Writer's Ezine - Writing one word at a time...

Writer's Ezine - Writing one word at a time...

Why Anuksha's googly went viral

This appeared in today's Hitavada

So the clash of the titans and fights among not-so-giants are over. Gentlemen are back to their couches with their WAGs. But our men refuse to settle down.

Anuksha Sharma continues to be too much of a distraction for them. And it only got worse after seeing Virat Kohli return home hand-in-hand with his lady love.

Whatsapp users took the cake. They had something for real this time, a welcome change from imaginary jokes and compulsive positivity. Understand media channels desperation for TRP; even radio jockeys banter is much the same – it’s survival. And what better potion than a Bollywood-cricket concoction that washes away all sins of work ethics and responsibility.

Had it been Virat’s neighbour whom he was in love with who cheered him from the stands, would the country have erupted with such hatred? Debates scream that Tendulakar’s and Ganguly’s wives were never seen during their time. But then they were mere star wives, no starlets! Wonder which is more sexy - cricket or Bollywood. Both take the breath out of Indian men!

Only that now they gasp on Twitter and FB. Social media is fast becoming the new curse of the generation as filthy minds flaunt with impunity. What’s sad is none can be held accountable – neither government, media nor celebrities themselves as it’s all in the mind of the populace.

A few months back in a separate sport-Bollywood project, Priyanka Chopra was ripped apart on social media for earning more than Mary Kom. How can two diverse professions be compared? It’s not about merits and class, it’s just how we are. We will not let anyone walk away with glory without a noise.

We love to peep into another’s space. And when the doors are open we gawk and run amok to share the sight. It’s not gossip, we are merely sharing info, with our own personal take on it. And if it’s cricket it’s our self-respect at stake. We will tolerate no dent to it. We will speak our minds! So what if we have to crucify a star? After all Anuksha Sharma earns her keep entertaining us.

As much as I hate the language she was derided with and would be the first to ban all social media users those who did that, I wonder if Anuksha called for it. Why did she go to Australia when WAGs were prohibited during the tournament? Why break rules? We are still a nation were public display of affection is appreciated only within closed doors.

Today is not my day!

I don’t care if people find me smart or inept

Call me rude, polite or modest

I’ve played the roles as the world defined

For over three long decades

And let honour, love and betrayal

All take their toll on me

Lack of identity and living others’ lives

Was my doom, I learnt

It’s only when I shed them all

That I was re-born a

WOMAN!

That was not a moment, nor a day

It was a process, a gradual evolution

It is a feeling, a sensation

I experience every waking second

Now I am a daughter, sister, mom, wife

Neighbour, citizen, colleague and more

But I live as ME in all my roles

I love myself and celebrate my uniqueness

Every single day and night

And not on just March the 8^th!

Peception & belief!

Bollywood movie 'Shamitabh' may or may not have affected careers of the film's cast and crew. But it definitely has affected some perceptions I had of my career.

A few that I held close with fear I have discarded with a determination never to let it haunt me. And one belief that I had silently nurtured, I hold on to with all vigour!

The below screenshots of my blogposts are self explanatory.

The 1st picture below is a screen shot of my review on Amitabh Bachchan's FB page exactly one week after he posted it. Humbled to see the number of likes, shares and comments. 

This 2nd picture below is a screenshot of Big B's FB page post that I shared on my wall. Received 'congratulatory' comments and likes from 'my' friends. 

This 3rd picture below is the screenshot of the original blogpost I had shared on my Facebook page well before Big B chose to feature it. More than a week later, it still awaits its first reader.

In gratitude always. Thanks to the Divine, I will continue doing what I love.

Shamitabh - will be celebrated

An intelligently crafted film - the ultimate ode to Big B! It’s a critic’s feast. A novel idea wrapped with filmdom obsession, which is technically sound, well-orchestrated and superbly enacted.

Well, the director-writer could have busted the ego of his protagonists quicker to save viewers from the drag in between. That could have possibly helped reviewers stretch the colour a little across the three stars, too. But what the heck? It’s ego that the director is trying to quell. Does it die in one hack.

Raters seem lost on rungs to grade the movie. They aren’t quite sure how to rate a creation that neither came with a promise to challenge the 100crore club nor falls under the starry Bolly-entertainer and yet flaunting the biggest star.

So unlike librarians who place a book under the ‘general’ category when they can’t identify the genre, critics for want of an acceptable code, is all over the place.

And so 'Shamitabh' has become nothing but Balki's obsession with Amitabh Bachchan… why do we need to hear the baritone bass and Big B’s history in Bollywood after all these decades… is the technology for real…over two-and-a-half hours of ego ride…to a debutante’s attempt to act and who’s that guy, ah! Danush, good…

E...shed it guys, let go. Give credit to the man who dares to be different in an industry that runs with the crowd and sings chorus. We are used to pulling up and sticking out those who perform differently.

In this case, it's the expectation of novelty from the creator of ‘Paa’ and ‘Cheeni Kum’ that's weighing the movie down.

At least give it to the actors. Danush's performance is electric, not to mention Bachchan at his superb best. Newcomer Akshara comes across as Papa’s daughter. Hope the fraternity gives her the space to grow. Okay, I learnt that dialogue delivery is genetic, as well.

This is one movie that will be celebrated only after Amitabh Bachchan gives his last shot – which future generations will refer to when Big B is studied!

To parents, with love!

Why don’t some parents treat their adult children as ADULTS?

The more old they grow the more paranoid they become on how their adult children conduct themselves and fare in life.

Are you saving enough? When is the last you invested in property? The interest rates are slipping…our neighbour’s son bought an apartment there, that aunt’s daughter is building a house in the suburbs, your cousin owns three 4-wheelers... It’s a crore for a medical seat…what extra coaching are you providing your kids...times have changed...

I belong to the ‘puppy generation’ for whom compromising to see parents happy is second nature. Somewhere in the growing up years, we mistook respect for obedience just as our parents mistook possessiveness for love. They loved us, so they decided for us. And because we respected them we obeyed. And yes, we were ‘cultured’ so we never disputed. As if bottled specimens!      

The puppies are ever in gratitude that they are given the opportunity to walk this land…but they would love to chew at the proverbial leash!

It’s got nothing to do with love. It’s pure, simple respect and the right to live. If we decide to choose our partner, it's new love, not old love lost. If we let our kids decide with whom they hang out with, it’s not rubbishing the culture you taught us, rather it’s respecting our kids. If we decide to invest in someplace away from home, it’s not tough love, it’s our freedom. If we ignore hung-up kin, it's not insolence rather self-respect...

Understood some seniors' love and fear for their children. They would definitely not want the hardships they endured to replay. Salutes for the affection! Allow the youngsters to repay.

Chill. Relax. Your kids are grown up to take care of themselves and you, too. Just let go and enjoy doing all that you didn’t have time and funds for. You all deserve it - a life where you just put your feet up and smell the roses. 

If you believe in your upbringing, trust your children to fare well in life. And if you haven’t, sorry, it’s late to make an attempt!! And it's absolutely fine.

What worries me is some of the puppy generation refuse to see they are still inside the bottle. 

My daughter one day returned from school with a packet stapled across. She dutifully handed over the package to me saying, ‘Megha’s mom asked me to give this to you and not to open it.”

Little did she realise it was the book 'Divergent', which she had given her classmate to read. The book was returned because the child’s mom found it ‘atrocious - a book unfit for 12-year olds’!  

While my girl is still lost as to why the book was returned thus, I pitied her classmate’s mother.

Gen Next are no puppies woman! Breathe out!

*****

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The year I lost my height and weight

To all Non-Resident Indians, with love!

The year I lost my height and weight

Into 2015… here I resurrect!

Happy New Year to all my readers!

I’ve had a fabulous 2014. It was the year I lost my height and helluva weight!

I was known as ‘that tall, lean girl with long hair’ – right from my primary school until I was married, when my man said, ‘You are just of average height’. When I took offence to the ‘just’ in his comment, he simply tucked me under his armpit. I still refused to see the point!

Soon, my scalp was tucking at me, too. So was the unruly cellulite crawling across my waist...and I still refused to see the point!

Now that my girl has stared throwing her arms around my shoulders I have begun seeing the point. But every attempt of mine to convince her I am still of 'decent' height is only laughed at as just another tall tale.

Though I am made shorter against my best intentions, the struggle with my weight was much calculated.

It all began in early-2013 and culminated last year, when I - the self-confessed private person and publicly acknowledged introvert - thought I needed help for housekeeping. So from life coaches and spiritual leaders to NLP practioners and yogis to even friends… I shamelessly exposed my raw self. I let each one of them rummage through my mind and heart, in the hope they will sweep me clean. I was at my vulnerable worst. I let myself be surrounded by dozens of self-help books, CDs and a bunch of people who advised and instructed on what was best for me.

Though none of them helped me find the sanity I sought, I don't regret having associated with any of them as it was a journey that helped me discover myself.

Today, I sit more wise, and far more lighter with a house well-kept and my universe clear of the clutter.

The lessons I learnt...

Never open your heart to anyone before checking if he/she DESERVES to hear your story. Don’t mistake their expertise or closeness to you. Not all who claim to have a solution for your sort of problem or all your buddies deserve to see you nude.

Never seek value and worth from ANYONE [neither from friends/foes nor family/strangers nor colleagues/bosses]. Value yourself.

Shut out all people and situations that put you in the underdog or make you uncomfortable. No matter who they are or what they may be. And see your universe bloom.

Last but not the least, always be thankful, especially to those who hurt you!

I thank all those who aided in my self-discovery...

Special Thanks to Ssrija and a BIG Thank You to my lovely parents and all those who say I touch their hearts!