Movies & Me

People always ask me the reason for my fascination for movies. Some even criticize/ridicule me for wasting my time talking about movies and writing reviews about it. So, I felt that it is time to express what it is really about movies that makes me so passionate and makes me want to talk about it all the time.

Movie making is a multibillion dollar industry which rakes in a lot of attention. It is a source of income for a lot of people and is responsible for some serious money transactions, especially in the past decade. However, my interest in this industry isn’t about the money. It is about how the industry functions. If we have to make comparisons, it’s like any other project which gets initiated, designed, developed, tested and deployed. The only difference is – there are no variables to restrict you.

The art of storytelling has been around for centuries. Our grandparents used to do it all the time when we weren’t able to sleep. Those stories would churn our imagination, give us hope, give us confidence to know that good always wins over evil; future is what we make of it based on the choices which we have. I always felt that certain genres of movies helped evoke the same sentiment in me as those stories. When Hulk smashes Loki to the ground, when Batman outsmarts the Joker, when the Titans put aside racial discrimination and score the perfect season, it gives me hope that good and logic would always prevail. For those 2 hours, I am in a land where all the real world nonsense and injustice is left behind and the perfect/just world takes shape and progresses in front of me.

Heroism has always been something which mankind looks up to. It gives a sense of comfort knowing that someone always is around to save the day. Through movies, I sense the same comfort which heroes give. In fact some movies try to convey that it is always the truth, the hero within each and every individual would always prevail and save the day for yourself and the millions who might be affected. This kind of comfort, the kind of confidence makes me marvel at the way things are laid out in the imperfect world and gives me the courage/inspiration to fight and overthrow all the imperfections that are around me.

Life is cruel and it is unfair. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon nor does everyone have a godfather or even that stroke of luck which would make their life decent. For some people, things just don’t happen. In such a depressing situation, in such a mundane lifestyle, you always need something to thrill you, to bring a smile on your face. That’s what a weekend at the movies does for me. It entertains me. It makes me laugh. It makes me forget all nonsense that may be happening with my life at that point in time. It saves me (for 2 hours at least).

Writing about something which you love and gives you a rush is something which is a tricky thing to do. You have to keep a control over your emotions and dish out things which are fair and logical while sharing your opinions with the world. People have opinions on each other, politics, and sports. I have an opinion on movies. Simple. People struggle to write 140 characters opinions. I manage to write whole 2 pages of it. Simple. Giving opinions for something that I love is what liberates me. I can be belittled by a few but I cannot give it up just because of those few. I know that there are a lot of person who appreciate my opinion and that’s what I give. It is a sense of discussion that comes to light when I write those words. It is my way of communicating to the whole world what I think about what I love. Is it wrong to do that? Is it wrong to convey that? Think about it.

Social Monster

Social Media has become an integral part of our lives today. Facebook, Google+, Twitter have now become our primary source of news and current affairs rather than the traditional printed newspapers or news websites. Social media has also become an important medium to create awareness about the important things- social injustice, political atrocities, corruption and not so important things- parties, music concerts, upcoming movies etc. The power of social media was most notably on display during the Arab Spring crisis, India against Corruption movement to name a few.

On one hand social media has become the tool that can bring the powers that be- down on their knees and on the other hand, social media is also filled with people who are using it to propagate their own hidden agendas. There are pages on Facebook that incite hatred- against Muslims, against Christians, against Hindus- religion doesn't matter. The hate mongers are very secular and can be found in all shapes, sizes, country and religion. There are people- "Trolls" as they are usually referred to on Social media- who spend their days baiting people online by posting derogatory comments, bullying people online and going so far as to deface memorial pages created for people who are no longer with us.

I recently came across a campaign that has been initiated against Facebook to remove pages that encourage violence against women. APPARENTLY it's funny to kick your girlfriend in the uterus if she won't make you a sandwich. Vile content such as this on Facebook, inciting rape and violence against women, has sparked a growing social media campaign aimed at forcing the site to take a stronger stance against gender-based hate speech. I also don't particularly find the idea of kicking a man in the nuts (another FB page) particularly funny. The photos on some of these pages are just disturbing- women who have been badly beaten and bruised. There are morons out there who like these photos and I am not talking about a 100 likes. I am talking 100K likes. The comments are absolutely appalling and disturbing.

Social media is a powerful tool- but when in the hands of tools, it can just easily become a deadly weapon. There have been countless cases of Facebook bullying reported all over the world where the victims have been so distraught that they have committed or tried to commit suicide. Most of these people are in their teens- out having a good time and then the next day- their embarrassing photos and videos are splashed all over the internet. We all have been drunk or stupid or both in our lifetime but does that mean we are fair game for bullying on the internet? Mobile phone operators have made it easy for people to be on the internet all the time. The concepts of privacy, personal space, basic respect for people and beliefs has gotten lost in our desperate need to be the coolest, most connected person. More and more teenagers are growing up to be insecure and sociopathic- more prone to predators lurking in the anonymous, shadowy world of the internet. We were all warned of the "Stranger Danger" when we were little. But the internet has made the people who are known to us more dangerous than the strangers.

We can all do our little bit to stop the rot- stop liking and re-tweeting anything that incites hatred, is misogynistic or misandryistic. Really it is that simple.

Superheroes

Quite often I am asked as to why I am so fascinated by superheroes. What is it about these comic book movies that I simply love and marvel about for weeks after watching those? Well, honestly, this isn’t something which I truly focused on in the past. However, recently I was intrigued in terms of how deep my interest has gone into making these characters, these Super Heroes, a part of my life! That is when I began introspecting…

When you are a kid, everything around you seems supernatural. In fact, the very 1^st superhero you meet is your father. From your small beady eyes, you see this colossus of a man picking you up as if you are nothing, move around heavy chairs and furniture as if it's as light as a feather! You seem to think that “Wow, he can really do it! I want to be like him”.

Times change, perspectives change. However, there is one basic thought which still remains within you. A thought that gives you confidence during your childhood and right upto your adulthood – your parents are the “goto” people for you. They are the people who would make things happen - People who can fish you out of trouble. These become the people who you believe would make things right.

As you get older, you realize that there are certain things which practically cannot be set right by your parents. Rather, it is outside their reach. Such realizations come typically when you set sail on your own life’s journey – once you leave the umbrella of protection of your parents.

All the memories of childhood go up in flames when you enter into your work place. The imaginary problems start becoming realistic as you are surrounded by cut throat competition and malpractices. As your world expands beyond your work place and you become aware/mature about the happenings around you, you tend to get dejected to see that there is no savior amongst your rank. The constant corrupt practices on display really make you think that you should either fight against it or keep mum. Even if you keep quiet, there is a little part of yourself which yearns for a savior - someone whom you used to know since you were a child. 

These conflicting thoughts reach a crescendo where you begin to get flashes of your childhood. You tend to map your current experiences and disappointments with those which happened back then. You remember that back then your parents were the ones who fought for you and pulled you out of the black hole. However, this is when practicality overrides these thoughts telling you that the problems can no longer be solved by them. That brings you to an awkward moment – you know the solution which cannot be implemented.

This conflict propels you to look for options outside your cocoon of trust. You strive to look somewhere else, some source who can give you the expected respite from the corrupt mal-practicing world. While your mind is at its most vulnerable, it turns to something that gives hope, something that makes you believe that logic and sanity would ultimately prevail.

Superheroes are a hit with children because it helps them understand the virtues of good against bad. It helps them believe that at the end of the day, good would always prevail. They give them hope and a sense of trust that whatever be the odds, whatever be the situation, good practices would always prevail.

My equation with superheroes is also the same. When you look at the world as a whole, you cant help but map the real world situations with the one which Batman encounters in Gotham or the one which Superman encounters in Metropolis or which Ironman sees when he asks Jarvis to ready his suit. The presence of these heroes in your psyche gives you hope and belief that no matter what good would always prevail. In some scenarios, it gives you inspiration to take charge and work towards a better tomorrow.

It is all upto the mind. You can take any kind of inspiration from anywhere. Then why not take hope and inspiration from something which gave you hope and inspiration since your childhood. Always remember that your 1^st superheroes were your parents. They help you always to fight your internal demons. Always look up to them if ever you find yourself alone fighting those demons in a no-win scenario.

When demons from the outside world beckon, you can always get inspired by superhero stories from your childhood. Never expect a Batman or Superman to save the day in the real world. Be the Batman and clear the Dark Night that has engulfed your world.

'Twas the Season to be Sorry

The end of year is usually meant to be joyful. After all 'tis the season to be merry... However, 2012 end was anything but. First the Sandy Hook massacre of innocent lives than the rape of innocence in the heart of a nation's capital. A 23 year old girl was brutally gangraped by six people on a private bus in the capital of India- Delhi. She and her male friend were left by the roadside to die. The nation has seen major protests not just locally but in places like Hong Kong and even Pakistan. People are demanding stricter laws for sex crimes and I dont blame them. The current punishment for rape in India is a maximum 10 year imprisonment and the accused can apply for bail and possibly lead a normal life while the wheels on the judicial system turn and turn and turn.

I am all for stricter laws but what good are the laws when they cannot or are not being enforced? The police, the judiciary and the Indian society in general is not sympathetic towards females. As a Delhiite, I will think twice before approaching a police man if I need help. Why--?? Because there is no guarantee that the policeman will not take undue advantage of my situation. Any girl who approaches police complaining about rape is usually ridiculed, not taken seriously or worst humiliated publically. Why would a woman who has already gone through hell want to go through all the bull shit again?

I was born and brought up in Delhi. I studied in a co-ed school, then did my grad and post grad there. I did not have a car of my own so travelled a lot on public transport and I did not have a mobile phone until 2002. I survived in Delhi by keeping my head down, never reacting to hooligans, going out in a private vehicle with friends and getting my brothers to pick me up after dark. This was no way to live but I knew no other way- until I went to Mumbai. As much as I love Delhi, I would say that I found Mumbai to be a safer city for women than Delhi. I and my girl friends stayed out late without the fear of being abducted. However even in Mumbai, we avoided travelling in the bus after 10 pm and never alone.

The gory details of the rape are still being released in media and social networking sites. Amidst the collective outrage of the nation, there are some people who cannot help but put the blame on the victim. Statements like "she should have known better", "what was she doing in company of a male", "she was out late, she was asking for it" are being whispered in some circles. As a female, I take umbrage at such statements. Last time I checked, India is a free country and it is the 21st century. Yet there are people who will not bat an eyelid before laying the blame on the feet of the woman. I never supported the slut walk or the concept but now I do. A woman should be able to wear anything , go out and stay out late without the fear of being ogled at or worst raped. Why is it that men cannot control there urges? If men can be turned on by a woman in a short skirt, then how are they any different from an animal humping in public?

Rape is an extreme form of violating a woman. However, there are other ways in which a woman's dignity is violated- almost daily and it goes unnoticed or is accepted as a normal behaviour. You would think that educated men don't do such things- Wrong. I have seen many well educated men- many of them my colleagues making lewd comments about female co-workers. Why..??? Simply because she is wearing a low cut blouse or a mini skirt or tight fitting trousers. Unfortunately, this kind of behavior is encouraged by the popular media. All superhit movies begin with the hero teasing the heroine at the start of the movie. The heroine shows mock outrage but falls in love with the hero anyways and they live happily ever after. People are fed this tripe and they lap it up. The moral police keeps raising objections on the lengths of the skirts or the nude photoshoot by someone but never against this crap that is aired 24*7 on TV.

It is never ok to tease/lust at a woman- no matter how long or short her skirt is. A woman should be treated with all the respect that she deserves as a human being- at all times. It is a crime to look the other way when a woman is being abused- sexually or otherwise. And most importantly, women should start treating each other with a little more respect if we want men to start respecting us. If a man thinks that committing such heinous acts make them an Alpha male, then they are grossly mistaken. In my book, this is an act of utter cowardice, an impotent attempt to exert one’s domination in this diverse civilization. 

Little Miss TipToes!!

In the unlikeliest corner of the world, you find likeminded people with whom you take time to connect with. Similar was my experience with the person whom I am going to talk about.

It all began way back in 2005 when I entered a room full of people late as usual and found myself going at the back of the pack (so to speak). During introduction time, I noticed a lot of eager faces wanting to recognize me, wanting to know me. One of those faces was of the person whom I am going to talk about.

Fate has an interesting sense of surprise. After sending us into different batches, we met again in the same project around 3-4 months later. Slowly but surely, we started interacting and came to know a lot about each other. Here is a minor lowdown on the person whom I have begun talking about.

She is a She :). A typical delhite on the outside but at heart, she has become a typical mumbaite (I know she would deny it). She is one of those people who do not have a normal life agenda. They follow their own thoughts and their own dreams. They are driven by the thought of doing something different in life and while they achieve that they try to do the mundane things which others do – follow a straight life pattern.

She is a girl of many words. Always up for a debate/discussion, she doesn’t take anything lying down. I bet she must have driven her maths/science professors crazy asking/re-asking about how the proof is a proof J.  She can and will challenge anyone whom she feels needs to be challenged! She is up front and direct and will never shy away from giving her views on anything and everything!

Her taste in movies/music is totally different from a typical girl. Actually she herself is different from a typical girl. Atleast for the most part of her character. Her music choice is something I rival – she has introduced me to some really awesome songs! Her outlook of movies and everything related to them is something I really look forward to.

Knowing her for more than 7 years, I would say that it has been long overdue that we collaborated on something as cool as this project. Its exciting to say the least!

So, without further ado, heres introducing the person whom I have been talking about – someone whom I appreciate it as a friend, someone who really looks out for me, someone who has similar thoughts as I get and someone whom I share my birthday with.

Here’s welcoming Divya Sharma and also wishing her a very Happy Birthday while I am at it! :)

Looking forward to this blog collaboration!!! :)

Introducing the Master of Disaster!

Someone once said "From small beginnings come great things". As this blog is a new beginning for my writing dream, I feel the need (not for speed) to talk to about the mastermind behind this project. 

The year 2005 was an important year. It was the year when I got my first job an moved to the fahrenheit city- Mumbai. With Mumbai came the glamor of bollywood and like all Indians, I have grown up watching hindi movies and I had (until I met him) a firm belief that the only people who abbreviated there names were mafia kingpins, drug dealers and/or smugglers  (cue KK, TK, PK) and this person can be accused of a lot of things but being a bad guy is not one of them. I am talking about of course AJ. He, like me is an erstwhile tech mighty and a tech mate contributor. We both started our careers together- in the wide and enchating CRM world of Siebel. Whereas I have moved away from all things Siebel 6.0 (for good I'd say), he is still going great guns and has moved up the ladder and now plays with Siebel 9 or is it 10 now at CapGem. Tech M and writing are not the only things AJ and I have in common. Not many people know that AJ and I share the same birth date (although born 4 years apart- AJ born before me :D)... But we could not have been more unlike and belonging to different genders is not the only difference.

Most people know him as a movie buff/ reviewer, one of the gazillion ManU sheep err follower and a joker/batman fan club member. I dont want to talk about how well AJ can write because most of you already know this. What you may not know is that behind the jolly and laughing facade that AJ puts up in public, is a very profound thinker. His editorials are very well thought out and deal with a wide variety of topics. He is also a great son, friend and I think a-better-than-most husband (Shravas to confirm). There are a very few people who can have a good laugh about themselves- AJ is a member of this exclusive club.  However like all mortals, AJ has his foibles. He is infuriatingly self deprecating and needs constant reassurances about his capabilities. He is grown up enough to know better but still young enough to believe he can get away with anything. 

His dearest dream at one time was to write a movie script- something as good as the Dark Knight (no surprises there). I am sure he can do it... all he needs is a lot of self belief and the will to just do it. On the eve of our birthday, a few words of wisdom- there will be good days and there will be bad days, some days you will be the dog and some day the hydrant. Dont let these things bring you down. Take everyday as a new beginning and make it the best damn day of your life. 

Here's wishing you- a very Happy Birthday... Happy Blogging...!!!