I finally got to read this highly acclaimed piece of work by the West Indian scholar and cricketer, C.L.R. James. His most famous quote 'What do they know of cricket who only cricket knows?' sums up his attitude to the game and his thoughts on how it should be played. It is a fascinating book and to call it a cricket book is really doing it great injustice - not just that, it shows the ignorance of the reader / reviewer.
Beyond a Boundary is many things. It is part autobiography, a socio-cultural commentary on the West Indian society, a historical account of cricket in the West Indies, an account of colonialism and racism in the West Indies, a profile of some of the best known names in the game, a commentary and essay on whether the game is an art, the spirit of the game and how it must be preserved, literature, art, politics and so much more that is beyond my scope in one reading. It is a wonderfully captivating book for the lucidity of thought of the author and his way of presenting it.
C.L.R.James writes with great authority on the game and as with anyone, some issues could be debatable. For instance when he avers that the wicket keeping position is not one for the captain. Or even some descriptions and terms which do not register to the modern day cricketer. But his profiles of players like Arthur Jones, Learie Constantine, George Jones, George Headley, Frank Worrell, W.G. Grace. Don Bradman and so many others as he writes about matches or politics or compares styles is fascinating.
It is only such deep love for the game, for what goes into the game, the serious study of its techniques and shades, the theory and practice, the understanding of the dynamics behind the game, the love for his community, society, mankind, justice, fairplay - that can bring forth a book like this. It certainly cannot be reviewed by me because it is of a knowledge and scale beyond me. One can only feel the intensity of the passion, see the power of the writing, acknowledge the vast amount of knowledge that speaks behind each word and breathe deeply and say - how I wish I could write like that someday!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Work On New Novel - The Misfit
I have been putting in a few hours into getting 'The Misfit' into some shape. Now 'The Misfit' was the first complete novel that I wrote and as such is very close to my heart. So I will ensure that it gets published and gets into the public domain as my third novel. Since its been written and rewritten many times already I know the story well. I had a fair idea how the book progress but somehow the structure needed more definite boundaries which I succeeded in putting up.
Compound walls erected, broad divisions identified, progression logic under control, devices identified to make story tauter, it is generally falling in. I can see another 20% work before it gets into its final shape but its good enough for Keerti, my editor, to look at and give me her evaluation. I have a Bangalore trip planned to meet her this weekend. Only wondering about the shooting schedule. If there is shooting this week I will have to go early next week maybe.
After Keerti looks at it, I will sit down and rework it. But I have the story under control now, it will be much to do with presentation and delivery. Which could mean a complete rewrite of the story as well!
Anyway, glad that I finished the first draft. Celebration time!
Compound walls erected, broad divisions identified, progression logic under control, devices identified to make story tauter, it is generally falling in. I can see another 20% work before it gets into its final shape but its good enough for Keerti, my editor, to look at and give me her evaluation. I have a Bangalore trip planned to meet her this weekend. Only wondering about the shooting schedule. If there is shooting this week I will have to go early next week maybe.
After Keerti looks at it, I will sit down and rework it. But I have the story under control now, it will be much to do with presentation and delivery. Which could mean a complete rewrite of the story as well!
Anyway, glad that I finished the first draft. Celebration time!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Love, Sex Aur Dhokha - Movie Review
I watched LSD on video because it zipped out of the screens before I went. I liked Dibakar Banerjee's earlier works (Khosla Ka Ghosla and Oye Lucky) so I dutifully went for this. I did not make much sense of this movie though. However it was as different and spunky as his other movies. Here is someone who will experiment and tell stories differently.
On a broad note LSD is three different stories. One of love, one of sex and another of dhokha. Or actually all three stories have all three elements woven into them anyway. The first is the love story of a young director making a film for his diploma. He falls in love with the girl who plays his heroine. However she comes from a rough, coarse and rich family that has rather strict and violent views about everything and especially love etc. Though young director manages to convince the father and gives him a role in the movie as the girl's father, the prospect of marriage being acceptable to the family is bleak. The two elope, everything being recorded on the handycam by the young director, and the young couple call the girl's family at night hoping for a rapprochement. The father says he has no issues now they are married and sends a car for them. The happy young couple get into the car. The car stops midway. The couple are united together.
The second story is centred around a convenience store cum coffee shop. The manager is a chap who is going around as an MBA, a relative of the owner. His friend installs the CCTV in the shop and they figure that they can sell a scandalous sex tape made on the shop floor for money. Manager needs money because he owes some to loansharks. They plan to seduce one of the salesgirls. While in the process, he falls in love with her. There is a shooting incident in the shop where the girl to be seduced shows some quick thinking and saves the guy from dying. It also happens that the young director's wife is her friend and they all sit one afternoon and share a beer. All is going well until she hears of some sad news, and in that mad frenzy, one thing leads to another. The manager gets up to turn off the video, but on second thoughts leaves it on. He needs the money.
The third story is that of a sting operator who rescues a dancer looking for a break from a pop star in his music videos. She is disappointed that he promised her a video and went and gave it to some other girl and jumps in a lake to commit suicide. Sting man tells her they can make a sting op catching the pop star fellow making indecent propositions. They pull it off but the editor feels that the story is not complete. He'd deny it. So another sting in anticipation of the denial would really nail him. So the girl goes back for another sting. The pop star pops a gun and shoots - hitting the sting operator. Oh, and it's in the convenience store where the other two parties have met. He survives. All tied up. All stories blending nicely no? All stories have handy cams or video cams giving us the voyeurship.
I did not get what the film was saying except that it portrayed three highly plausible love stories that we read about in newspapers everyday. The stories are well told though. To me the interesting part of these stories is more about what happens after since I have heard of these stories already. Maybe everyone goes on with their lives in the movie. Maybe Dibakar left it open as he did Oye Lucky. I do hope he starts closing up the movies though. It makes movies more interesting if the film makers think of what happened next, instead of the audience.
But despite my reservations, this guy is serious talent and I will watch all his movies.
On a broad note LSD is three different stories. One of love, one of sex and another of dhokha. Or actually all three stories have all three elements woven into them anyway. The first is the love story of a young director making a film for his diploma. He falls in love with the girl who plays his heroine. However she comes from a rough, coarse and rich family that has rather strict and violent views about everything and especially love etc. Though young director manages to convince the father and gives him a role in the movie as the girl's father, the prospect of marriage being acceptable to the family is bleak. The two elope, everything being recorded on the handycam by the young director, and the young couple call the girl's family at night hoping for a rapprochement. The father says he has no issues now they are married and sends a car for them. The happy young couple get into the car. The car stops midway. The couple are united together.
The second story is centred around a convenience store cum coffee shop. The manager is a chap who is going around as an MBA, a relative of the owner. His friend installs the CCTV in the shop and they figure that they can sell a scandalous sex tape made on the shop floor for money. Manager needs money because he owes some to loansharks. They plan to seduce one of the salesgirls. While in the process, he falls in love with her. There is a shooting incident in the shop where the girl to be seduced shows some quick thinking and saves the guy from dying. It also happens that the young director's wife is her friend and they all sit one afternoon and share a beer. All is going well until she hears of some sad news, and in that mad frenzy, one thing leads to another. The manager gets up to turn off the video, but on second thoughts leaves it on. He needs the money.
The third story is that of a sting operator who rescues a dancer looking for a break from a pop star in his music videos. She is disappointed that he promised her a video and went and gave it to some other girl and jumps in a lake to commit suicide. Sting man tells her they can make a sting op catching the pop star fellow making indecent propositions. They pull it off but the editor feels that the story is not complete. He'd deny it. So another sting in anticipation of the denial would really nail him. So the girl goes back for another sting. The pop star pops a gun and shoots - hitting the sting operator. Oh, and it's in the convenience store where the other two parties have met. He survives. All tied up. All stories blending nicely no? All stories have handy cams or video cams giving us the voyeurship.
I did not get what the film was saying except that it portrayed three highly plausible love stories that we read about in newspapers everyday. The stories are well told though. To me the interesting part of these stories is more about what happens after since I have heard of these stories already. Maybe everyone goes on with their lives in the movie. Maybe Dibakar left it open as he did Oye Lucky. I do hope he starts closing up the movies though. It makes movies more interesting if the film makers think of what happened next, instead of the audience.
But despite my reservations, this guy is serious talent and I will watch all his movies.
Srinivas Sai a.k.a. Siddhanth - A Star In The Making
Meet the stylish, handsome, Srinivas Sai, all of 18 years, who plays the key role of the temperamental Siddhanth, GPS's star player. One look at Srinivas and you know that here is a boy who is very aware of the fact that he is made for acting, nay, rephrase, for stardom. None of the stuff that the other kids do on sets like playing the fool, playing cricket, soccer etc for him - Srinivas is always handling himself in much the way a star would, saving himself up for the shots, watching, observing, conversing and probably rehearsing, and then giving the perfect take for the most difficult shots. One of the most talented in terms of acting, someone who knows how to use himself for maximum effect on screen, Srinivas is simply superb when it comes to dramatising his bits so stylishly that it appears that there can be no other better way to do that.
A student of St. Mary's Yousufguda, Srinivas is currently pursuing his 1st year B. Com. It is typical of his unshakeable confidence that he says 'I want to become a good actor. I don't have any other thought from childhood but I am confident that I am going to fulfill my dream by acheiving many awards in few years...say two years.' Now that is the kind of confidence that this kid is made of. And when you see him you know that he is not one to say things without meaning them. He will make sure that it will come true.
Srinivas has acted as a child artiste in Nagarjuna's 'Kedi' and this is his second film. For someone who has not trained formally, he appears to be the best prepared of the lot. A case of oodles of talent and loads of preparation, which gives him that extra confidence. 'I got appreciation from Sumanth sir that I did well,' says he, conscious of the fact that all appreciation from people in a higher orbit is worth its weight in gold. 'And I am really boosted with the appreciation of Mohan Krishna garu,' he says, thrilled. 'After every take of my shoot Mohan sir says that's very good Siddhant,superb'. Siddhanth has some of the more complex scenes in the movie and having seen a few, I know how easily the boy carried them off. I mean they just lay back, improvise on the fly, add several new dimensions to it, stylise it and let it rip, all in one take. And with a smile.
Siddhanth is fully aware that his job is cut out. 'If I want to become an actor I should work on my body compulsorily,' he says all seriousness. 'I need to work on my fitness. Also my expressions should be new and catchy to the audience so mirror method acting should be done. Most importantly I need to hone my communication skills further as it is very important in every aspect of life especially in acting.' How is that for clarity? But I would not expect any less from this boy.
When we first started shooting this movie, Srinivas was to play the role of Vikas, the intense, troubled sidekick of Siddhanth. I noticed that he was enthusiastic right from Day one, always ready to learn, always open to new things and challenges. He has this quality of never saying No, or rather let me rephrase it, of saying YES to life and going and grabbing it if it is somewhere nearby. It is a quality that will take him far because he will get chances that most people will call luck or good breaks, but which I will attribute to his attitude of being open to life, of knowing where exactly the opportunity lies. It is the same attitude that made him land the plum role of Siddhanth when Vivek, the boy who was to play Siddhanth, opted out due to personal reasons, and Srinivas gleefully stepped into the role. So keen is his sense of anticipation of anything good. Don't even ask why someone like Vivek would opt out and a role like that would go to Srinivas of all the people so easily - its his consciousness and he will have several such breaks with his consciousness.
Srinivas is not a trained cricketer and he is aware of that. But he is confident that he can pull off whatever is given to him on shot. He worked hard on his technique in the early days when I told him that he plays a key role and must not look shoddy while batting. He took all the advise seriously, practiced hard and pulled off his cricketing bits comfortably. Not for him the comfort that - 'hey I know my acting can pull me off so I don't need to play so well' - kind of an attitude. Even in all the cricket shots he wants to be in the middle of the action. When we wanted him to pull off a reverse sweep he did that perfectly against a bowler of Imran's capability, and all the shots that he hit in his innings he did perfectly. He may not have the style that one wants from a batsman like Siddhanth but he has this confident swing of the bat that hits it authoritatively and that was good enough for me. We practice for long before the actual shot and sometimes we are dismayed that he is not getting it but he always smiles and says 'I will get it in the shot sir' and he does. That is amazing because ball sense, cricketing sense can't be taught overnight. It is just his great will and confidence and his mind getting the pattern that he wants, and voila, he pulls it off.
There was one instance when the boys were to take slip catches off a roller. Not everyone can take these catches easily. Now we wanted all the best fielders in the middle where most catches would go, so all the trained guys were fitted in. Suddenly I noticed that Siddhanth was right in the middle. Though it made sense that he stands there as the star batsman of the team and best slip fielder, he really is not trained for this specialized bit so I was worried. One fumble and I told him to move to the far corner. His response was a fierce 'No sir, I will take the catches sir'. He did not budge and I let him stay because I could see that he wanted to stay there and take every catch that came his way. And mind you, he did not drop a single catch - some of them hard and swift. Srinivas knows his place and he will do all that it takes for him to stay there. In retrospect I am so glad he has that spirit because it makes sense for Siddhanth to be exactly where he was - right in the middle of the slip cordon as the GHS star slip fielder.
He is a bit of a recluse otherwise. He hangs around with his close friends - Sudheer, who plays Sanjay, is one. They are generally seen wandering all over the place discussing perhaps movies, futures, dreams. Not for them boys games. Not for them extra sunshine. It is a standing joke on the set that when Siddhanth arrives 'the star' has arrived because he brings that attitude to the shot. In shade, saving his energy and his complexion, he reserves the best for the shots that matter. Srinivas is also completely professional. He never keeps anyone waiting.
One thing about him is that he does not expect you to treat him like a child. He knows his mind, knows what he wants and knows he is on the way to fulfilling his destiny. He does not play in the shades of childishness where he gets extra string like any of the kids can get away with. He talks seriously, politely, earnestly and comes across as a responsible youngster. 'My entry in films is a miracle that happened in my life,' he says. 'My big story.' Srinivas's favorite movies are Titanic and the Omen and his favourite actors are Kamal Hassan and Sridevi. 'I don't have any dream roles as such,' he says. He loves to watch horror movies and likes to 'read, watch news and contact old frends when he has more balance in his phone.'
Siddhanth and Sudheer were among the first guys who took a copy of 'The Men Within' to read. I never heard their opinions on it because they were always 'still reading it..' or something like that. But Siddhanth (I am assuming he finally finished reading it) says it is an amazing story which inspires, and that he is very glad to be 'part of this beautiful inspiring movie'.
Srinivas has everything going for him. His talent is there for all to see and even better, he knows it. He is aware of what he can do and he carries and nurtures his dreams well. And for someone like that, he is also completely grounded with no airs at all. With that confidence, looks and preparation, Siddhanth is someone to watch out for and I for one am waiting to see him explode on the screen.
On another angle Srinivas, to me, is Siddhanth all the way. Maybe even better, because he knows how to use his talent unlike the temperamental, fictional Siddhanth. Watch out for the champion everyone - with him its only a question of 'when' he will make it and not 'if' he makes it. Wishing you great success Srinivas in all that you do, and may you achieve all that you were meant to!
 |
| Siddhanth awaiting his turn at the nets |
A student of St. Mary's Yousufguda, Srinivas is currently pursuing his 1st year B. Com. It is typical of his unshakeable confidence that he says 'I want to become a good actor. I don't have any other thought from childhood but I am confident that I am going to fulfill my dream by acheiving many awards in few years...say two years.' Now that is the kind of confidence that this kid is made of. And when you see him you know that he is not one to say things without meaning them. He will make sure that it will come true.
Srinivas has acted as a child artiste in Nagarjuna's 'Kedi' and this is his second film. For someone who has not trained formally, he appears to be the best prepared of the lot. A case of oodles of talent and loads of preparation, which gives him that extra confidence. 'I got appreciation from Sumanth sir that I did well,' says he, conscious of the fact that all appreciation from people in a higher orbit is worth its weight in gold. 'And I am really boosted with the appreciation of Mohan Krishna garu,' he says, thrilled. 'After every take of my shoot Mohan sir says that's very good Siddhant,superb'. Siddhanth has some of the more complex scenes in the movie and having seen a few, I know how easily the boy carried them off. I mean they just lay back, improvise on the fly, add several new dimensions to it, stylise it and let it rip, all in one take. And with a smile.
Siddhanth is fully aware that his job is cut out. 'If I want to become an actor I should work on my body compulsorily,' he says all seriousness. 'I need to work on my fitness. Also my expressions should be new and catchy to the audience so mirror method acting should be done. Most importantly I need to hone my communication skills further as it is very important in every aspect of life especially in acting.' How is that for clarity? But I would not expect any less from this boy.
When we first started shooting this movie, Srinivas was to play the role of Vikas, the intense, troubled sidekick of Siddhanth. I noticed that he was enthusiastic right from Day one, always ready to learn, always open to new things and challenges. He has this quality of never saying No, or rather let me rephrase it, of saying YES to life and going and grabbing it if it is somewhere nearby. It is a quality that will take him far because he will get chances that most people will call luck or good breaks, but which I will attribute to his attitude of being open to life, of knowing where exactly the opportunity lies. It is the same attitude that made him land the plum role of Siddhanth when Vivek, the boy who was to play Siddhanth, opted out due to personal reasons, and Srinivas gleefully stepped into the role. So keen is his sense of anticipation of anything good. Don't even ask why someone like Vivek would opt out and a role like that would go to Srinivas of all the people so easily - its his consciousness and he will have several such breaks with his consciousness.
Srinivas is not a trained cricketer and he is aware of that. But he is confident that he can pull off whatever is given to him on shot. He worked hard on his technique in the early days when I told him that he plays a key role and must not look shoddy while batting. He took all the advise seriously, practiced hard and pulled off his cricketing bits comfortably. Not for him the comfort that - 'hey I know my acting can pull me off so I don't need to play so well' - kind of an attitude. Even in all the cricket shots he wants to be in the middle of the action. When we wanted him to pull off a reverse sweep he did that perfectly against a bowler of Imran's capability, and all the shots that he hit in his innings he did perfectly. He may not have the style that one wants from a batsman like Siddhanth but he has this confident swing of the bat that hits it authoritatively and that was good enough for me. We practice for long before the actual shot and sometimes we are dismayed that he is not getting it but he always smiles and says 'I will get it in the shot sir' and he does. That is amazing because ball sense, cricketing sense can't be taught overnight. It is just his great will and confidence and his mind getting the pattern that he wants, and voila, he pulls it off.
There was one instance when the boys were to take slip catches off a roller. Not everyone can take these catches easily. Now we wanted all the best fielders in the middle where most catches would go, so all the trained guys were fitted in. Suddenly I noticed that Siddhanth was right in the middle. Though it made sense that he stands there as the star batsman of the team and best slip fielder, he really is not trained for this specialized bit so I was worried. One fumble and I told him to move to the far corner. His response was a fierce 'No sir, I will take the catches sir'. He did not budge and I let him stay because I could see that he wanted to stay there and take every catch that came his way. And mind you, he did not drop a single catch - some of them hard and swift. Srinivas knows his place and he will do all that it takes for him to stay there. In retrospect I am so glad he has that spirit because it makes sense for Siddhanth to be exactly where he was - right in the middle of the slip cordon as the GHS star slip fielder.
He is a bit of a recluse otherwise. He hangs around with his close friends - Sudheer, who plays Sanjay, is one. They are generally seen wandering all over the place discussing perhaps movies, futures, dreams. Not for them boys games. Not for them extra sunshine. It is a standing joke on the set that when Siddhanth arrives 'the star' has arrived because he brings that attitude to the shot. In shade, saving his energy and his complexion, he reserves the best for the shots that matter. Srinivas is also completely professional. He never keeps anyone waiting.
One thing about him is that he does not expect you to treat him like a child. He knows his mind, knows what he wants and knows he is on the way to fulfilling his destiny. He does not play in the shades of childishness where he gets extra string like any of the kids can get away with. He talks seriously, politely, earnestly and comes across as a responsible youngster. 'My entry in films is a miracle that happened in my life,' he says. 'My big story.' Srinivas's favorite movies are Titanic and the Omen and his favourite actors are Kamal Hassan and Sridevi. 'I don't have any dream roles as such,' he says. He loves to watch horror movies and likes to 'read, watch news and contact old frends when he has more balance in his phone.'
Siddhanth and Sudheer were among the first guys who took a copy of 'The Men Within' to read. I never heard their opinions on it because they were always 'still reading it..' or something like that. But Siddhanth (I am assuming he finally finished reading it) says it is an amazing story which inspires, and that he is very glad to be 'part of this beautiful inspiring movie'.
Srinivas has everything going for him. His talent is there for all to see and even better, he knows it. He is aware of what he can do and he carries and nurtures his dreams well. And for someone like that, he is also completely grounded with no airs at all. With that confidence, looks and preparation, Siddhanth is someone to watch out for and I for one am waiting to see him explode on the screen.
On another angle Srinivas, to me, is Siddhanth all the way. Maybe even better, because he knows how to use his talent unlike the temperamental, fictional Siddhanth. Watch out for the champion everyone - with him its only a question of 'when' he will make it and not 'if' he makes it. Wishing you great success Srinivas in all that you do, and may you achieve all that you were meant to!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Children of Heaven - Movie
I was surfing around this morning and on Star Movies I chanced upon 'Children of Heaven' the highly acclaimed Irani movie. I have been hearing about this movie for ages and I was so glad that I had an opportunity to see it, though I must have missed about 20 minutes or so.
It's brilliant the way it draws you in. From when I started seeing the movie, I figured the the two children, Ali and his younger sister Zahra, keep exchanging the one pair of sneakers they have between them. Ali has lost Zahra's sneakers and they know their father cannot afford any expense, so they use the same pair of sneakers since their school timings are different. Zahra goes first with her outsized sneakers, feeling all ashamed, looking at shoes all around her. She finishes school, races back several streets to meet her brother, where they exchange the sneakers and she heads home while Ali goes to school. Sometimes she gets delayed and Ali gets delayed too. Its heart wrenching to see the two stoically go about their life like that. Ali constantly refuses to play soccer because he cannot afford to spoil the one pair of sneakers they have. But he is a good student and gets rewarded for good performance. Zahra peers into shoe shops, tells Ali she does not want these sneakers any more.
There is a scene when one shoe flies off the flailing feet of Zahra as she runs to her brother after school and falls in the drain. Zahra chases the shoe which goes and gets stuck under a big drain and she stops by it, crying. She can see it but cannot reach it. And then a shop keeper steps in, frees the shoe and he returns it to her. Ah, if the shoe had been lost I would have killed the director then.
The announcement of a long distance race for prizes and Ali's non-participation in it due to not having shoes goes on until Ali realises that the third prize is that of a pair of sneakers. He goes to his Physical education teacher and cries his heart out asking to be included. The teacher has no go but to include him; so intense is this young guy. And he runs, thinking of the troubles his sister has had because of the shoes, his promises to her to buy sneakers, his promise to come third whatever the cost. But in the melee it turns out that however hard Ali tries to be third he ends up at the top of the pack. And the poor lad is so disappointed at not having come third that he cries on the podium.
Ah, it's beautiful. All will be well for Ali and Zahra and so many like them. They are after all, the 'Children of Heaven'.
It's brilliant the way it draws you in. From when I started seeing the movie, I figured the the two children, Ali and his younger sister Zahra, keep exchanging the one pair of sneakers they have between them. Ali has lost Zahra's sneakers and they know their father cannot afford any expense, so they use the same pair of sneakers since their school timings are different. Zahra goes first with her outsized sneakers, feeling all ashamed, looking at shoes all around her. She finishes school, races back several streets to meet her brother, where they exchange the sneakers and she heads home while Ali goes to school. Sometimes she gets delayed and Ali gets delayed too. Its heart wrenching to see the two stoically go about their life like that. Ali constantly refuses to play soccer because he cannot afford to spoil the one pair of sneakers they have. But he is a good student and gets rewarded for good performance. Zahra peers into shoe shops, tells Ali she does not want these sneakers any more.
There is a scene when one shoe flies off the flailing feet of Zahra as she runs to her brother after school and falls in the drain. Zahra chases the shoe which goes and gets stuck under a big drain and she stops by it, crying. She can see it but cannot reach it. And then a shop keeper steps in, frees the shoe and he returns it to her. Ah, if the shoe had been lost I would have killed the director then.
The announcement of a long distance race for prizes and Ali's non-participation in it due to not having shoes goes on until Ali realises that the third prize is that of a pair of sneakers. He goes to his Physical education teacher and cries his heart out asking to be included. The teacher has no go but to include him; so intense is this young guy. And he runs, thinking of the troubles his sister has had because of the shoes, his promises to her to buy sneakers, his promise to come third whatever the cost. But in the melee it turns out that however hard Ali tries to be third he ends up at the top of the pack. And the poor lad is so disappointed at not having come third that he cries on the podium.
Ah, it's beautiful. All will be well for Ali and Zahra and so many like them. They are after all, the 'Children of Heaven'.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tere Bin Laden - Movie Review
I wanted to watch this movie in the theatre but like most movies these days, it disappeared by the time I could make my moves. Not to blame the movies though - it's my reflexes. Anyway, Miskil recommended this movie again and endorsed it as one of the funny movies she sa and I decided to get myself a CD and watch it.
'Tere Bin Laden' is the story of a young Pakistani TV journalist whose sole aim is to make it to America and earn a reputation as a hot shot journalist there. He actually gets a visa to got to the USA but his ravings and rantings on the place as he practices reading news headlines aloud (liberally laced with words such as bomb, Osama, Taliban etc) get him arrested and deported back. Back in Karachi the young reporter (Ali) approaches the US Embassy under various disguises to get his Visa - but is rejected - for life. He approaches a local travel agent to send him to the US. That guy tells him that he will get him a passport under the name of a dead guy - only the cost will be Rs. 2 lakhs. Ali knows its steep and he has to raise it somehow.
Ali returns to his daily job at Dhank TV, a small, falling to pieces, affair run by Majid Khan and his small team of Ali (reporter), Gul (cameraman), Forget his name (editor). The TV channel covers some really boring events - such as healthy chicken competitions. While covering the chicken competitions Ali spots Noor, a chicken farmer whose champion chicken, Sikander, wins the competition. Now Noor has a striking resemblance to Osama and here is where Ali gets the brainwave - get an interview from Noor posing as Osama and sell it to his boss for a tidy sum which can be used to fund his getaway. Now Noor will not do that willingly since he is quite happy with his chicken and eggs so they con him into it by telling him that they are interviewing him and his chicken farm. They also get an Arabic translator (their editor), a voice over artist cum RJ, Quereshi, who can imitate Osama, and a make up artist, Zoya, who has aspirations of owning a beauty parlor. The team gets together and pulls off the hoax, sells it to Majid Khan of Dhank TV and makes their packet.
Soon as the CD of Osama warning the US of dire consequences hits the air, all hell breaks loose. The US Intelligence lands up in Pakistan, the US Embassy clams up, the travel agent shuts shop (making it impossible for Ali to go to the US) and so on. The US starts bombing Afghanistan, starts a search for the informer who got the news and things start getting hot. The trail leads to Majid Khan who claims he never saw the informer.
Meanwhile the gang realises that they are in trouble and decide to make another CD where Osama calls for a cease fire. Somehow, they get this interview done, giving everyone a route to escape including the US Intelligence Chief. Ali is invited to the US by the US Journalists Association or something like that, Gul accompanies him, Noor and Zoya marry and all's well.
Tere Bin Ladeb is breezy, funny and certainly worth a watch. Or more than one watch. I really liked the characters, all of them, very loveable and likeable and very real. Including poor Sikander - the only martyr in the whole story. Go get your CD!
'Tere Bin Laden' is the story of a young Pakistani TV journalist whose sole aim is to make it to America and earn a reputation as a hot shot journalist there. He actually gets a visa to got to the USA but his ravings and rantings on the place as he practices reading news headlines aloud (liberally laced with words such as bomb, Osama, Taliban etc) get him arrested and deported back. Back in Karachi the young reporter (Ali) approaches the US Embassy under various disguises to get his Visa - but is rejected - for life. He approaches a local travel agent to send him to the US. That guy tells him that he will get him a passport under the name of a dead guy - only the cost will be Rs. 2 lakhs. Ali knows its steep and he has to raise it somehow.
Ali returns to his daily job at Dhank TV, a small, falling to pieces, affair run by Majid Khan and his small team of Ali (reporter), Gul (cameraman), Forget his name (editor). The TV channel covers some really boring events - such as healthy chicken competitions. While covering the chicken competitions Ali spots Noor, a chicken farmer whose champion chicken, Sikander, wins the competition. Now Noor has a striking resemblance to Osama and here is where Ali gets the brainwave - get an interview from Noor posing as Osama and sell it to his boss for a tidy sum which can be used to fund his getaway. Now Noor will not do that willingly since he is quite happy with his chicken and eggs so they con him into it by telling him that they are interviewing him and his chicken farm. They also get an Arabic translator (their editor), a voice over artist cum RJ, Quereshi, who can imitate Osama, and a make up artist, Zoya, who has aspirations of owning a beauty parlor. The team gets together and pulls off the hoax, sells it to Majid Khan of Dhank TV and makes their packet.
Soon as the CD of Osama warning the US of dire consequences hits the air, all hell breaks loose. The US Intelligence lands up in Pakistan, the US Embassy clams up, the travel agent shuts shop (making it impossible for Ali to go to the US) and so on. The US starts bombing Afghanistan, starts a search for the informer who got the news and things start getting hot. The trail leads to Majid Khan who claims he never saw the informer.
Meanwhile the gang realises that they are in trouble and decide to make another CD where Osama calls for a cease fire. Somehow, they get this interview done, giving everyone a route to escape including the US Intelligence Chief. Ali is invited to the US by the US Journalists Association or something like that, Gul accompanies him, Noor and Zoya marry and all's well.
Tere Bin Ladeb is breezy, funny and certainly worth a watch. Or more than one watch. I really liked the characters, all of them, very loveable and likeable and very real. Including poor Sikander - the only martyr in the whole story. Go get your CD!
Article in the Indian Express - September 12, 2010
This article appeared in my Sunday column 'Un Intended' in The New Indian Express on September 12, 2010.
WHAT HAPPENS WHILE BOWLING A NO BALL
Harimohan Paruvu
Such a hue and cry is being made about the fixing episode. ‘Players are bowling no balls and making millions’, cry angry fans worldwide. Though everyone appears to be bowling no balls deliberately these days, fact is that it is not easy to bowl no balls in such situations. Only few can. Let us now understand the fixee’s (fixed player’s) mind, so one can appreciate his special skills.
To bowl a no ball in such an atmosphere calls for great integrity, alacrity and skill. Firstly, the players are suddenly required to do something on purpose instead of purposelessly pottering away on the field for days on end which is what cricketers normally do. All their life, in careers spanning over decades, bowlers bowl ball after ball, hoping something may happen – maybe a wicket, maybe a no ball, maybe a boundary. But now for the first time, responsibility has been fixed. Oops! Things must happen as planned. One no ball on the 5th ball of the 9th over please.
Fixee gets into peak preparedness practicing no balls at nets. Good. Match starts. Is this the 9th over or the 8th over he asks the 12th man nervously. He checks the scoreboard repeatedly, counts with his fingers, strikes off lines on his face cream after each over like Robinson Crusoe. Cannot afford to miss the blasted over. A doubt gnaws suddenly. Will the captain give him the required over? He trains a sharp eye on the captain for signs of betrayal. But the captain is busy. He has many responsibilities. There are other balls to be bowled as well.
Captain beckons. Fixee is relieved. He smiles widely. Whatever happens I must bowl five balls in this over he thinks. Sixth ball can go to hell. Hey, but if I am injured on the fourth ball, am I insured? He looks desperately at the stands to clarify. Nothing. He looks at the heavens. Dark clouds. OMG. What if it rains? Have they put that clause in? Will the Duckworth Lewis method be used? Do these chaps even know of D&L? He runs in to bowl the four balls quickly.
‘No ball,’ cries the umpire. Fixee is upset. He knows it’s not a no ball. He’s the expert on no balls. Now he has to bowl another ball. Sh##, now is the fifth ball the 5th ball or the sixth ball the 5th ball? God, he cries out in agony, let me go with the 5th. Should I run smoothly or should I stutter and splutter? And how big a no ball should I bowl? 2 inches, 6 inches, 1 foot, jump over the batsman? Why were they not clear about all this? What if I miss bowling a no ball with all this confusion? Will I get another chance the next ball, or is that ball fixed for someone else?
Ah. The big ball. Fixee is about to bowl his fifth ball and stops midway in cold sweat. What if the cranky umpire does not spot the no ball? He is not spotting anything anyway. If he does not, should I point it out to him? In the spirit of the game? The captain can help. We can insist that the umpire declare it a no ball. Third umpire intervention. Hey, maybe the captain can shoot it on his mobile phone as proof. If he misses, will the tv cameramen get it? Have they been fixed? If not, how do I prove my integrity to these guys?
‘No ball!’ Aaah! Yes, I did it! Hey, why is the lad celebrating?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)