India in all its Glory!!

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If you ever had any doubts about the rich diversity of India, the cuisines, the languages, the cultures - this one is for you. A single snapshot of why one can tour India all their lives and yet never get bored....
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Ek rahe Eer, ek rahe biir, ek rahe phatte aur ek rahein hum!!

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Let me tell you a very interesting story. When I was in Ahmedabad, my parents went and got a glass bowl with 3 gold fish in them. We decided to name them Eer, Biir and Phatte…after the song sang by Amitabh Bachchan. Eer, Biir, Phatte lived a great life – they would swim around all day and be fed yummy food (well ok, fish food)!

Then one fateful day, my mom came down from her room in the morning and found Biir floating on the water. We said a prayer and laid our lil pet to rest. Eer and Phatte continued to play with each other and live happily.

Then came the summer vacations when we had to make our annual pilgrimage to Delhi. Eer and Phatte were reluctantly handed over to our neighbors who promised to take care of them…alas, when we came back, only Phatte was to be found. Eer had left us too.

Phatte would swim around dejectedly and we just couldn’t take it anymore. So we went and got 2 more fish for its company and named them Heer and Ranjha. Heer – Ranjha made friends with Phatte quite fast and spent many a days frolicking around.

One fine day, my dad decided to give the glass bowl a wash. He gently put Phatte in the water jug followed by Ranjha. Unfortunately, my dear dad forgot (how though I don’t understand with it swimming under his nose) that Heer was left and there Heer went, down the drain (literally). I console myself with the thought that Heer must have gone on to live the life of the queen of the underground – with her looks, it wasn’t far fetched.

Nevertheless, there we were, left with our final 2 fish.

Imagine trying to explain to people why we had 2 goldfish called Phatte and Ranjha!!!

"Wake up Sid" Reviewed

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Just got back from the hall and been wanting to review it asap. Finally a breath of fresh air. If you go back to my review of Jaane Tu Yaan Jaane Na, you will see that I mentioned thats its tough watching a film like this and not liking it. Somethings are just not made to be disliked...

Wake Up Sid revolves around the life of Sid (Ranbir Kapoor) who literally needs to wake up. A spoilt brat of a rich father, he doesnt see the need to grow up and deal with life. Until he meets Aisha (Konkana), a girl from Kolkata who has moved to Mumbai for the sole purpose of finding her own independence and her own space.

What follows is a predictable yet endearing tale of their lives and how Sid finally finds himself and the person he is.

A light film with a well written crisp script, you wont feel bored for a moment. The characters have been chosen well and each does his/her role justice. Be it Anupam Kher as Sid's dad, his mom, his friends or even the ever-so-hot Rahul Khanna. Each has a small role to play but they dont disappoint. The main leads Konkana and Ranbir do a great job. Konkana is witty in some scenes, sensual in some, exasperated sometimes and naughty in some. She is one of the few actresses I personally like, I truly think she's beautiful. Ranbir is clearly the rising star of bollywood. The camera loves him and he makes even the most mediocre scenes look good. He can do a spoilt boy tantrum with the same panache as an intense almost-lovers argument. He is one to watch out for...

The music of the film is catchy (Shankar - Ehsaan - Loy). Upbeat in parts, romantic and melancholy in some. I especially love the song Iktaara (lyrics at the end of the post).

The movie is a refreshing break from the action flicks coming out these days. Its one which will make you smile. Watch it.

Rating: 3.5 on 5

Paisa Wasool Moment: When Sid and Konkana fall asleep holding each other. Its just for a moment, but a moment that touched my heart....


Lyrics of Iktaara:

"Orey manva tu to bavra hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai bavre
Kyun dikhaye sapne tu sote jaagte

Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
(Nainon ko moond moond)
Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
Kaise main chaloon, dekh na sakoon
Anjaane raastein

(chorous)
Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara, gunjasa hai koi iktara
Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara, gunjasa hai koi iktara
Dheeme bole koi iktara iktara, dheeme bole koi iktara
Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara, gunjasa hai koi iktara

Sun rahi hoon sudh budh khoke koi main kahani
Poori kahani hai kya kise hai pata
Main to kisiki hoke yeh bhi na jaani
Ruth hai ye do pal ki ya rehgi sada
(kise hai pata… kise hai pata)

Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
(Nainon ko moond moond)
Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
Kaise main chaloon, dekh na sakoon
Anjaane raastein

Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara, gunjasa hai koi iktara"

I Can't Think Straight Reviewed

“I Can’t Think Straight” deals with an issue often taboo in most cultures and manages to deal with it without going over the top. Lesbians and Gays have been fighting for their rights and dignity for years now but still there are enough and more societies where they are proclaimed evil and it is treated like a disease or a phase that they are passing through.

It is neither. It is a choice that they choose to exercise. It is the way they have been born. Some people get attracted to thin people, some to tall and some to their own gender.

Unfortunately these views are not shared by most people I come across and it quite explains why it takes a lifetime for someone to come out of the closet. The film deals with 2 women, Lisa Ray who plays an independent fiery girl from Jordan and an Indian Muslim girl Laila. The story takes one through their realization that they are actually gay, their coming to terms with it and finally taking the decision that their happiness is theirs for the taking.

To be frank, most people would at the back of their head know that they are watching the film hoping to see the two hot women making out. But the beauty of the film is that it takes you along into their lives and makes an easy watch. The sensitivity with which the roles have been played out, make it equivalent to cinema like Bend it Like Beckham. Any of the two women could have been replaced with a man and the film would still be as impactful.

Both the leads give good performances. Not award winning but captivating enough. The one thing that struck me in the film is how the fiercely independent woman from Jordan is the one who is ready to live her life in denial as her society wont accept it while the more demure and shy one from India is the first to take a stand and come out clean.

All in all, a good DVD watch. Keep some popcorn handy.

Rating: 3 on 5

Paisa Wasool Moment: In the credits, when Lisa’s mother tells her friend that Lisa is lesbian, the ignorant lady says “So what? Many of my best friends are Lebanese”!!!!

"Wanted" Reviewed - Watch at your own risk.

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Q) What does a certain hero do after he's had a flurry of flops and has reached the point where he doesnt care anymore?

Ans) He decides to go out and have a ball.

And thats what Salman Khan did. Let me guess how this happened. Prabhu Deva (yes the same crazy dancer we all love has turned director) and Salman are sitting over a couple of drinks one night where Salman is cribbing about how he's sick of movies and how he mostly sleep walks through them these days. Prabhu Deva in his drunken state, blurts out "Sallu, why dont I make a movie where you have all the fun you want....you can have as many weapons at your disposal as you wish....dance some random steps that people will later hate me for....say what it is that you want...diss your girl....and have some really funny dialogues to ensure you enjoy on the sets". "But Prabhu, what will you do for money"? "I have that figured out....we'll just get someone like Ayesha Takia to prance around, act dumb and pretend that you're god's gift to mankind"!! And the pact was made. Unfortunately, a pact that even Prabhu Deva couldnt get out of once he sobered up and realised what he had done.

And so, Wanted was born.



I mean, come ON. After something like Kaminey, you give me 'Wanted'?? Let me add as a disclaimer that I was dragged against my wishes to the hall to see this film. With all my logical judgement screaming for me not to. But I guess I had to see it to do this social service of telling the world about it.

So my advice? Dont go. Stay home. Watch TV, water the plants, take the dog for a walk. Just dont go watch this.

Why am I being so judgemental you ask? Well, remember the conversation Prabhu and Sallu had? They actually carried out their threat. The movie is an out and out Salman Khan film where he goes around killing whom he wants (he's a hitman who changes gangs for money). For the most part, he looks old, haggard, pudgy and a little too cocky. Give me the shy Salman from Maine Pyaar Kiya anyday....the one who innocently says corny dialogues like "Dosti ki hai...nibhani to padegi hi"!! Surprisingly, the only scene where I thought he looked hot was when he was fully clothed in a uniform but ofcourse he managed to rip off his shirt within 10 seconds of that.

My anger at the film also went up a couple of notches at the director's obsession with Salman and the complete ignoring of other actors. The movie has some great actors like Vinod Khanna who are so brilliantly wasted that future generations will never be able to guess what good performers they really are.

Ayesha Takia is the reason this movie is a commercial hit. She prances around, pouts when asked to and acts like she's the little dainty bird. Someone needs to give her a good shake and tell her to drop the act! Its a shame though, coz she really did some wonderful work in Dor. She has some help in the get-the-rickshaw-walas-to-the-hall-strategy with the gangster's girl who's only purpose was to wear tiny clothes and say things like "oohhh...I like him".

All of this you get a good dose of in the first half and if you're still awake, you will be highly tempted to walk out. Don't. Now that you have spent money and are watching it, stay for the 2nd half because that really is the saving grace.

The ONLY reason I liked the film was surprisingly the 2 villains. Mahesh Manjrekar plays the sleezy cop so well that you almost want to reach into the screen and slap him. Though the award goes to the big daddy hero - Prakash Raj (playing Gani Bhai). The National Award winner from South India has so much fun in the film that you cant help but have fun with him. His witty quips, dark humor and comic timing make him one of the best villains bollywood has seen in the recent past. If only for him, watch this film.

All in all, get a DVD, watch the first hour on mute for eye candy and skip to the 2nd half for Prakash Raj. Watch at your own risk.

Rating: 1.5 on 5 (with 1 for the villains)

Paisa Wasool Moment: When Gani bhai is being bashed up by the cops and he sudenly says "timeout, lets catch our breath". So both of them sit, catch their breath and then start fighting again!

Canada from the eyes of a Self Confessed Foodie

Canada's national dish - Poutine. Fries drizzled with barbeque sauce and topped with cheese curd


Burger and fries at Mont Tremblanc


Pasta made by me at the cottage


And this is just breakfast!! At Perkins in Ottawa


Huge Italian Sausage Hot Dogs with Poutine


Butter Chicken, biryani, daal, seekh kebab and naan at Lahore Tikka House in Toronto


Fish and Chips at Niagra-On-The-Lake


Rib Eye Steak at Niagra-On-The-Lake. Pure Heaven


Pizza avec fromage et basil; et Penne dans rose sauce in Quebec City


Spagetti Carbonara with Ham in Quebec City


French Crepes being prepared in Toronto topped with Nutella, Strawberries and Banana


Steak With Mushroom Sauce with a GIANT cheesy baked potato at The Keg


Wine tasting at the Vinyards at Niagara-on-the-Lake


The best Tandoori Chicken and Daal Makhani I have ever had!! Cooked by D&R

Fpriderman...fpiderman.....Kaminey Reviewed!!

There are movies that are nice and sweet …like a lullaby. And there are movies which give you a good shake and ask you to hop onto the roller coaster. Kaminey would fall in the latter as would Johhny Gaddar. Not a national award winner, but an entertainer nevertheless.

Kaminey is the story of twin brothers (Shahid Kapur) who have a fall-out. Predictably, one is a gangster and the other works with an NGO on AIDS awareness etc. But this is where the predictability ends. The movie moves through a series of events that are connected in some bizarre way and if you don’t pay attention for five minutes, you may lose the plot. So you strap on your seat belt and race along with the characters, impatient to know where the next scene will take them.

The movie wins on two counts. As everyone is falling over themselves to tell you, it brings to India the Quentin Tarantino style of making movies. Racy, edgy, quick cuts. Hand-held cameras used for many scenes, the camera too close to the character’s face for your comfort, shot mainly in the night, with a lot of rain. It is not cutting edge but it sure cuts through the chase. The movie doesn’t proclaim itself to be a film about Mumbai Mafia, neither is it a thriller. It is a car whose breaks have failed and is swerving into the traffic with you hanging on to your seat.



The second reason why the movie works is the brilliant characterization. There is barely anyone in the film who has not been given a certain character which makes him/her stand apart. Shahid does brilliantly. Sweet in some shots where you want to cuddle him like a teddy bear and rakish in some where he’s the bad guy your mother warned you about! Priyanka also plays her part well – the Marathi fireball, ready to take on the world for her love. But it is the gangsters who each help make this collage beautiful. Bhope Bhau – the crazy wannabe politician who can sell everything from his ideology to his sister, the Bengali brothers, who each look so non gangster like but often collapse into hysterics with a joke only they understand, Tashi – the suave gangster who deals with the Africans and doesn’t dirty his hands with Indian Mafia and my favorite – Mikhail (played by Chandan Roy Sanyal) who is forever doped, crazed out of his wits and treats Charlie (the Gangster Shahid) like his brother.

It isn’t an award winner, it may not even be a box office super duper hit, but Kaminey reminds you somewhat of the joker in Dark Knight…where you are repulsed by his face, you are intrigued by his antics and his dark humor and you just cant wait to get more.

Go watch it!!

Rating: 4 on 5

Paisa Wasool Moment: Charlie singing Spiderman with Mikhail…only that Charlie has a lisp – he says ‘f’ for every ‘s’…so he jumps around singing ‘fpiderman…fpiderman…’

PS – Did I mention I completely LOVE the music...and cant get enough of Dhan te nan....