05-11-‘09

Antagonism to English is groundless.

This refers to the editorial “No Angrezi, Please” (Nov 5). The very idea of one language damaging the other sounds ridiculous. Basically, language is a living entity which thrives and throbs with the culture. In the present globalization, linguistic chauvinism is as anomalous as the insistence to wear a dhoti in a corporate meeting. English, though some may call it a British legacy, is an indispensable aspect of present life. Starting with a toothpaste wrapper to multi-crore business deals, the language has become ubiquitous. Sadly, language policy is now another tool of mass manipulation for the politicians marked with duplicity. How can India, a super power in waiting, afford the aversion to English?

Don’t make a mountain out of molehill.

This refers to the Second Opinion ‘Anthem of anger’ (May 13) by Jug Suraiya. It has become a national phenomenon that in the name of “patriotism”, any trivial issue is turned into a vehement debate. The dust of controversy raised for the song of ‘Rann’ is nearly illogical. The lyrics are poignantly realistic. Current socio-political situation is far more insulting than that song. Thanks to the legal red taps, Ajmal Kasab will be provided with story books! In fact, the terror strike of 26/11 is an epitome of insult to the national honors. The line of demarcation between jingoism and patriotism ought not to be blurred. Jug truly observes that A. R. Rahman created a tidal wave of patriotism with ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’. Rahman’s dazzling achievements manifest his Indian ness. Cynics opposing Rann’s song must take this into consideration. Such protests are not just needless but ironical.

04 July 2009
Gays Deserve Equal Status

With reference to the editorial ‘Victory for Choice’ (July 30), Delhi high court’s path breaking verdict legalizing homosexuality deserves to be applauded with full vigor. A large section of the society still suffers from myriad illusions about homosexuality. Actually, such an act is neither a sin nor a perversion but just a sexual orientation. The guards of “Indian Culture” must realize that being a gay is not an influence of “Western life style”. It need not be associated with religious sentiments. The verdict stringently prohibits child abuse and rape, which indicates that there is no scope of anarchy. Though the scientific fact has got a legal sanction, the wheel of discrimination still revolves in the society. The scorn and ridicule for gays still prevail due to the social stigma. To eradicate homophobia, which is a mammoth task, the government should follow the court by implementing the verdict on a national scale.

09-11-2009
Let’s not make it a land of fatwas.

With reference to ‘Let Vande Mataram bridge the differences’ (Swapan Dasgupta, Nov 8), the hullabaloo over the Vande Mataram issue is not only futile but also ridicules Indian ethnicity. Honoring one’s nation can, by no means, be a violation of any religion. Both the Darul Ulum and the R.S.S. must realize that a song cannot be the sole parameter to one’s patriotism or religious preference. One may sing the national song & then indulge in corruption; similarly a forthright person may avoid singing it. Both spirituality and nationalism are rooted in humanity and righteousness. In a country where a Prasoon Joshi pens a suffi song and a Rahman composes a bhajan for the same album, such a controversy is a national shame. The energy wasted on the issue of the national song could have been utilized for some constructive purpose. We have no dearth of burning issues. It is a paradox that we have included the virtues of ‘Unity in Diversity’ and religious tolerance in the school curriculum; concurrently such fatwas dominate the headlines.

Say No to Anti-progress Policies

This refers to ‘Progress Hatao’ by Jug Suraiya (April 15). The declaration of the Samajwadi party manifesto demonstrates a steady decline in the Indian politics. Where the world is progresses every nanosecond, such politicians head the country towards the Stone Age. By no means, it sounds rational that promoting English and computer literacy is ‘anti-people’. Suraiya aptly identifies the tricks of the trade. Our leaders deliberately keep the mass in oblivion because it is easy to enslave the deprived. It is not enough to sing the glory of ‘young India’. India needs to be freed from the myopic old leaders like Mulayam and others. The voters ought to say ‘No’ to anti-progress policies.

Supreme Court Practices ‘Art for Art’s Sake’

This is with reference to the news "SC: Hussain’s ‘Bharat Mata’ is a work of art" (Sept.09). This elaborate verdict of the Supreme Court is a rude awakening to the opponents of genuine art. I see eye to eye with the court’s logic that the erotic sculptures – indispensable aspects of Indian culture - don’t scandalize people. How can those self-appointed guards of morality overlook that the world’s first scientific tome on human eroticism viz. Vatsayana’s Kama Sutra belongs to the Indian treasure? The burning issues like terrorism, corruption, inflation etc don’t hurt the ‘patriotic’ sentiments of those who are up in arms with Hussain’s allegedly obnoxious painting. I am reminded of Shashi Tharoor’s article, published some time ago, in which he construes the judgment pertaining to Hussain’s creative art. It must be remembered that any branch of aesthetics, be it literature, sculpture or painting can not be denied of its deserved freedom of expression. Supreme Court’s verdict in Hussain’s case is an example of it.

Stop the Talibanization of India
(Published in the Times of India with minor modifications)
This refers to the news ‘Dating on V-Day? Rama Sene will get you married’ (Feb.06). It is ironic that in the largest democracy of the world, a handful of fundamentalists deprive youth from the deserved freedom. It is furthermore more ironic that for their unruly deeds, they misuse the name of Maryada Purushottam Lord Rama. The Mangalore assault, not unexpectedly, has become a ball for the dirty game of the politicians. The declaration of Sri Rama Sene for the V-Day is an insult added to injury. It manifests the attention seeking tendency of this self-styled moral police. If this persists, the day is not so far when a young couple would be stoned to death in the Taliban style. It’s high time now to stop the goondaism under the sophisticated term of ‘culture’.

Stop Haunting Sania
(Sent to the Times of India)
With reference to Sania Mirza’s decision to pull out from the Bangalore Open, I think it is now time to stop tormenting her. Be it the case of her candid remarks on virginity or her alleged insult to the flag, controversy has become her middle name. She falls prey to some fundamentalists day in and day out. The tennis sensation, however, should get attuned to all slanders and impediments on her way to triumph. She must realize that success and controversy, in each arena, always go hand in hand.

By turning Asia’s top tennis player, Sania has proved her mettle. Amidst the clarion calls of ‘Chak De India’, protest again Sania sound jarring. Cynics are kindly requested to spare this Hyderabadi achiever for her natural course of action.

The Feminine Frailty
(M.A. II)
All the views expressed here are entirely mine but they bear resemblance to the whole humankind in general.

Woman- what an ambiguous species gifted by the Omnipotent to the planet! From the times immemorial, ample intellectual giants have endeavored to analyze the female psyche without succeeding. I might be an inheritor to this fruitless striving.

I am cocksure that myriad honest individuals would nod their heads in consent (some inwardly) that the behavior of a woman is supremely unpredictable and out of human comprehension.

‘The Fairer, the Fouler’ has been the case be it the time of the Helen of Troy or the Prince of Denmark or that of Dr. Sigmund Freud or the time of Jay Mehta.

Dr. Sigmund Freud - a genius, who acutely construed each facet of human behavior, puts his pen down when someone shoots him a question on the issue under discussion.

Sometimes it is acknowledged that a female doesn’t know what she, in actuality, wants to do or get, or she may not be revealing it wholly.

A woman, never a ‘weaker sex’, possesses tremendous powers to ‘make or mar one’s life’. That’s why the clichéd expression that there is a woman behind every successful man.

A woman who conceives a man very well conceives that a man is a cripple to her –socially, emotionally and erotically as well. Many Lady Macbeths and Gertrudes exploit this trait for their mean and malign ends. They treat men as puppets to attain egotistic satisfaction.

Simultaneously, many other gentle ladies bring men on the right track. They become a power of success to their men by boosting their morale.

My ultimate point is that the enigma of female psychology is a whirlpool. The more you attempt to interpret it, the deeper you would be sucked.

I would put an end to this article by quoting a massive hit ‘Titanic’,
“The heart of a woman is like an ocean in which many treasures are hidden.”


• Dedicated to my Metaphysical Friend - BRIJESH PUROHIT.

EDUCATION: OF HEAD, HEART AND SOUL
(Elocution Speech - M.A.II - 1st Prize)

First let’s clarify what does education mean? IS it the process of cramming digest answers and vomiting them in three hours? Is it all about passing traditional board and university exams and getting degrees? No way.

I personally believe that education is a process of grooming genuine understanding of life. It aims at preparing a person to face the hard and harsh realities at the crossroads of life. Education must realize one that life is not all about rosy dreams but one has to come across ample troubles and traumas, too.

Education should be equally imparted at three levels:-

HEAD

HEART

SOUL

Or let me categorize it as:-

I.Q.
E.Q.
S.Q. respectively

Unfortunately education has now bee restricted only to the training of the intellect and education of ethical values has become subservient. The focus of education has shifted from human virtues to the ipods and nano technology.

Youngsters rush in flocks to become master of engineering or computer or business administration but none wishes to be a master of kindness and honesty.

Many meritorious people like J. Krishnamurthy, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi etc have observed that the contemporary education system only produces a mass of dumb-founded degree-holders awaiting in ques for the jobs.

Gandhiji refused to walk on the beaten track of school-education for his son Harilal as he believed in the all-inclusive training for life he defines education as an attempt of self-realization.

Let me give you an acute example of the failure of our academic process. The number of educated intelligentsia has increased two-fold but the crime rate zooms four-fold. It is an irony of education that female feticide is a crucial problem of the same state from where Sunita Williams soared to the universe.

My point is that the goal of education must be the culmination of an individual in all spheres of life. That’s what I had to say. Thanks a lot.

Child-Marriage: - A Pathetic Tradition:

(Written in the T.Y.B.A.)

News:-

On the auspicious occasion of AkhaTrij many children were happily united in the villages of Madhya-Pradesh. Moreover, the D.D.O. of the area was brutally assaulted because of her movement against the child-marriages in her area. The only crime (?) of the lady was that she strongly resisted this non-sense action.

Views:-
What a shocking news! Unfortunately India still lives in a period of cultural decline and stagnation. At one side we have recently launched world’s first education –based satellite and on the other side thousands of children have entered that marriage-life about which they know nothing. The so-called Patriots attacking western-culture every now and then are mute in this case.

Since the time of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, many efforts were put to curb this idiotic system, but all in vain. Even Mahatma Gandhiji wrote in his autobiography,

“I get perplexed when I notice that I was married at the age of thirteen!”

People have knowingly confined themselves into a small circle of rigid and orthodox traditions. To improve the society we have sent many representatives in the parliament. But, alas! They can’t do this because by that, they don’t get the bundles of notes!

For this conduct, everyone who is in powers is responsible starting from the collector to C.M. But we can’t blame only them because they have come from the same Indian people. It is furthermore shocking that the N.G.O.s, political or semi-political parties do not utter a word. They behave like three monkeys of Gandhiji! Such incidents give deep shock to the efforts and vision of Dr. Kalam to behold a developed India in 2020 A.D.

At last, I want to ask one ‘Yaksha-Prashna’ to all:-
Should India be proud of the N.R.I.s working in NASA or of these mindless and sheep-like Indians still actively performing child-marriages? Can anyone answer?

Utility of Religion and Spirituality in Personality Development
(Elocution Speech - Excel Expression 2007)

Respected judges, dignitaries and dear friends. Today I am here to discuss the utilitarian aspects of religion and spirituality for developing one’s personality.

A very narrow notion regarding personality is that it is one’s look, his outfits and style etc but the actual personality is made up of one’s thoughts, feelings and attitudes towards life. It is the way one copes with the troubles and traumas. This is expressed in his behavior. That behavior should be colored and covered by spirituality or religion.

But what is spirituality? First, let’s see what not spirituality is. Some people frequently ruin the gift and card shops for guarding the culture. Is it religion? No, way.

I think the real religion creates devoted love for the Omnipotent, the Omnipresent and His creation. I.e. human beings. On top of that, it teaches us how to implement the moral ethos in daily life.


People often give much priority to sect and institutions rather than the god Himself but religion says, “Refuse all models and go alone. Dare to love god without any mediator.”

In every crisis, people rush in flocks to the Swamijis and Babas. This is nothing but a futile personality cult. Science has proven that the human brain possesses unthinkable powers and that’s what religion shows.

It convinces that a person must be self-reliant because every individual has infinite resources at his command. A very effective way to utilize spirituality in developing our personality is through the renunciation of all standards and laws externally imposed. At this point I am tempted to recount the words of the American transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson,

“No law can be sacred to me but that of my own nature. The only right is what is after my constitution, the only wrong what is against it.”

One’s personality is how he deals with others and whether his mindset is broad, narrow or balanced.

Some people may doubt if spirituality can help in day to day life. Yes, it does influence our personality because often we are in Arjun-like dilemma where we have to battle with our own weaknesses. But it would be very easy only if we follo0w what Lord-Krishna taught him in the second chapter of Srimad Bhagwad-Geeta. He challenges Arjun,

“Hato va Prapyasi Swargam, Jitwa Va Bhokshyase Mahim;

Tasmaad Utishtha Kaunteya, Yuddhaay Krut Nishchaya."

The crux of human personality is love –one of the most interesting tenets of any religion.

Love for the humankind is very crucial today because every now and then the world has to face wars. After all, everyone is in a small way the image of God. An individual is much more superior to the orthodox temples and Churches.

Thus, a personality benefited by religion is on which never follows anyone like a sheep taking everything for granted. Henry David Thoreau correctly writes,

“No way of thinking or doing, however ancient can be trusted without proof.”

One need not alter the course of his life only because society is not convinced.

The most perfect example of religion’s role in human personality is Swami Vivekananda – spirituality personified. He himself first denied the existence of the Ultimate force. To convince him was a hard nut to crack for Ramakrishna. Dr.Kalam writes in ‘Wings of Fire’ that since childhood his personality is influenced by Gita and Quran.


Recently many classes have mushroomed with money back guarantee for developing terrific personality but the master-key is spirituality. It is said that a man without religion is like a horse without a bridle. That’s what we all must look forward for.

Articles:-

Religion And Politics
(Elocution Speech at UG level - 1st Rank)
Dear friends, my topic is 'religion and politics' – the most safe and secure shelter for any kind of criminal activities. One can do anything of his wish if he has the shield of religion or politics.

Politicians always keep us conscious about our religion. They remember people’s intense religious feelings only at the election days. But there are skeletons in everyone’s cupboard. The same condition also prevails in other nations. As far as Christianity is concerned, a true Christian should follow the principles of Humanity, Fraternity and Patience. Instead, the Christian institutions are busy in conversion activity. The Christian nations like U.S. of A. and U.K. bully other countries as per their convenience.

In Islam, three things- non-veg., wine and violence are Haram-forbidden by Quran. The word ‘Jihad’ misused by the terrorists means a fight against unrighteousness. Apart from that, the word ‘Musalman’ means a person whose honesty is firm as a rock. But unfortunately, many people have forgotten it today.

And what to say about the Hindus? Now temples and religious sects are the parts of a business called ‘religion’. Temples compete each other in playing loudspeakers, collecting money and now they have not left the field of education. They operate a chain of schools and colleges with the help of huge ‘donations’. Such people don’t hesitate to grab the land of the university.

We often hear the preacher’s objection, modern films but as Dale Carnegie has said,
“ Any fool can condemn, complain or criticize-and most fools do.”

For them, the contemporary movies are obscene but why they forget the C.Ds and M.M.S. of the ‘Gurus’? Friends, I am very sorry to say but we Indians are perhaps the most hypocrite people. We have the controversy of ‘Thought v/s reality’.

Such hollow-men don’t know the a,b,c, of spirituality. I think the real religion lies in the devoted and dedicated love for the Almighty. At this point , I am tempted to recount the words of Mustafa Mond in Huxley’s novel ‘Brave New World’ ,when he says that

“Religion intoxicates the mind.”

Politicians use the opium of ‘Dharma’ to hypnotize the mass so that they can easily suck their blood. Don’t forget that a coman man is not interested in building a temple at the certain place, but in earning his bread and butter. He wants education. He wants employment and he wants the better life-style.

But how can we blame the politicians? They are not aliens. They come from the same India. So a common Indian is responsible for his suffering. People in other countries are least concerned with religion or politics because they are work-oriented and their society is not drawn in the mud of corruption.

Thus, religion and politics are the great hurdles in the realization of Dr. Kalam’s envisioned ‘Developed India’. But the darkest cloud has a silver lining. If religion and politics merge for a positive purpose, they can create a history. Remember Lord Rama who used to consult Guru Vasistha for the better administration.

Remember Emperor Ashoka who was deeply moved with the words of a Buddhist monk and began a great deal of welfare for the state.

As per the saying,
“Charity begins at home”, we must work hard for preparing ‘super-power India’, and it is not impossible. Friends, together we can ands we will make a difference. Thanks.

Aryan
Produced by - Hiten Israni
Music -Anand Raj Anand
Directed by -Abhishek Kapoor
Cast - Sohail Khan
Sneha Ullal
Satish Shah
Punit Issar
Fardeen Khan
Farida Jalal


Well, the combo of a charming chick and a muscular man makes it an entertainer.


Sohail Khan- though with an awkward face strives to act but oops, it’s beyond his reach!


He plays an idle egotistic boxer who lags behind in the rat-race of the day. He, consequently, pours out his frustration to his cute cat-his darling.


A bravo attempt for Sneha Ullal to prove that she inherits both the beauty and skill of Aish. Her child-like gullibility justifies her casting for this girl-next-door role.


Surfatorially, the movie seems to be a worn out romantic story but it touches the practicalities of life with efficacy, viz. pathological jealousy, imbalance of monitory status, ego clash in matrimonial relationship etc.


The rift in the relation of Aryan and Neha holds a red-light to the immature and impulsive actions of emotional fools to tie the wedlock.


The music is an added attribute to the movie. A good guide-line for the would-be spouses.

- Jay Mehta

Pyaar Ke Side Effects

As the title indicates, the movie is about the experiences of a couple during love, after engagement and even after the break-up.

Sidh- Rahul Bose is a D.J. who meets Trisha- Mallika Sherawat in her marriage from where she endeavors to escape. Both come closer soon and as usual ‘Dosti’ turns into ‘pyaar’ .

The film presents the mindset of young guys and gals regarding love , lust and marriage. This aspect is an inheritance of ‘Hum Tum’.

Rahul Bose has worked very well. It is news for me that Mallika can also act without exhibiting her captivating curves.

Some hilarious sequences make the movie interesting. The music is an addition to it specially songs like ‘Jane Kya Chaahe Man Baawra’, and ‘Pyaar Karke Pachtaya’.

However, in the purview of structure the film completely lags behind. It is not at all sequential. At the beginning, it baffles the spectator and he may find it absurd to some extent. The turn of the emotions is quite hasty and haphazard.

Overall, the film is quite entertaining. In a nutshell, ‘Pyaar Ke Side Effects’ is a nice pastime but does not deserve a rush to the theatres.

- Jay Mehta.

Mission Impossible II

Star cast: Tom Cruise
Produced by: Tom Cruise
Banner: Paramount Film Productions Ltd.

The flamboyant dude’s back with his catchy stunts and will-knit plot. Yes, Tom Cruise himself has produced the action saga Mission Impossible II playing a smarty and candid police officer-cum-spy, who gambles his life to protect humankind from destruction ill-intended by ‘crazy for money’ technocrats.

Equally prominent character is Miss Nia Hall. She earns no less esteem than Tom.

The film has a nice command on the audience throughout. The vibrant music is in perfect accordance with the action sequences especially in the second half. However, some of the sequences jog our memory of the Hindi movies of 70s in which a hero kicks or punches a villain just once and villain dies but in the Maglev-like speed of the scenes in M.I.2, the audience hardly gets the chance to notice it.

I’ve heard some people commenting that the Hollywood films have only hot scenes and stunt scenes to show but that’s quite idiotic. Be it Titanic or MI2 it’s a fact that ‘Pyaar, Mohabbat’ is not a monopoly of Bumbaiya films. Without delivering the dialogues like ‘Main Tumhare Liye Kuchh Bhi Kar Sakti Hoon.’, the heroine proves it with her deeds.

Not to forget the look of Tom Cruise which has mesmerized Indian stars like Saif Ali Khan (Remember, ‘Hum Tum’).

So for the people interested in stunning thriller, it’s a must watch movie.

- Jay Mehta.

Casino Royale


Name’s Bond, James Bond. As soon as we hear it, what strikes in our mind is the face of the dashing dude Pierce Brosnan, but this time kicking, firing, and spying – all is on the part of Daniel Craig- the new 007 agent.

‘Casino Royale’ is all about Bond’s struggle to avert crores of money going to the terrorists. Le Schiff- the banker of the terrorists has lost 450 crores and to recover this, he plans an international level game of Poker with 10 participants each playing with 45 cr. Bond is sent to play as another person. The hot Eva Green is with him as an accountant of C.I.A. The real fun of suspense begins on that point & I won’t tell further

The film is not up to the mark of the Bond movies. The juxtaposition of ‘Casino Royale’ with ‘The Golden Eye’, ‘The World is Not Enough’ or ‘Die Another Day’ clearly reveals that Daniel Craig lags behind. Be it his pygmy look or his face, he has failed in his mission to sustain the glamour of Pierce Brosnan.
From music to dialogues to setting, everything is radically different from the previous movies. The first action sequence with a hard-to-handle Negro is breathtaking, but nothing special is there to make you watch it repeatedly.

The heaviest stroke on the movie in India is D2! Rather than Daniel Craig, the Indian style icon Hrithik succeeded to pull away the mass. So sorry 007, better luck next time.


- Jay Mehta

Date: 02/03/2008

Jodha Akbar

Shahenshah –E- Hindustan, Jalalluddin Mohammad Akbar has already made his majestic arrival in theatres weeks ago but I had an ecstatic rendezvous with him today itself.
‘Jodha-Akbar’- A mesmerizing magnum opus in the real sense of the term. Each aspect of the movie is flawless. To take a look at some:
Hrithik is in one of the most stunning roles of his career. With so devotion and efficacy, he plays Akbar that Prithvi Raj Kapoor must be smiling from the heavens above to Hrithik’s performance.
Be it his benevolence to his Raiyyat, his diplomatic administration or his chivalry with Aish - Hrithik, again, proves his mettle in each scene.
If we acclaim him so much, in Shelley’s term, can Mallika-E- Hindustan be far behind? Aish perfectly plays a bold and beautiful Rajput princess. Her matchless beauty and sharpness justifies her casting.
My major temptation, however, was the enchanting music of A. R. Rahman - a genius. He sets a perfect mood for every occasion. A highly soulful Suffi song –Khwaja Mere Khwaja, takes us into trance as it takes Akbar.
‘Jashn-E-Bahaara’ and ‘In Lamho Ke Daaman Main’ are the epitome of ‘Shringar Rasa’. Not to neglect ‘Azeem-O-Shan Shahenshah’ with a bombastic woofer sound sings the glory of India’s legendary emperor. Hats off to Javed Akhtar’s Urdu studded Hindi poetry.
What about the technicalities? Well, the cinematography, especially in war scenes and songs, is phenomenal. The first encounter of the two armies reminded me of the similar confrontation in ‘Troy’. Unfortunately the scene is an exact adaptation from ‘Troy’ and so is the last duel of Akbar.
The settings of titanic castles, jewel-studded costumes, rapidly shifting camera angles etc cast a spell over the audience.
On top of that, the ‘Siyaasati Daav-Pech’, Akbar’s journey of life, his dilemma in tackling the black sheep Badi Ammi and bete noire traitor bother-in law etc make ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ a complete entertainer.
Dialogues, in balanced Urdu, are also touchy. E.g.,
“Khushiyon Ka Batwaraa Shankh Aur Azaan Ki Aawaaz Se Nahi Hota.”
“Hamesha Hamari Shamsher Ke Saaye Main Hamaare Apne Hi Kyon Aate Hain?”
The moment the name Ronnie Screwala hit the screen, I gave a nudge to my buddy ensuring the quality of the movie. Ronnie is the unsung artist of ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Metro’, and guess I was right!
The dust of controversy raised by some importance seeking cynics for the authenticity of its history has proven to be a shot in the arm for the movie.
Ultimately, a creator of ‘Swades’ and ‘Lagaan’ – Aashutosh Gowarikar deserves several pats on his back for gifting an extravaganza to the Indian celluloid.
To enjoy the saga of ‘Saahib- E- Aalam’ in the surround sound system of multiplex is a stupefying experience for me.
Dear serious movie freaks, you will kick up your hills watching ‘Jodhaa Akbar’. It’s a must watch for you.
- Jay Mehta

Sarkar Raj

Ram Gopal Verma is back! Like a phoenix, he stands up from the ashes of 'Aag', to present a sequel to a Godfather-inspired movie - Sarkar.

Like Lagey Raho Munnabhai, Sarkar Raj, too, is an exception to a general trend of Bollywood, that a sequel is a weak imitation of the original one. In many technical aspects, the movie stands at par with Sarkar, let alone the thematic commonality. To take a look at some:-

The plot is quite symmetrical, with a balanced number of turns and twists. The suspense is not unconvincing. Be it murder, kidnap or bomb blast, every action keeps a viewer on the edge of his chair.

If 'Sarkar' symbolizes Bal Thakre, 'Sarkar Raj' symbolizes power legacy of Raj Thakre & his clash with Uddhav Thakre (as Somji) as well.

When it comes to performance, Amitabh Bachchan, as usual, proves his mettle. His dazzling work eclipses a dedicated attempt of Abhishek. Though Sarkar Raj is a projection of Abhishek, the movie suggests that still he has 'miles to go 'to equal his dear dad.

Like the court scene of 'Guru', Abhishek, here too, tries to imitate a veteran actor - Amitabh Bachchan; but in vain.

Quite mediocre is the work of Aishwarya Rai, oops, Bachchan! When Abhishek is moribund, Aish laments but it seems artificial.

The use of striking dialogues is another trait of Sarkar series. e.g.,

"Jaan Lena Jurm Hai Par Sahi Samay Par Jaan Lena Raajneeti."

However, when Abhishek echoes the mantra of Sarkar,

"Mujhe Jo Thik Lagta Hai Wo Main Karta Hun…"

it seems so ridiculous.

The technicians of Sarkar Raj deserve a pat on their back. An experimental use of camera angles matches the rapid sequence of events. Many shots are taken from ground level.

Again, like Sarkar, what sets the mood most in Sarkar Raj, is the Govinda theme. Besides, the heavy background score does the same job.

So, if you are tormented by Bollywood blunders like Jannat and others, go for Sarkar Raj. You'll have a real cinematic pleasure.

- Jay Mehta

Review of Delhi6

23 February 2009

Delhi6

Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Music: A. R. Rahman

Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi

Be a rebel! Rakeysh Mehra, to a large extent, recreates the vigor of Rang De Basanti, assisted by his previous allies. Diaspora, communal clash, macabre politics, familial relations – Delhi6 has it all. It’s a rainbow of all the hues of Indian life. Dadi (Waheeda Rahman) flies from New York to Old Delhi with her grandson Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan) as she wishes to breathe her last on the native soil. Despite the initial whys and hows, Roshan falls in love with Mastano ki Delhi. The film portrays this metamorphosis.

Be it the allegory of Ram Leela or the symbolism of the real life Kaala Bandar havoc, all these techniques constitute a well-knit plot. For instance, the humiliation of Jalebi ( Divya Dutta) – an outcast, is juxtaposed with the scene of Ram-Shabari tale. Each scene defines excellence in film making. Congested streets of Chandni Chawk, Sansani type blunders of electronic media, blame game of government officials, psycho-analysis of the mass … - enough material for a research work!

Waheeda Rahman rejuvenates the charm of her era. Junior Bachchan has acted unexpectedly well. Sonam Kapoor’s natural performance in Saawaria was neglected but Delhi6 makes up for it. Vijay Raaz as an archetypal policewallah, Divya Dutta and Atul Kulkarni as marginalized people, Cyrus Sahukar as a selfish escapist – all justify their casting.

Words will not suffice my sense of exhilaration when it comes to the music of Rahman – the maestro. Peppy title track, onomatopoeic mast masakkali song, amusing Genda Phool… - isn’t Rahman’s international recognition a bit late? Just like Khwaja Mere Khwaja of ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, Arziyaan is potent to take you in trance. The quavvali manifests the divinity of Rahman’s soul.

Prasoon Joshi – the lyricist of RDB, Ghajini, Taare Zameen par, Fanaa … well, that’s enough for his credential. If not, here is a gem from his pen:-

“Daraare daraare hain maathe pe Maula;

Marammat muqaddar ki kar do mere Maula.”

Striking dialogues match the temperament of the film. E.g.,

“Yahaan ghar chhote hain is liye dil bade hone ke daave karte hain. … Yeh hai dilwalon ki Delhi.”

However, the film is not flawless. One may find it hard to focus on several social menaces the filmmaker attacks simultaneously. The second half seems to be needlessly prolonged, or even melodramatic, if I can say so.

All said and done, Delhi6 proves that cinema is much more than the cliché masala movies of SRK. Delhi6 can bring tears to your eyes and smile to your lips at the same time. Watch it for the all-encompassing cinematic experience.

- Jay Mehta.