Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Streaks of Madness?

Have you experienced this yet? Everyone at some point in life experiences streaks of madness. I cannot tell about the frequency though. In my case, I often come under attack and quite enjoy it. Sometimes, I get this runaway syndrome. Within minutes, I turn into this seriously impulsive person with variant streaks of madness.

At least, I am human enough to realize the madness and write about it. How many people can do that ;)?

I feel like giving it all up and heading to the Himalayas. Running through lush-green meadows (no, not only to bump into SRK!) till I reach the endless vastness of the sea--- that is one of my favorite dreams. I love nature I guess and appreciate the hues of green and blue and often shades of bright orange, fiery red and golden yellow. Sunflower would be a flower which instantly makes one smile and rose is one that can evoke emotions of love and pain at the same time. But of course, none of the colors would look so gorgeous had queen color white not complemented each of them. Sea waves without the white madness would be dull. Isn't it?

The reason I am writing all this?? Well., the runaway syndrome as I mentioned in the opening paragraph. The writing will have a disconnect, the mind will be set free, without any restraints or constraints anywhere. I realize I enjoy Neruda's poetry much more during these unannounced bouts of craziness. 

People sometimes mindlessly binge on junk food, ice-creams, chocolates et al. Not that they are always happy or depressed. They may have the 'streak of madness' in them. After all, not many people would think of jumping from a 32 floor building for sheer fun, and not be suicidal at all. They may not attempt it, but the thought will strike nevertheless.

Madness is best enjoyed when you have company. People who share the same passion for madness often do crazy things. The joy is doubled when you have company.

But again, there are people who put a break to your madness and bring you back to life. They come in the form of parents, spouses, children, friends, colleagues, and siblings. It is healthy to have such people around you who value a balanced life. They help you keep your checks and balances intact.


Having said all that, a roller-coaster life is still more fun. It is true that there are low-lows, but the high-highs are what make life worth living :). It is lovely to be on a high or feel tipsy without a drop of alchohol- to let your mind wander and dream all day without feeling guilty.

Simple joys of life like being by the sea, listening to the birds twitter, sensing the flowers breathe (try observing), soaking in music 24X7, or enjoying 'dogspeak' (language in which dogs communicate)---can refresh and pep-you up in no time.

The most precious things in life are for free. You just need to figure out a way to savour them.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Guzaarish… love is thy fate

I am not an active blogger... rather I am not a 'blogger' in the true sense of the term. I am more of a 'pen and paper' person and like to scribble notes in my diary and keep it for publishing in print for some book I plan to write some day.

However, there is some energy that tempted me to attempt writing a review of this 'oh-so-marvelous' movie Guzaarish. I am completely smitten by the movie in its totality. We often make a big deal about falling in love. But this film is all about 'rising in love' and 'diving into life'.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali hits the bull’s eye with this one after a bouncer of a Saawariya. Notwithstanding some forgettable loopholes in the movie as the drama unfolds, Bhansali creates ‘magic’. And he scores an ace with his debut as a music director too.

If you are thinking why you should watch Guzaarish when it may be a disturbing emotional drama, I would say it is the opposite. The life of a quadriplegic and the issue of ‘Euthanasia’ have been portrayed sensibly and sensitively. The narrative is tenderly woven with love and gives a different dimension to this weirdly worldly emotion.
Hrithik Roshan has lived up to his name yet again. Hrithik's acting, killer-looks, dialog delivery, dance moves—his overall screen presence will touch your heart, as if Ethan Mascarenhas is indeed Hrithik Roshan. And so far, critics who have maintained that in any movie, Hrithik outgrows the protagonist's character will have to revisit their stand now.

If someone plans to make a Hindi movie on Jesus Christ, Hrithik or John Abraham should be the obvious choices, I guess.

If Hrithik impressed all, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been the true 'surprise package' in Guzaarish. Ash did it with her expressions, her histrionics, and of course her divine looks. She was so believably incredible that I wondered if she is really in love with Hrithik!

Aishwarya sizzles gracefully in the song sequence 'Udi'. Sunidhi Chauhan's soulful rendition and Sofia’s performance, especially when she enacts the song, before doing the lip-sync is remarkable. And, though not a Rai admirer (before Guzaarish), I am sure no other actor could have done justice to this song but Aishwarya. As a kid, girls often have this huge crush on the mirror and like spending hours enacting song sequences in front of the mirror and admiring themselves ;). In this scene, Ash reminds me of those crazy, uncanny moments when we shed all inhibitions and emphasize on the child-like innocence within us. Ash performs with such ease and dexterity, that this scene becomes the ‘it’ moment of the movie... to me, at least.

At another level, Aditya Ray Kapur impresses again as the 'cute-boy-next-door'. Even the characterization of Shernaz Patel as Devyani is noteworthy.

Well, to sum it up then, if you have laughed, if you have cried, and if you have felt love while watching the movie, that is the true success of Guzaarish. Sofia loved and lost, but she loved nevertheless. Timeless, selfless love.

If I had the power, I would probably rename the movie as 'Mutthi bhar zindagi'. Please go watch Guzaarish now, if you haven’t already.