The Indignant Cyclist

When I wanted to start riding my cycle to office again, my mom was very hesitant. As a concerned parent, she was worried about letting me on the main roads in heavy traffic.

Me, I was hesitant too. Not because of the traffic, not because of the weather, not even because of the way people drive with total disregard to the traffic rules. I was hesitant because of “some” testosterone-filled creatures who call themselves men and who jeer at us, just because they can. (No generalisation, guys. I’m talking only about those guys who do)

Today was only my 1^st day and I already went through 2 such instances. I really don’t understand who gave them the right to look and comment and whiz past us with a smirk. If you had so much guts, you would say it on the face. Would it kill you to pass by a girl and not say anything? If a guy was punched every time he dared something demeaning like this, we would have a lot of swollen faces around. This kind of behaviour truly gets to me. Kudos to the regular two-wheeler commuters who put up with this nonsense everyday. 

On the other hand are the other people on the road who have no respect for cyclists. We are people too, with a body that can bleed if injured. No one cares if we ring the bell; No one cares if it’s a cyclist on their side, they just swerve according to their wish. And if they had to brake, they look at us accusingly as though we are to be blamed for the choice of this vehicle. 

Well, excuse me for having some concern about my fitness and about the environment!

The four-wheelers don’t care about the two-wheelers, the two-wheelers don’t care about the cyclists and the pedestrians don’t care about any of the above. Well next time, when you take your vehicle please remember, if it has a minimum of two wheels it means a person is riding/driving it and if there is a person, he/she deserves respect.

The woes of keeping it curved.

Ever thought 2 white threads could hurt you? That too every once in 15 days… and that pain is practically unavoidable for every woman (and from what I hear even some guys :P ) Girls, if you haven’t guessed already, yeah, I am talking about the feat of getting our eyebrows shaped every month.

So what did you think this article was about? Oh no, I was just talking about our eyebrows.

If there is one thing I dread and I see my face with rising panic every last week of the month, and think to myself “Oh crap!”, it’s the realization that it’s time to go back to that ill-fated place again. I swear to god, every woman who performs the act on another is just venting the same pain that she underwent to the rest of the world. I haven’t ever wanted to punch someone so bad. Those 5 mins of clenched teeth and squeezed eyes, that’s the time I question God, why even he is a chauvinist, having imposed this necessary evil only on us women. Well ladies, Karma truly does exist. 

Guys who read this and feel this is a load of bull, try it once and your respect for womankind will rise tenfold. Or watch the episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S in which Joey tries to get his eyebrows done. Then you’ll know! :P

And girls, please just tell me a place where they do it like Chandler does to Joey! :’(

Queen. Kickass all the way!

Kangna Ranaut is kickass. That was the first thing that occurred to me when Queen got over. What acting… Just kickass.

I saw Queen last night. And I went to sleep with a smile…

I think it’s appropriate when I say that the movies we watch have set our expectations for love. That’s the first place we have ever seen a boy and girl fall in love. It has been our haven when we had our 1^st crush. We have always wanted our love story to be as sweet and romantic as those on-screen. These movies have managed to convince us, that only when you find your love, your soul mate, life is meaningful. These movies that we watch have always only glorified love. And if there ever is a heartbreak, it always ends in a happily ever after that has the hero back with the heroine, or with the protagonist finding love in another person. Not that it is wrong, and that is probably the way of life too, but has any movie ever shown us that it is okay, if not great to be alone? That it is okay to find solace in oneself…and not crib about not having a partner to end the day with?

Enter Queen!

We have seen a LOT of movies that tells the guy it is okay to move on – from yesteryear’s “Kamban yemandhan”, and “Oru doctor ponnu no sonna, nurse ponnakaadhali” to today’s “Machi, indha ponnungle ipdi dhan da”*, it is always the guy who meets with the heartbreak and who is advised to move on. What about us girls? We meet some assholes** too. It was like a breath of fresh air to watch an Indian movie that said, “Vijay nahi hai toh kya? Lakshmi toh hai” TO A GIRL.

Yes, it’s a tribute to every girl who got dumped by an asshole boyfriend for no reason. It’s a lesson to every guy who gives lame excuses like, “I’ve changed/you have changed. This won’t work. We can still be friends” to break up with a girl, just so he can have his peace of mind when he goes to sleep. It’s also a lesson to every girl who thinks she doesn’t have a life apart from her boyfriend.

Anyway, talking about the movie as such, the whole movie was carried on by Kangna on her shoulders and boy, has she carried it off. The way Rani, the timid and innocent girl from Rijoli takes on the world alone is so awe-inspiring. We feel sorry for her, we cry with her, we laugh at her ramblings when she gets drunk, but through most of the movie, we cheer for her when she sheds her thoughts about Vijay behind and decides that she has a life of her own too. There were a lot of notable scenes in which the movie has so subtly documented the girl’s process of letting go and realizing that it is okay to stop missing the person, to stop crying for a guy who is not worth it and to start living. The transition is so fluid…so natural.

In any other film, you might have seen a potential new love character as the knight in shining armour to save Rani when her handbag is about to be stolen in a foreign country. But no, as it would happen to most girls in real life, no one turns up! Rani holds on to the bag for life and screams until he lets go. Though the incident scares her at first, she later feels good about fighting him off herself. Also, the friendships that Rani makes on the way is also not shown to be permanent or “for life” as most movies depict. As it happens in real life, we make friends as we enter new phases of our lives, they become an important part of our life but we also do not stop right there. Life goes on… and it is okay.

There were a lot of scenes that were subtle, but significant. For instance, the one in which she remembers how Vijay got pissed with her for dancing in public. I think I speak for every girl who watched the movie, when I say we cheered for Rani when she starts dancing in the club with renewed conviction when she suddenly remembers that incident. I think the best scene for me was when she hugs Vijay in the end and says “Thank you” and she means it.Personally I think that’s the best slap-in-the-face moment for such a guy.

The movie does not end with the entry of a new love interest. Yes, she would probably find someone eventually but that’s not what the story is about. It does have a happily ever after but that happily ever after does not depend on any other person. This movie is only about Rani, and her changing perspective of life.

The best part about the film is, it doesn’t judge. It doesn’t give any verdict about who or what is right. It purely narrates Rani’s story, and leaves it to the audience to their respective takeaways from the movie.

As a story and as a movie this has struck all the right chords. Without a duet, without a love interest, without a hero, this movie has managed to entertain, and Kangna is one of the main reasons for that. In today’s cinema, where most heroines are portrayed to be mere brainless love interests for the hero, it was so good to watch a movie that portrayed a girl, with a mind of her own. Yeah there is no male lead but we don’t miss his presence, and that statement coming from a female viewer is definitely something. ;)

*- Famous Tamil slang dialogs that mean to say, girls have the tendency to break hearts and so it’s better to move on.

**- I swear I tried my best, but I could not find a more appropriate word than asshole to fit the context.

Vanakkam Chennai – A pleasant but predictable 2 and half hours.

It’s been a really long time since I reviewed a movie. This time, I’m back – with Vanakkam Chennai, starring Mirchi Siva, Priya Anand and Santhanam.

The story at a glance...

Ajay (Siva) is an MSC gold medallist (I know what you’re thinking, lol) from Theni. He gets a successful job in Chennai and moves there after renting an apartment. Anjali (Priya Anand) is an aspiring photographer from London who wants to come to India, Chennai especially to capture the colourful shades of the country through her lens. She reaches Chennai and hires a cab from the airport back home. It turns out Anjali and Ajay got duped by the crook Narayana (Santhanam), the guy who acted as the house owner and leased the place illegally to both of them. They go to the police to try and find a way out of the situation but due to various factors, they end up sharing the apartment posing as husband and wife to their neighbours and friends. As fate would have it, the hero falls for the girl. But there is one problem. Yes, you are right. The London maapillai, as always! How Ajay captures Anjali’s heart with the help of Narayana is the rest of the movie!

The screenplay is highly predictable, as this formula has been shown on screen, a zillion times. This time is no different except for the actors. But VC is not as boring as it is predictable. There are enough good dialogs and songs to keep you hooked.

The love story is not overly dramatic, or stupidly cinematic. It is believable. The leads don’t take one look at each other and start singing duets in foreign location in the next shot. Gradually, after spending enough time together, they realise their feelings for each other. It also felt good to see some intelligent people on screen. But yeah, it was almost funny that Siva was a gold medallist, it felt like a spoof in itself! ;) And even though Anjali dangerously seemed to resemble the childish and immature “Ha ha Hasini” at times, she seemed to know her business. They way she took on the crude cab driver was not only commercially valid (there was raucous applause as he switched songs), it also showed that the heroine is not always a damsel in distress. She is quite capable of taking care of herself.

 The songs were fresh and peppy and beautiful to the eyes. Priya Anand looked stunning in whatever she wore. I, personally, loved the choreography of “Oh pennae”. The illusion-based song was very new and lovely to watch. “Osaka Osaka” was beautiful, with the plush green scenery all around. But I was in splits watching Siva dance for the number. I mean seriously, it was Udhayanidhi stalin’s “Venam machan venam” all over again! Siva’s usual poker-faced dialog delivery was hilarious at places, like the injury caused by an aeroplane wing (the way he so seriously tells it... haha!) and the sequence at the pawn shop. Santhanam struts into the movie with his usual slapstick one-liners. But I loved the scenes in which he shows the bridal prospects’ photos to Siva and the horror movie sequence – “Ellarum pei kaga dhan waiting”

I could understand that Siva has done his best to put his comedian cap aside, but one look at his face and you can’t help laughing out loud, especially in all the “serious” scenes. It felt like a spoof of romantic movies! It was sure refreshing to see a traditional mother from Theni, not questioning her son when he brings a half-clad girl home without warning. I mean I welcome such kind of broad-mindedness but let’s get real here! Also, why should there always be a London maapillai? We know he is not gonna get the girl... that part was just too cliché. Veteran actors like Nasser, Manobala and Oorvashi could have been given more screen space. It just seemed unnecessary to cast an actor like Nasser in a role not lasting even 3 full minutes.  The story seemed too familiar at places, resembling especially “What happens in Vegas” and “Azhagiya theeye”. Even some scenes were copied like the place where they both dump each other’s clothes alternatively. (Remember Rachel moving out of Monica’s apartment in “F.R.I.E.N.D.S”?).

Even though logic took a serious hit at many places, VC was a fresh, pleasant and funny movie that’s surely worth a watch. It’s been a long time since we saw a light-hearted romantic comedy and I would recommend you all to take a chance with VC. You’ll probably exit the theatre humming “Oh pennae”.

There are some movies that you can sit and analyse and criticize and list all the things that went wrong. And there are movies like Vanakkam Chennai. Don’t think, just watch!

Review - My EX Fell In Love

Name of the book: My EX Fell In Love

Author: Shubham Choudhry

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Storyline: Yatharth, a seemingly studious teenager falls in love for the first time and finds himself in a predictable situation of having to choose between his love life and his career. This is the story of Yatharth trying to find his way around life along with his besties, the hilarious Vikalp and Sudeep.

Bottomline: Just the kind of light-hearted book that you would like to snuggle into for some hours...

                “My EX Fell In Love” – That’s the story right there! This intriguing title sure makes a person want to try the book to see what waits inside the pages. Any person who has read the book would tell you that you are in for a fun ride, many parts of which you will be able to relate with your own life. The story in a nutshell is this – Yatharth, a college student falls in love with the pretty and sweet Sanchitha, who takes life seriously. Everything seems to be going well until our hero finds himself unable to balance his love life and his career and decides to “take a break”. Little did he expect Mr. Perfect Raunak to swoop in on his first love immediately as soon as they broke up. Yatharth tries to move on but love works in mysterious ways, right? ;) How Yatharth finally listens to his heart and how his friends Vikalp and Sudeep help him (or do they?) along the way is the story of “My EX Fell In Love”.

                The first few pages are a little dry as you wait for the story to pick up pace. If you are patient enough, let me tell you it is worth the wait. The pluses about this story are, you feel like you know these characters. Your first love may mirror Yatharth’s. Sometime in all of our lives, we would have found ourselves in a sticky situation, unable to choose between our love and career and that’s exactly what the protagonist deals with too. The book makes you wish you have a friend like Vikalp to make you laugh in the most serious of situations. That’s the kind of atmosphere this book creates. You travel along with the characters and start rooting for Yatharth and Sanchita. The light hearted comedy brings a smile on your face and some of the twists and Vikalp’s PJs are hilarious.

                Coming to the minuses, the romance portion of the book could have been a little more...romantic! ;) Also, the beginning few pages should also have been more interesting as the random reader may decide the nature of the book based on them. Humour, in some places (especially in the beginning) seemed a little wannabe and it could have been more real.

                All in all, surely the kind of book that would be great company that you long for when you are bored. This book will leave you with a smile as you close it, and the characters do stay with you long after you are done. Do try the book; I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!

                Finally I just wanted to add, being the proofreader of ‘My EX Fell In Love” was an unforgettable experience. It was a fun-filled on year of my life and I owe a lot to Shubham for giving me this opportunity. You discover a lot about yourself and many things in life when you see/do something creative and it felt good. Shubham is an excellent writer (read some of his articles in his blog and you’ll know what I mean). I know (at least a little of) what he has been through in order to bring out this book. It is no small feat to publish a book when you are 21. Proud of you! J Kudos to a great writer and person...  

Buy the book in - http://www.flipkart.com/my-ex-fell-love/product-reviews/ITMDEZF4EEFWNN8H?pid=9789382473022

Celebrate GREEN DIWALI

RE-THINKING THE PURPOSE OF DIWALI...

Diwali is just round the corner.. Diwali is always synonymous with festivity and firecrackers. Many feel there is no diwali without firecrackers.. Though there are many reasons to enjoy and smile due to crackers, there is also the other side filled with worries and darkness. For one child, Diwali is something to look forward to... a day in which he can enjoy to the maximum with his friends by having sweet, bursting crackers, etc. Another is indifferent to the same, as he spends the whole year making crackers for other similar aged children, for the same day.

Why this difference?

 I am sure all of us are aware of the ill-effects of crackers. It gives rise to,
1. Child labour (it is very disheartening to see videos of children working in illegal firecracker units in Sivakasi for a mere wage of Rs.20 per day)
2. Various accidents leading to loss of life and property
3. Air pollution leading to various skin and lung diseases
4. Abominable sound pollution
5. Literally burning hard-earned money...

IS THIS THE REAL PURPOSE BEHIND CELEBRATING DIWALI?
ARE THE GODS GOING TO BLESS YOU FOR THIS?

It's high time we all give some time to re-think the purpose of diwali. It is the day of celebration of good over evil. But aren't we doing just the opposite? It is not impossible to celebrate diwali without crackers. I haven't bought crackers in 6 years.
This Diwali, honour a good cause. Visit an orphanage; spend some time with the kids and I am sure that will give you a feeling of contentment, much better than that you get out of crackers!!
 SPREAD HAPPINESS, NOT PAIN AND POLLUTION!
 BURN EVIL THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS, NOT FIRECRACKERS!
CELEBRATE GREEN DIWALI! :)

A Morning spent to "Save the Globe"

To go to bed feeling completely satisfied with one’s day is very rare… I experienced that rare feeling last night. The reason: I had spent the previous morning participating in a plastic awareness campaign conducted by a non-governmental organization called “Save the Globe” organized by a group of youngsters. I have always been very passionate about avoiding, or at least reducing the amount of plastic covers used by people. But all I had been doing about it was shouting myself hoarse to the people who disagreed with me. And boy, they were many! But yesterday morning I actually got the chance to participate in a campaign that involved some action!

We split ourselves into teams and explained to the general public, the harmfulness of using plastic covers (especially the dyed ones, whose thickness is below 20 microns). We told them it would take around 1000 years or more for it to decay, by which time it would have hindered the growth of many trees by getting tangled in the roots. We also asked them to sign a declaration form which said that they would avoid or at least reduce the amount of covers used by them every day. True, some of them were skeptic; they said that we have reached a point where it was impossible to live without plastic covers. Maybe it is true, but we can at least RE-USE, if not reduce. Use the same covers again and again; don’t bring new covers into use! Always carry a cloth bag with you in your handbag or vehicle whenever you go out so that you need not ask for a carry bag.

Some people signed the forms with enthusiasm while others seemed reluctant. Whether they felt either, we could at least show them that we youngsters were ready to DO SOMETHING instead of just talking about it. We were serious enough to give the people cloth bags and saplings for free. I just hope that some of our seriousness had rubbed off on them!!!

A note to the people reading this: Let’s not hinder, if not help make the Earth a better place to live in! In other words, “Udhavi pannalenaalum, ubadhruvam pannama irupom!” Please take into account the alternate methods given above. Our ancestors gave us a nice, pure environment. Is it not our responsibility to give to our grandchildren, at least half of what we are enjoying today?
Take a resolution right now… Promise yourself that you will at least reduce the amount of plastic covers used every day. Go immediately and keep a cloth bag in your vehicle or hand bag this instant. Use that whenever you go out. Don’t think of it as an obligation. Just as we try to keep our homes clean always, we should try to keep our Earth clean too. After all, that is our real home, don’t you think?