost.

Apan ka World This Week

Much has been going on in the news these days. So I thought I would be back with my usual post on the crazy things going on in my / our world.

1. The honorable ex PM, H D Deve Gowda, the humble son of a Karnataka farmer has by sheer greed for power incredibly orchestrated the fall of his own state government headed his own son. Thats what happens when you have a sleepy old ex PM with time on his hands and nothing constructive to do. Maybe we should just sentence him to community service for the rest of his life.

2. What ails the CPI(M). Their staunch opposition to the nuclear deal with the US is in all probability taking us into yet another national election. A bunch of intellectually confused Bengalis, Keralites and a single nonagenarian Sardar decide the fate of a nation of 28 states and 7 Union territories. But then this really does not bother people like Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury much, they know which country their funding comes from.

I am sure the CPI(M) firmly believes in this particular saying ever since their inception, "If it is there to be opposed, Oppose it."

3. Had been to my Karma-bhoomi in the US, Binghamton, over the weekend; my first long drive in our new car. I had a great time, the climate was great, the University has changed a bit for the better, Late Nite is as good, Newing still rocks, Ithaca was wonderful, Cayuga Lake was as serene, Downtown Binghy was completely happening and the best part was the company that I had was awesome. Hopefully we get to do something like this again next fall.

4. Saw "Dhol" a couple of weekends ago. It turned out to be a pretty decent movie. Typical Priyadarshan but was way way less over the top as compared to Heyy Baby and Dhamaal. More sedate if you please. Not that it was a classic or anything, it was just a little less painful as compared to some of the other movies we have watched in the past few months. I have heard some great reviews about Manorama and Johnny Gaddar and plan to watch them over the coming weeks.

5. India got a bruising welcome to the real cricket world after their success at the Twenty20 WC. Aussies, with their egos hurt, took their time inflicting destruction on India in the first 3 One dayers. But an awesome performance at Chandigarh has seen us bounce back into reckoning in the seven match series. Lets hope the team carries on all the good work in the remaining matches. Hail team India.

Thats it for now. I'll be back soon. Adios Muchacho.

My World This Month

Its been a while since I have written about things going on in my world. I have been distracted for a while with the crazy downloaded Hindi movies and the awesome twenty20 cricket played in the World Cup. Still cannot believe we are the world champions. The last time this happened was when i was 4 years old and too young to understand the euphoria. Hopefully soon we shall win the real thing, the ODI World Cup as well as the Test Series against the Aussies in Oz.

Here is my world this month.

1. Congress jump onto the Dhoni mania by referring to Rahul Gandhi as the Dhoni of Indian politics. I am not sure if Dhoni would actually be thrilled by this comparison.

Now that the Italian Madam has a puppet President and a Prime minister, and a party filled with people willing to lie prostate at her feet and obey her every command, she has now chosen her son as the successor of a party. Her mother in law has taught her well. Nepotism does reign supreme. :p

2. The communists are opposing the Nuclear Deal. Nothing new with that. All they know is how to oppose anything and everything. I wasn't too sure initially about the Nuclear deal either but once I heard the communists were opposing it, I knew it definitely had to be good for the country.

3. Mayawati's ambition is to be the Prime minister of the country some day. Kanshi Ram jee what have thy unleashed. I would rather have a slightly corrupt yet suave educated PM than someone like her. Imagine Mayawati having to address a G8 summit in Geneva, it would be somewhat similar to how Aamir Khan acted at a 5 star restaurant in Rangeela. "Idhar misal paav nahi milta ???? :o , kya ghatiya jagah hai yeh".

4. Congress Goverment claim they are firm on the reservation issue. The latest news is that they also declared that from now onwards reservations would be extended to sports as well as entertainment. As per the new notification, cricket team will have 50% quota for the lower castes. One opener, 2 middle order batsman, 1 fast bowler and 1 spinner would hence be reserved for the under privileged castes. This affirmative action shall help in elevating the status of the reserved castes. Movies and television shows will from now on have quotas for the scheduled castes and OBCs.

5. Just watched a Hrishikesh Mukherjee movie, "Kisise Na Kehna" starring Farooq Sheikh, Utpal Dutt, Deven Varma and Deepti Naval. A typical Hrishida movie, the characters are real, genuinely heart warming and funny. There is no over the top humor nor any contrived situations, no one falls over a banana skin nor does anyone scream thru out the movie at the top of their voice. I wonder if either Priyadarshan or David Dhawan decide to remake (read massacre) this movie. Imagine Salman doing a Farooq Sheikh and Katrina Kaif trying to play the gaon ki ladki Deepti Naval. Sigh.

6. Saw Close Up Antakshari on Star One today. Must have seen this after almost 7-8 years. This was a special on school children from different zones. Not a single song sung in the entire show was from before the year 2000. I guess nowadays on TV the old classics comprise the songs from 95-2000. Gosh I feel old. Is it just me or are all TV shows a lot more flashier, increasingly superficial, way way more melodramatic, way way more over the top and completely crazier than before.

7. These days weekday evenings are spent driving around parts of Long Islands and trips to different malls. I have realized the side effects of getting a car. More time on hand, so more trips to malls, so means spending more on stuff that otherwise you wouldn't have spent on. Miscellaneous Expenditure multiplication.

That is all for now.

Kricket with Karan !!!!

1. India lose yet again !!!!

In the era where teams pick 6 batsmen, a batsman wicketkeeper and 4 bowlers who can bat a bit (all of whom can field) , we have picked a team with 4 batsmen out of which 3 are in their 30s, 2 wicketkeepers who are not batting at all and 5 bowlers who wouldnt know the difference between a bat and a hockey stick (the only fielding they are capable for is fielding for ads). Bravo team India!!!!

I think Ganguly needs to re-re-invent himself for the one dayers. In the past he has been responsible for so many wonderful attacking knocks, he still holds a spot in the Indian test team but on his current slow batting he wouldnt make it to a Chunabhatti 11. While other teams attack in the first 20 overs, Ganguly grinds himself in and then gets out just when you most need him. Singles are a luxury this Maharaja cannot afford, running is for the common people.

His opening partner is Sachin Tendulkar, no longer the player he was in his prime and yet for the past 2 months has done most of the scoring for team India; albeit at a relatively slower pace than before. This pair is followed by Dinesh Karthik, definitely not a sight that would scare a bowler anywhere in the world.

Then there is Dhoni, a player who on his day can destroy most attacks. But there is a huge catch. He does it only on the subcontinental pitches where he can whip any ball way into the stands. I havent yet seen an innings of note from him in a one dayer on foriegn soil. Not West Indies, nor South Africa and definitely not in England. The Aussies will be waiting in glee. Yet for the selectors, the team management and the public he remains their hero. A hero at home a zero abroad I must say.

That leads to the bowlers. The less I say about the fast bowlers the better. They bowled extremely well in the test matches but here, they dont have a clue as to where they should be bowling or should I say spraying the ball.

As for the fielding, ahh the fielding. Well what do I say about that. Last I heard, the English batsmen dont even try to play into gaps anymore. The hit it straight to the fielder, go to the pavilion, have some tea and come back to complete the single. The only run out the Indian team managed so far was when someone put some chat masala in Collingwood's tea and he had to make an extended rest room call before he could come back and complete the single. By that time RP had miraculously managed to flick the ball towards Dhoni on the 10th attenpt (he was trying to throw it to the bowler but got Dhoni instead) and got him run out by a whisker.

Phew, thats that for Cricket. As for the Bollywood news,


2. Koffeeeeeeee

I managed to watch KWK on Sunday for the sole reason that Deepika Padukone was supposed to feature in it. However most of the show was dedicated to SRK and Farah Khan. It was like a bunch of gossipy American school girls talking to each other like BFFs would (Best Friends Forever). Mutual admiration society of mutually admiring mutual admirers. Yappity yappity yap. Both have been on the show a thousand times before, sometimes I think they should rename the show to KWKSF (Koffee with Karan beta, SRK uncle and Farah aunty), where these three meet each other every week, praise each other and talk about each others movies. All in English of course, the language of the Indian masses.

But then the torture was probably worth it cause at the end of the show, a gorgeous Deepika walked in wearing a stunning red evening dress.

Thats all for this post.

About Presidents, Coaches, Summer Parties and SRK

1. SRK

Just read somewhere that SRK is the new BRAND AMBASADOR for Emami's Fairness Cream - Fair and Handsome. Click here. Need I say more.

Here's what a critic had to say on SRK's performance in KANK that I thought was really funny yet spot on :p

"For those of us who've been hoping for a new and improved SRK, this isn't the film. Shah Rukh hams supreme, scowling and smirking seemingly in slow motion, each facial twitch exaggerated to painful proportions. From heavy breathing to simpering, breathless sobs to caricatured anger, KANK provides a virtual gallery of Khan at his most over-the-top, with the actor's emphasis making the most derivative 'American' lines very painful indeed."

2. Bloomberg Summer Party

If there is one event that I look forward to every summer, its the Bloomberg Annual Summer Party. Food, drinks and fun unlimited. Tried my hand at lawn chess (yup lawn chess, the chess pieces were each 3 feet high and u had to walk on the chess board to play).

3. Coach Kaun Banega

The news is that Zee TV and BCCI are planning on holding a reality show called Coach Kaun Banega based on American Idol. Contestants will undergo rigorous qualifying rounds in front of a panel of judges that include Niranjan Shah (Paula), Sunny Gavaskar(Simon) and Sharad Pawar(Randy). Votes coming in may be counted but final decision rests solely on the three stooges, oops I mean judges.

The winner gets the job of the Indian coach. Perks include being ridiculed and bullied and blamed for all of BCCI follies and any cricketer attitude problems. Lucky losers get to go home to less lucrative but peaceful coaching jobs.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Coach baaki sab Sikandar

4. President Kaun Banega

Rival network Sony is planning on holding a competition to choose the next President of India. There is but a single judge, Sonia Gandhi. Whoever manages to impress Sonia jee the most gets the job.

This is roughly based on the Apprentice. Some of the tasks include lying prostate at Sonia's feet, learning Italian, doing the grocery and baby sitting Rahul and Priyanka.

The winner gets the post of the Prez, the loser gets his self respect back. After every round, Sonia jee will announce in Italian Hindi, "Ab Tumhay Fire Key-YA Jaayega !!!!"

Thats All for Now.

Some of the Things That Irritate me

This is based on the "These are a few of my favorite things" song from the movie "Sound Of Music".

Verizon fiber optics and Cable with no Vision
Shah Rukh over acting and Koffee with Karan
Saas bahu serials and TV shows gone real
These are a few of the most irritating things

Selection of cricket coaches and an apartment with roaches
C graded phillums and sweet sour chicken
crazy campin neighbours and drink drivin beamers
These are a few of the most irritating things

Sonia speaks no Hindi and Advani's a Sindhi
wierd crazy Lefties and corrupt politician hefties
crazy terrorists with guns and Priyadarshan movies r no fun
These are a few of the most irritating things

awesome online dealers and furniture late delivered
emotional teary melodramas and john needs a barber
Rakhi's wild gyration and Sallu's wearing no shirt
These are a few of the most irritating things

when indian wkts fall
when the cable walas call
when srk over talks

I simply tear out my favorite things and then I feel worse.

My World This Week

1. Ford rejects BCCI offer. Lolz. I have never seen a world sporting body shoot itself in the foot over and over again. Maybe thats because they have a billion feet to shoot at. Hail Lord Gavaskar, for getting John Emburey with zero coaching credentials as the second candidate for the coaching job. What would Indian cricket be without Sunny!!!

2. The Asians beat the Africans in the Asia-Africa cup. This enthralling event was keenly watched by a total of 4 useless officials, 3 bored spectators, 2 chatty gate keepers and 1 excited Pomeranian puppy. We later heard the Pomeranian was owned by Dhoni who was playing in the match.

Well at least for the world cup, we had over 10 bored spectators and a little over 100 meddling officials. (Unfortunately the poor Pomeranian didn’t get a visa)

3. Whoever comes up with a name like "Fool & Final" for a movie deserves a Gold Medal for creativity. Not only have that, Ahmed bhai managed to convince the entire film industry to act in his movie. This coming from a guy whose directorial debut would have won a Razzie award in the worst film category.

4. Saw "At World's End" and "Oceans 13" back to back. Just as the first one took away my belief that part 3 of a movie franchise could be any good, the later brought it crashing back. Ocean’s 13 is a classy movie, though Catherine Zeta Jones was definitely missed. POTC 3 though had an awesome climactic battle in the midst of a maelstrom. This covered up a little for the convoluted plot of the first hour.

5. Also went to the "Top of The Rock", one of the lesser known landmarks in NYC. Its the top of the Rockefeller Center and offers a panoramic view of Manhattan as breath-taking as from the top of the Empire State.

6. Life in a Metro had some great reviews. Its definitely a well edited and directed movie. But it deserves negative points for having lifted its entire Kay-kay, Kangana and Sharman Joshi sub plot from a classic Jack Lemmon movie called "The Apartment". Irrfan Khan and Konkana offer the comic relief while Shilpa and Kangana look pretty.

Ek Chaalis ki Last Local has a promising premise but loses the plot after a while.

7.

Coach handbag designed by the world's best - $3000
Versace evening Dress - $8000
Partying all Night at Tao's in Vegas - $7000
Brand New Porsche Car - Free (Gift from Rich Dad)
Hotel Stay around the world - Free (Grandfather owns Hotel Chain)

Look on Face when dragged to jail for drunk driving on suspended license - Priceless

- Jokes aside ... Paris is serving a jail sentence for driving on suspended license ... but Sallu, Puru and the rich stupid dude with a BMW walk free for crimes much worse।

Of Cricket and Camping in the Catskills

A lot has changed since the last and the only blog that i have ever written. Hopefully I should be able to devote more time to blogging.

1. Sports Update

The World Cup came and went and the world hardly noticed. Maybe it was because India and Pakistan decided to kick themselves on the foot or maybe it was because the Aussies are just too damned good or maybe its because there is just too much of inconsequential cricket matches going on. So much so that when the real deal comes along, it fails to generate any interest. Does anyone remember the tri-series in Malaysia or even the mini world cup played just 4 months before the WC. At the end of the debacle, the Aussies were unbeaten, the Sri Lankans were brave, the Indians plain lazy while the Pakis couldn't wait to go home. The Brits, the Springboks and the Kiwis just didnt have enough talent to challenge the Aussies. Maybe we should just change the format, and let the Aussies just play the best of the rest.



2. India's busy schedule

You have to hand it to the BCCI. They should probably be nominated for the greediest organisation in the history of sports. India were supposed to come back from the WC in April (maybe that's why they lost and came home early), play Bangladesh in May, go to Ireland and play the South Africans and the Irish before going to England for a test and ODI series. Then they come back to face the Aussies for 7 one dayers and a 20-20 before some players go play the inaugural 20-20 WC. And come back to face Pakistan for a test/ODI series followed by a trip down under to play the Aussies. All within 6 months. In between some players have been selected to play the Afro-Asia cup that no one really likes. No wonder it feels like the Indian team is just going thru the motions most of the time. Hats off to you Mister Modi and Mister Pawar.


3. Summer Camping

Tried out something different this summer. We went camping in the Catskills for the long weekend. It wasn't the first time for me, had learnt it the hard way when I went camping in the Adirondacks and under-estimated the cold weather. In the end, I had to spend the night shivering in the car. Well this time around was a lot more prepared, loaded with torch lights, lamps and a whole array of warm clothing. A-Z of camping rules that I learnt

a) Choose a non rocky ground to put up the tent.

b) A huge rock works as good as a hammer, just watch those fingers though.

c) don't be shy with the firewood (punekars, please avoid the stingyness in at least this respect)

d) make sure to carry something like a broom instead of old navy caps, to sweep the tent

e) make sure there is a walmart and a dunkin within 10 miles of the campsite

f) make sure ur fellow campers dont snore and if they do, just throw them out :p

g) take along a bright light ... or you can forget playing cards

h) sweet corn cobs rock

i) so do hot roasted camp-fired potatoes

j) no keeping watches in pockets ...

k) swimming in cold lakes super rocks, especially with the ambience

l) never order sweet n sour chicken in a chinese restaurant .....

m) confused ducks make for good photography

n) make sure you take along a guy with an SLR to capture the best pics especially if you are currently active on shaadi dot com .... better if you can make SLR guy click some of your pics too

o) make sure your eyes are used to seeing a helluva greenery in two days otherwise wilderness can be irritating, same goes for lakes .... after a while they all look the same

p) make sure you dont take along a guy who's trying his charm on a girl in India otherwise, you are one person short while building up the tent

q) make sure the guy who didnt help with the tent sleeps outside the tent .... bonus points if its the same guy who snores

r) no floroscent green shirts especially if you claim you are straight ... scares your fellow tentmates

s) but then sometimes the floroscent green helps when the battery dies down

t) black is nice (south lake); so are horses (Tillson)

u) hope your wife does not read point t

v) insect repellant can also serve as effective feet deodrants

w) dont forget the maps esp if your car does not have GPS

x) rain and wind act as a good catalyst for campfires

y) avoid GW Bridge at all costs ... unless getting caught in traffic for miles is your idea of fun

and finally

z) watch out for gender confused voodoo practising camping neighbours who are irritated at you with the noise that you made and the smoke that you blew in their general direction when making desperate attempts at lighting your first campfire.

Thats it for now ... will be back with some edits and new posts soon.