As we are nearing to the very well publicized and well known "end-of-the-world" year of 2012, the momentum of its discussions seems to have picked up. Doomsday inspired forwards are already doing the rounds. And the movie "2012" seems to do nothing but help the eh.. "news" spread around faster.
Now the makers of the film were a couple of smart ass people who thought "Hey! Lets make a movie about the end of the world. People are always suckers for special effects and doomsday stories. It would rake in the moolah anyways..". And were they wrong??
7 out of 10 people i meet believe the world WILL come to an end in 2012.
6 of these 7 think the end-of -the-world will be something like this..

Lucky astronaut right?? :p

Now one thinks it will be something like.. this.

Fat chance according to me..
You know TunTun?? Yes.. its a chance fatter than her also.

And the other remaining skeptics.. well.. i guess their feelings are very well summed up by the following cartoon.


I like this one :D

Anyways, coming back to the movie "2012", what does it teach us?? Well.. eh.. quite a lot of stuff. Read on..
1. Actors with receding hairlines can STILL star as main leads in multi-million dollar movies.. (seriously?? John Cusack?? WHY?!)
2. People can have all the time in the (going-to-end) world to get all mushy mushy even as an earthquake the magnitude of my UNIX marks is ripping an entire city apart.
3. Even in the hugely shitty situation of the world coming to an end, the final onus of saving the world falls on the hero (Yes, even in a Hollywood movie) :|
4. An Indian scientist wearing a kurta is the one who predicts the world is going to go K-A-B-O-O-M, even as his wife makes fish curry and his hindi is like korean.
5. The American president's daughter is hot, and she ends up with the guy who actually blows the whistle on this whole world-ending thingy.
6. News cameras happen to catch their cities crumbling down to dust with nothing much happening to them. (Only Aaj Tak can do that)
etc..

Now, a majority of the people reading this blog will be finishing their respective degrees around the time the world goes K-A-B-O-O-M(i like this :p). So is it even worthwhile studying?? I did not make the mistake of not putting this question to King Innocent from class and this is what he had to say..

"Duead (dude), Live life as if there's no tomorrow and study like there is always a tomorrow"
(at which point i remember that i have my EC lab internal tomorrow and my preparation is worse than Salman Khan's hair) :| SIGH!

Anyways.. coming back to the King's comment..

It was a "Whoa!!" moment. Even though I've read versions of this a couple of times, something like THIS coming from someone like HIM was unexpected. So all you dim-wits asking yourself that question, dubara mat poochna! Not even to yourself!

So there it is. Go to Start->Turn Off computer->Turn Off and open that book you've been eying since long( NOT the bunny cover one.. your study-walla book) and don't forget to 'dust off the dust'. Nor will i :)

Adios! Happy living!!

In case one wonders what IN THE WORLD does the title of this post mean.. it means "I promise" or more precisely "I PROMISE!!". Now any rightly sane thinking, normal, non-psychic mind(from here on to be referred to as "rstnnpm") has the right to wonder next why IN THE WORLD is the heading of my new post in marathi?? Well.. My sources( credible, senile and non-lying) tell me that the latest person to be visiting my blog is none other than the chief of MNS, Mr.Raj.T. And as we all know, he prefers his speeches, his papers, his movies, his MLA's, his dog's bark and now his favorite blogs to be in marathi, I thought with the latest developments the least i could do was have my post's topic in marathi.

Makes sense??...

Well. Any rstnnpm can very well ask me that as my current physical avatar is in Bangalooru, why IN THE WORLD should i fear the Maratha Lord..

Now the answer to THAT is something which is way beyond a rstnnpm :p You see.. i have people who visit my blog in a while(and that's a long while I'm talking here). And when they do visit after this long while they find no new post and with every recurrence of such an instance, the long while becomes a long long while and so on.. and thus due to this non-terminating loop, my blog may become as useless as Rakhi Sawant's shows..


As a very sad result of this.. thing, i wanted to tell a very emphatic and from-the heart sorry to all the people who DO visit my blog.
But then again, just a "I am sorry for being such a busy dumb ass blogger who doesn't have time for his own blog" on my blog would look quite drab and, to say the least, uninteresting. So i came up with this novel and innovative idea of turning my apology itself into a post! ( tatararaaaaaaa!) B-)

And the final result of this exercise is what you have almost come to an end of..
So.. apologies to Mr.Raj.T, Mrs/Ms. Rakhi Sawant and most of all to YOU! :)
I shapat! that i shall blog regularly on this blog! And not let it turn into another waste of internet memory :p
All rstnnpm's and non-rstnnpm's.. please feel free to comment! :p
Cheerz!
P.S: Please excuse my frequent use of "IN THE WORLD". Its a phrase i am quite fond of :p. And also do visit my blog just as frequently as i use my favorite phrase, you may just find another blasted post of mine ;)

Check out this video.. I won "The Really Tough Movie Quiz" on Rajeev Masand's Now Showing on CNN-IBN..
You can also paste the link below into your address bar to watch it on ibnlive.com
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/103828/really-tough-movie-quiz-answers-and-winners.html

Rating: 2.5/5

What the director should get is a dead fish wrapped in BLUE's poster. So much for India's first 'underwater' film.



My first reaction after seeing BLUE on a large PVR screen was a despair filled "WHY??". The movie had everything a blockbuster needs.. Bankable stars(i'm using quite a modest adjective!), a sound team which has 3 Oscars among themselves, awesome,never before seen action sequences aided by a crew member from the epic POTC team, two of the hottest ladies around in Bollywood, who add considerable oomph AND a producer who doesn't know where to stop adding zeroes on the cheque.

Then where's the hole in BLUE's boat..?? Well, technically the boat has a base made of paper. Even a 6-year old will laugh at the plain-jane kind of story which the director seemed to have made up as the actors were preparing for their action scenes. The plot is simply ridiculous and predictable, except for the lame ending which frankly even i wouldn't have dared to predict! Its the story about a hidden treasure which can be found only by Sagar, played so boringly and lazily by Mr."I-Have-A-Paunch"Dutt. Aarav, played in such a predictable manner by Akshay, coaxes Sagar(sethji as he so annoyingly calls him) throughout the first half to find the treasure in what he describes as a win-win situation.
In a silly sub plot, Zayed is accommodated as sanjay's chota bhai who also needs Bade Miyan to find the treasure to shake off some goons(lead by Rahul Dev) on his tail. While Lara Dutta plays Sanjay's squeeze, Katrina Kaif looks mean and ravishing in a guest appearance. What follow are dazzling bike-chases, amazing underwater thrills, nice hummable songs and a crapbag story. There is a particular scene where Lara's character, in the midst of a shootout, cries "Stop! We can solve the matter by talking". Eeeeech!! The script and dialogues are way below standard and continuously make you squirm in your seat.

Predictably, as you leave the auditorium, you feel like having eaten a cake with all sorts of exotic toppings on it, but without a cake! Beneath all the stunts, songs and stars, BLUE is very hollow and leaves the viewer with an empty feeling. Not a big action fan,the only thing i loved in the movie were the songs and the BG score by A.R Rahman. Die-hard action fans who don't give a damn to a film's storyline will however find BLUE an interesting watch. But for the general population who do require the presence of the bare essentials of a film, BLUE falls way below standards and not even Lara Dutta running around in handkerchief like clothes can save the film from its destined fate.

So one of the most awaited album, BLUE, is out. Another A.R Rahman delight! The songs are from the most diverse genres that can be possible. Here I list all the characteristics of each song, as i felt it when i heard.. BLUE!!

Chiggy Wiggy- I'm guessing this one was made with an intention to be a crowd puller, courtesy Ms.Kylie Minogue. Fans were kinda disappointed when they heard this one, mainly because this was one of the first songs to come on T.V and it seemed very averagish. Definitely made for Kylie, not the way Rahman works. Even the hindi part with the punjabi influence falls flat. Average stuff.

Aaj Dil Gustakh Hai- Without doubt the best song of Blue for me. When i heard this song I immediately got the Rahman essence, with all the awesome chords and the very catchy tune. Sukhwinder and Shreya totally do justice to this BEAUTIFUL song. Look out for the way the tune progresses. The Rahman touch is definitely felt. Some people may take time to like this song, though it was a winner for me from the beginning. And the video rocks too! ;-)

Fiqrana-This was the song which Farhan Akhtar refused to sing(screw him), even on Rahman's behest.I was kinda surprised when i heard this one actually. Coz it was very... hmm.. odd? i cant exactly say what made me sort of surprised to hear this song in a Rahman album. Nonetheless, the song IS very good. Though the voice is heavy with effects, it still sounds very nice.

Bhoola tujhe- A very soulful song sung by Rashid Ali(of Kabhie Kabhie aditi fame). Heart touching lyrics and a beautiful voice. Though the song will SURELY make you remember the very similar track from Jaane Tu.. called Kahin to. Still, a pleasant listen.

Blue theme- ROCKING!! This track is simply awesome!! I love the heavy-duty punjabi vocals and the chorus shouting BLUE! Complete with power beats, nice chorus and a punjabi feel, this track will surely make every one swoon. One of my favourite contenders for the best track Vs aaj dil gustakh hai.

Rehnuma- Totally outta the box. This track has a nice blues kind of theme albeit with strings which remind you of the escape sequence music from Shawshank Redemption. Shreya Ghoshal again proves why she's better than Sunidhi Chauhan and this song takes her singing to all new heights. I'm guessing this is Rahman's personally favorite track. This song is not something that every listener may like but whoever does like it will like it for a very long time.

Yaar mila tha- Definitely the weakest track in the album. Its a monotonously dragging song, though i'm guessing this track will have its own share of fans. The vocals by Udit Narayan and Madhushree is pretty normal. Not the traditional Rahman stuff.

So these are the tracks from Blue as I see it. Though i suggest everyone to experience the album on their own terms and decide. As Rahman sir says.. Drown in the music of BLUE.

Reality shows, they seem to be everywhere! You tune to any channel during prime time peak hours and chances are that you will find a reality show begging to course its way through to your eyes. They range from majorly singing and dancing contests to other more physically demanding shows. The question however is how real ARE these reality shows? When you see highly respected music directors, singers, actors and other public figures fighting like a pack of wild dogs over an issue so trivial that it makes you say "puhleeezee", it also makes you think over how authentic are these shows and these 'emotions' that these celebrities put on display with such panache. Are these real feelings that are shown? Or are they just another script or project that these judges have to perform?

One thing is for certain. Nothing gathers more TRP's for channels than a reality show. It is a sad state of affair in India, that while brave soldiers are dying in the cross-fire between Pakistan and India, people are crying their heart out for an eliminated contestant of some singing contest who is anyways guaranteed a 'break' into the music industry with one or two songs by the music director judge of that show. It won't be long however before he too fades from public memory and passes into the oblivion (anyone heard of abhishek sawant lately? Or was it abhijit??) What is clear is that these shows are a shortcut method for tinsel town aspirants to hog some of the limelight and get their 15 seconds of fame before its somebody else's turn to do that. Take for example a reality show for bollywood aspirants(I don't quite remember the name.. I think it was Cine Star ki Khoj or something). After a long month or two of pure drama and sensationalism, the winner was crowned with indications of him becoming the next superstar of big bad Bollywood. What happened? I think he was offered some B-grade movie, which he promptly signed and thus ended his career on that very dotted line. These dreams of a quick rise to fame has devoured countless artists who had talent enough to forge their way to the top if not for more patience. Famous TV personality Shekhar Suman says, "I ended my acting career by choosing some wrong projects in my youth. I will however make sure that Adyayan doesn't do that". Lucky for you Adhyayan. But what about the other countless artists who have no godfather to guide them in this industry? Their only way to get noticed is through reality shows, and thus they unknowingly become a part of this great TV tamasha.

Sadly, kids too have become a part of this phenomenon. Shameless parents let their little girls gyrate to songs with obscene lyrics and choreography and while the judges scrutinize their performances with a hawk's eye, the children are unable to handle their pre-mature exposure to this big bad world and end up breaking down and fainting on national television. The parents of these kids think they are promoting their ward's talent, unknowingly doing irreparable damage to their mental state and depriving them of a childhood which would otherwise have been care-free and fun-filled like it was supposed to be. And if all this drama and halla-gulla surrounding their lives was not enough, these children grow up to be nothing extraordinary and just become another brick in the wall. The singing participants may end up as group singers that provide a background to the main singer and the dancing participants may end up as a troup of 20-30 odd people replicating the moves of the herione. Some may go up to the extent of becoming assistant choreographers, but thats as far as the reality shows can possibly take them.

Its not that there is no talent in these shows, but the talent is always shrouded in too much unnecessary drama and emotion that tends to take away the spot-light from the performance to the views of the judges. The fight among the judges, with music and black and grey stills, becomes the centre point and the brilliant song or dance is soon forgotten. With such kind of a system reality shows may start off by promoting talent, but end up promoting just the TRP's of its channel. Realty shows definitely need a lot more reality and more spotlight on the performances. Till that happens, watch the new ghamasan vishw-yudh drama on Zee TV. You just might like it.

This is a wonderful song by The Black Eyed Peas from their new album The E.N.D.


I can't go any further then this
I want you so badly, it's my biggest wish

I spent my time just thinkin thinkin thinkin bout you
Every single day yes, I'm really missin missin you
And all those things we use to use to use to do
Hey girl, wuz up, it use to be just me and you
I spent my time just thinkin thinkin thinkin bout you
Every single day, yes I'm really missin missin you
And all those things we use to use to use to do
Hey girl wuz up, wuz up, wuz up, wuz up

Meet me halfway, right at the borderline
That's where I'm gonna wait, for you
I'll be lookin out, night n day
Took my heart to the limit, and this is where i'll stay
I can't go any further then this
I want you so bad it's my only wish

Girl,i travel round the world and even sail the seven seas
Across the universe I go to other galaxies
Just tell me where you want, just tell me where you wanna to meet
I navigate myself myself to take me where you be
Cause girl I want, i, i, I want you right now
I travel uptown (town) I travel downtown
I wanna to have you around (round) like every single day
I love you alway..way


Can you meet me half way (I'll meet you halfway)
Right at the borderline
That's where i'm gonna wait, for you
I'll be lookin out, night n day
Took my heart to the limit, and this is where i'll stay
I can't go any further then this
I want you so bad it's my only wish
I can't go any further then this
I want you so bad it's my only wish

Let's walk the bridge, to the other side
Just you and I (just you and I)
I will fly, i'll fly the skies, for you and I (for you and I)
I will try, until I die, for you and i, for you and i, for for you and i,
For for you and i, for for you and i, for you and i

Can you meet me half way (yup yup)
Can you meet me half way (yup yup)
Can you meet me half way (yup yup)
Can you meet me half way (yup yup)
Meet me half way, right at the borderline
That's where i'm gonna wait, for you
I'll be lookin out, night n day
Took my heart to the limit, and this is where i'll stay
I can't go any further then this
I want you so bad it's my only wish
I can't go any further then this
I want you so bad it's my only wish

Here are the lyrics to one of my all time favorite song "I Cried For You" by Katie Melua.

You're beautiful so silently
It lies beneath a shade of blue
It struck me so violently
When I looked at you

But others pass, they never pause
To feel that magic in your hand
To me you're like a wild rose
They never understand why

I cried for you
When the sky cried for you
And when you went
I became a hopeless drifter
But this life was not for you
Though I learned from you
That beauty need only be a whisper

I'll cross the sea for a different world
With your treasure, a secret for me to hold

In many years they may forget
This love of ours or that we met
They may not know
How much you meant to me

I cried for you
And the sky cried for you
And when you went
I became a hopeless drifter
But this life was not for you
Though I learned from you
That beauty need only be a whisper

Without you now I see
How fragile the world can be
And I know you've gone away
But in my heart you'll always stay

I cried for you
When the sky cried for you
And when you went
I became a hopeless drifter
But this life was not for you
Though I learned from you
That beauty need only be a whisper
That beauty need only be a whisper

The speeding motorcycle took the sharp corner so fast in the darkness that both policemen in the pursuing car shouted,"Whoa!" Sergeant Fisher slammed his large foot on the brake, thinking that the boy who was riding pillion was sure to be flung under his wheels; however, the motorbike made the turn without unseating either of its riders, and with a wink of its red tail lights, vanished up the narrow side street.

"We've got 'em now!" cried PC Anderson excitedly. "That's a dead end!"

Leaning hard on the steering wheel and crashing his gears, Fisher scraped half the paint off the flank of the car as he forced it up the alleyway in pursuit.

There in the headlights sat their quarry, stationary at last after a quarter of an hour's chase. The two riders were trapped between a towering brickwall and the police car, which was now crawling towards them like some growling luminous-eyes predator.

There was so little space between the car doors and the walls of the alley that Fisher and Anderson had difficulty extricating themselves from the vehicle. It injured their dignity to have to inch, crab-like, towards the miscreants. Fisher dragged his generous belly along the wall, tearing buttons off his shirt as he went, and finally snapping off the wing mirror with his backside.

"Get off the bike!" he bellowed at the smirking youths, who sat basking in the flashing blue light as though enjoying it.

They did as they were told, finally pulling free from the broken wing mirror, Fisher glared at them. They seemed to be in their late teens. The one who had been driving had long black hair, his insolent good looks reminded Fisher unpleasantly of his daughter's guitar-playing, layabout boyfriend. The second boy also had black hair, though his was short and stuck up in all directions; he wore glasses and a broad grin. Both were dressed in t-shirts emblazoned with a large golden bird; the emblem, no doubt, of some deafening, timeless rock band.

"No helmet!" Fisher yelled, pointing from one uncovered head to the other. "Exceeding the speed limit by-by a considerable amount!" (In fact, the speed registered had been greater than Fisher was prepared to accept that any motorcycle could travel.) "Failure to stop for the police!"

"We'd have loved to stop for a chat," said the boy in glasses,"only we were trying--"

"Don't get smart-you two are in a heap of trouble!" snarled Anderson. "Names!"

"Names?" repeated the long-haired driver."Er-Well, let's see. There's Wilberforce...Bathsheba...Elvendork..."

"And what's nice about that one is, you can use it for a boy OR a girl," said the boy in glasses.

"Oh, our names, did you mean?" asked the first, as Anderson spluttered with rage."You should've said! This here is James Potter, and I'm Sirius Black!"

"Things'll be seriously black for you in a minute, you cheeky little-"

But neither James nor Sirius was paying attention. They were suddenly as alert as gundogs, staring past Fisher and Anderson, over the roof of the police car, at the dark mouth of the alley. Then, with identical, fluid movements, they reached into their back pockets.

For the space of a heartbeat both policemen imagined guns gleaming at them, but a second later they saw that the motorcyclists had drawn nothing more than-

"Drumsticks?" jeered Anderson. "Right pair of jokers, aren't you? Right, we're arresting you on a charge of--"

But Anderson never got to name the charge. James and Sirius had shouted something incomprehensible, and the beams from the headlights had moved.

The policemen wheeled around, then staggered backwards. Three men were flying-actually flying- up the alley on broomsticks-and at the same moment,the police car was rearing up on its back wheels.

Fisher's knee bucked; as he sat down hard; Anderson tripped over Fisher's legs and fell on top of him, as flump-bang-crunch- they heard the mean on brooms slam into the suspended car and fall, apparently insensible, to the ground, while broken bits of broomstick clattered down around them.

The motorbike had roared into life again. His mouth hanging open, Fisher mustered the strength to look back at the two teenagers.

"Thanks very much!" called Sirius over the throb of the engine."We owe you one!"

"Yeah, nice meeting you!" said James. "And don't forget: Elvendork! It's unisex!"

There was an earth-shaking crash, and Fisher and Anderson threw their arms around each other in fright; their car had just fallen back to the ground. Now it was the motorcycle's turn to rear. Before the policemen's disbelieving eyes, it took off into thin air: James and Sirius zoomed away into the night sky, their tail light twinkling behind them like a vanishing ruby.

From the prequel I am not working on-but that was fun! J.K. Rowling.2008