Before I write anything, let me tell you I did not intend to see this movie, originally. I dismissed it off as any
other rom-com in market. I even refrained from seeing and writing a mock review as I do for some legendary movies like Murder or Himmatwala. Off course they are bad movie and didn't have Ranbir Kapoor in it. Going not just by word but every single performance that this cute superstar gives on screen including his promotional appearances on TV, makes him an instant object of affection for viewers at large. 

So I didn't plan to watch this movie and then one day the trailers hit my TV at prime time. There was a song that took my attention- Balam Pichkari and I was glad to see it is from Ranbir- Deepika starrer. A lot of my friends who had seen this movie did not gave a great review. While some really swear by it and needless to say they were these teeny-weeny  boppers. Ok! I said and took a soft copy of the movie from a friend on my laptop which I never opened or watched due to poor audio quality and lack of time while moving cities

We landed at city of Mumbai. The movie still didn't entice me enough to open my laptop or go to nearest multiplex until one fine day. I wanted to absorb my time for next 2 hours before dropping my mum at CST. I crossed Big cinema near Marine drive but was not in mood to waste further Rs 500, so I moved on. I then landed near Eros cinema which was showing this movie along with couple others. Let's cut the story short. The movie timing everything worked for us and me and mom took our respective seat inside this old time movie hall. Men! It was not a "Kuch Kuch Hota hai" for us but the movie was worthwhile. Here's tell you why.

1. Apt casting- The casting director has done a good job here. Apart from the lead characters and their mysterious chemistry, it was a delight to see Farookh Seikh, Tanvi Aazmi back on screen. Other cast including Kalki Koechelin, Aditya Roy Kapoor too represented their character well. Deepika Padukone suits the character to T and given a picture perfect performance. Her on screen pairing with Ranbir is far superior than with Katrina Kaif. With this role and her acts in Cocktail and Love aaj kal, she has come of age from her past debacles like- break ke baad.

2. The story- Girl meets boy and fell in love. Boy meets girl but do not fall in love. Girl and boy meet again, love is confessed, love is suppressed and finally, love is addressed and sealed. This may sound cliche while you wonder that how come two beautiful people like them didn't get hooked so long but then, it is movie. The story is simple and resonates well. 

3. Sensible Dialogues- The film had "to the point" and "easy to relate" with our current lifestyle dialogues. This shows writer's and director's understanding of the market, urban youth, invariably their target audience. No punjab ki gaaliyan and OTT Sarso-makki sagas and Karwa chauths were entertained here. From a scene were Deepika' onscreen mother (the effervescent Dolly Ahluwalia from Vicky Donor) was making snide remarks on Kalki's lifestyle over dinner table, her take and Deepika's response, to a scene were Ranbir was expressing his "Temple run" dreams to his father or the scene in Jodhpur/Udaipur where Naina tells Kabir to slow down in life rather than attempting to do every thing in one breath and many such more elicit good examples.

4. Realistic approach to story and characters- A particular scene when Farukh brings mangoes for Ranbir and that expensive bag for his secret trip was written and executed well. They were so true to reality that got everyone including my mom hooked to the movie.

5. Masala Ingredients- The movie has it all from Celebrity Item number to grand wedding, glamorous actresses showing off their well curated bodies, necklines, waist lines and all lines beyond the lines in clothing marvel by ace designer Manish Malhotra. It also has great outdoor locations, action, drama, humor. The film's opening credit was awesome with the lavishness, royalty of Indian wedding stitched in it with an equally delectable song.

It was truly a Karan Johar movie and great relief from Shahrukh-Kajol soaky sagas. Men, they are outdated!

6. Good Music- I thought "Balam Pichkari" was the best song until I heard "Budtameez dil" and also, "Kabira" from the opening credits of the movie. SubhanAllah job Preetam Chaudhury. Budtameez dil reminded me of Late Shammi Kapoor and his onscreen electrical presence. It is a kick of a song shot on most suitable actor. Anyone else, couldn't have done as much justice.

7. Ranbir Kapoor- I am not a teeny weeny bopper but what the hell, I really adore the actor since his performance in "Rockstar". Show me one sensible person who would like to disagree. One person who has outshine Ranbir this time is Deepika with her wonderful performance. She holds her forte really well even while playing cliche to death "Naina" role as well her transformed hot chick version.

8. Cinematography- The picturesque locales depicting mountains, hill side, sleepy villages of Manali and grandeur of Udaipur were well captured and looked breathtaking. Good job Manikand V. Apparently a lot scenes were shot in Gulmarg than Manali. 

What didn't work for me in this movie-

1. Item Song & Dance by Madhuri Dixit- I am an old time admirer but the logic was not clear to me for having that song, that lyrics at that particular time in a movie like this. Nevertheless, the song will be quite useful for pre-wedding sangeets across country. So "bin matlab ki bakwaas hai tera ghaghra".

2. Over the Top lifestyle- It is visually pleasing to see a certain kind of lavish set, good costumes, beautifully sculpted characters on screen. However, some time an overdose of it tends to have an over powering impact on story and narration of the film. The movie seems to be highly targeted at the upper-upper class segment and that too is fine as long as it doesn't draft away from being entertaining.

3. Bunny? I couldn't digest the fact that Ranbir Kapoor' name is Bunny in the movie. Whatever the logic could be. Lolz Bunny is Funny.

4. The Over the Duh characterization of Kunal Roy Kapoor. 

My overall verdict is- The movie may not be as brilliant as Wake Up Sid  but it is a worth watching. Entertainment quotient is good. The starcast, music, story, screenplay all may not be field fresh but are quite unique and well stitched and makes for a good watch. If nothing else, the lead stars' fans can see this movie for their sheer screen presence and yup it will do good business.

My Rating:   

(4 stars)

Yippee! My blog post "Taking Technology to the bottom of Pyramid with Microsoft 365" has won a prize in Microsoft Office 365 blogging contest




What I won?
I won a one year free subscription of Microsoft Office 365 and a mouse.
Yup a muse that is a mouse and a mouse that is a muse.

Yippee and not just this. Both of my post for Dove Contest (links given below) have also won a consolation prize. Not bad.

Links-
Braids and Banter
The Beautiful Braids Chronicle

What have I won? well two spa vouchers. So if Spa experience goes well, I will share a post here!

I dream of a beauty

beauty that heart desire

of lush and serene beauty

beauty that my eyes admire

Beauty that I dunk 

my heart inside

beauty that is not just skin deep

but even beautiful outside

--- NumeroUnity

Beauty is not just skin deep

Women and beauty has always complemented each other. While a lot is being spoken about the inner beauty, the external beauty still remain an undisputed terrain. They say- face is mirror of heart. So how can one afford to lose out on mirror and the reflex. While the effort is always there to keep improving, keep evolving the internal beauty. However, one cannot afford to ignore the external beauty either.

Light travels faster than sound. 
So before you open your mouth, speak, create an impression, you are judged with the way you look. Crude but true. The simple philosophy that followed is- If you cannot manage what is your gift from god, your skin and your appearance. How are you suppose to manage everything else?

The world has been changing. With increased, stress, pollution, the beauty above skin is getting a harsh beating in a day to day busy lives. It is very important to maintain a daily intense skin care routine. But how? The market is filled with XYZ no of products each promising to deliver the moon for the user. Stats says the highest sellers are the fairness cream. But is that enough?

Following are the different beauty challenge that an average women has to face-

1. Dry skin

2. Skin darkening
3. Wrinkles
4. Dull, sagging skin

So if you are entangled between a choice of "fairer skin or younger looking skin" choose no m ore!

Cause Olay has come up with a breakthrough product that will cater to above two worries. You may concede that market shelves are full of wide range of such products claiming to deliver moon. However, there are only few brands or products that manage to inspire your trust year after year and product afte product. One such brad is- Olay! I am a big fan of their hallmark "Oil of Olay" cream and that faith brought me to try this product.
My verdict- The concept is very appealing. I have been a regular/ early user of Olay and have an established high trust on brand and delivery. I find the cream description useful and once applied the difference is apparent. I took some time to post my review so that I can see the prolonged effect. The product is mildly fragrant and quick to absorb. When applied, the cream creates a base on skin, making look more radiant. 

Pricing: Rs 369 for 20G

My overall rating: 3 star

Pros and cons

Pros- Multiple utility product, brand trust of Olay, easy to use/carry, mild fragrance &quick absorbing

Cons: High price (limiting product penetration) and slight sticky texture, little itchy for sensitive skin like mine

Do I recommend this product? The answer is yes. This was my feedback, do share your experience/feedback as well.

For a free skin care consultation with leading experts of Olay, click here- http://www.olay.in/Pages/OlayForYou.aspx?lang=en-IN

__________________

 "I am trying out Olay Total Effects as a part of the product review program at BlogAdda.com" 

  

Yes! I am going to host a party at woods this time like good old days of picnic but an evening picnic. Everybody is so busy with complexities of daily lives and urban living that we forget to enjoy, indulge and splurge in beauty of nature. Often a weekend gateway is time consuming and tedious especially when it comes to cook the food in the woods where half of your attention is on preparation and other arrangements than having actual fun. Let us glamorize the concept of picnic!

I shared the idea with my friend and partner in crime, my mother. She was bit stunned in the beginning. "Where would you do the party and how will you manage the food? It will be cumbersome" she said. I smiled and opened my kitchen cabinet full of my (a spinster's lifeline) ready to cook meals- Kitchens of India. "This will do wonders" I told her and started with my preparation.

Times have changed, so does our "kitchen". ITC Kitchen of India has liberated the way we used to cook our food with most interesting and awesome mix of ready to eat meals, and condiments. Time to further develop my plan with blueprints oops foodprints.

Ambiance: Entertainment: Location

I will have this party organized at a nice forest like setting which is not too far away from city and has lush green settings preferably a nearby forest resort or a dense farm house like the ones we have in Kapashera, Gurgaon.

Ambiance: I would use tones of green, brown and white. There would be a bonfire surrounded by neat looking wooden sitting platforms (at suitable distance from fire) in a square shape. The wooden platforms will be covered by fitting mattresses and round pillows leaving ample spaces at edge to keep the glasses.

A little away from the bonfire wood be my serving table that would stack some fine wines, beverages and an antipasti table. I will hang few paper light lamps on encompassing trees to steer away the dark and similar paper lanterns would be strategically placed at different spots of venue to act as path guiding light and object of decor.


Here's the invite that I designed and each dispatched with a colorful clay lantern to each-

Gourmet Products

The best part of any party is food. People may forget the ambiance, the music but they always remember the food. So I am not going to take any risk when it comes to serving the taste buds of my guest and would rely only on the best. I would partner with "Kitchens of India" to come up with my delicatessen delight.  

Drinks and starters would be served on arrival. Here's the menu I would handpick from http://shopping.kitchensofindia.com/.

This post is an original work of fiction of the author and uses commonly available content as in media and common sense. The author doesn't intend to hurt any personal/religious whatsoever sentiments of anyone. 

While browsing, a picture of an angel weeping beneath her wings took my attention. I searched the details and discovered a long lost friend of mine- Angela. One of the most cherubic girl around, truly an angel but why broken wings? I pinged her and she was equally surprised to hear from me. On further chatting, I realized that Angela is going through a tough phase of life, bearing quite a depressive demeanor leading to suicidal tendencies. She has made a few attempts in past, thankfully unsuccessful. I left everything else and tried to talk her out of this. The conversation moved on like this-

Suicidal? Why? What on earth has happened so wrong Angela that you have decided to end a beautiful life? You were such a rock star in high school who dreamed of nothing but stars and has every thing in self to reach there. 

Yes, I was but you do not know in last few years what I have gone through. Rather what I have not gone through. Life is no more beautiful, it has become a series of unending pain. Pain that I cannot suffer anymore. I am a failure and I can't live with such a failure.


You are young, the age is on your side. Past failure doesn't mean that future will fail too. Come on, have heart. It is a cowardice act to kill one's life just cause few things didn't work our way. Start afresh, Life is beautiful.

I tried multiple times but every time I came back failed. Now no more. The life that has no meaning is not worth living. I am not the first one. History is full of people like us who decided to be dead than alive.

I was about to dissuade Angela but halted for a moment to see a familiar face requesting to join the chat. It was non other than Jiah Khan, the young starlet who has recently committed suicide and was in news all over for speculating theories related to her suicide.

What are you talking Jiah? What have you done is quite unfair. To kill one' life just cause someone was not good enough to reciprocate your love, is nonsense. Life is unfair but then suicide is no justice. There is no consolation to abuses or heartbreaks but to move on.



Move on? how? How many times? Do you realize the pain of abuse from the man you love? It is easier said than done. The one who suffers only knows what they go through. I can't tell you my pain, my troubled childhood. The society is all preachy but none comes to your rescue unless you are a bigwig or a celebrity child.            


Jiah, You were young, enterprising and above all you were a popular face. The reason that love happened to you, opportunity came to your way is a clear indication of your forthcoming achievement. You got a dream debut. "Take lite" a philosophy that you endorsed to entire nation in your first movie. The pain you are talking about is quintessential part of everybody's life. It is just that few people suffer more than others but they survive and emerge as winner later.

I failed in love. My career was not taking the shape it should be. I debut with BigB but yet to establish my name here. The bad childhood doesn't spare me either. It was an abusive relationship. I had no choice.


Before Jiah could finish her statement we have got new members added in the chat, shifting the "you" and "I" chat to a complete "We Chat" scenario. The "hold to talk voice messaging" acted as a boon and soon power women from different era started joining in. Read the excerpts to know more-

Well, there is no truth in the allegations that your making, Jiah. You have not just killed yourself but made my son's life even more miserable. You were a problem child whose stigma has made our life miserable



Behold, my daughter is not a problem child, it was your son who had a problem. He abetted Jiah towards suicide. She was full of life and loved him no end. Instead he kicked her, abused her. It is who made the damage....

If Sooraj was bad then why did she continue to stay with him? What stopped her from moving to a better relationship? What gain came with suicide?
Hold your horses ladies We know you are a grieved mothers where one has lost her daughter and other one is fighting a legal battle to get her son out from judicial custody. The issue is not who is guilty but issue is why suicide? Jiah would have suffered a lot but suicide is no solution.

Mahabanoo

Hi ladies, I am Mahabanoo and am associated with Ring the bell and "Vagina Monologues". I too have strong disregard for this suicide business. Why do our society fail to teach the value of life? Why a man or a woman commit suicide and how is that going to help resolve? Is suicide an end in self? The only solution to all problems?



Hi, I am the girl from Delhi who was brutally raped, injured & left to die on roads with a shame never seen before and pain that cannot be expressed. The entire world know what happened to their brave-heart. Still I wanted to live, wanted to fulfill my dreams. Mortality took me away. Dear Jiah, Angela and all those of you who feel that your life is no more worthy of living, do you still think that what happened to you was worse than this? You at least had a choice to live.



Yes Jyoti, what happened to you was indeed horrible. Never did we imagined that human kind will behave like this one day. Our heart goes for you. You were indeed brave. RIP

Dear all, This is Indian women. Women who are mothers, daughters, sisters and wife. We go through a new grind every day. Grind by nature, grind by fellow human beings. We are made to suffer many atrocities daily. From education to harassment to dowry to childlessness, the list is endless. A lot of us commit suicide but a large no of us are awakening to realities of life. Suicide is no solution. Women who have committed suicide in past paved more ways for the atrocities rather than bringing them down. We are sure that even a hundred thousand more of us commit suicide, it is not going to help anyone but the perpetrators of atrocities. We do not idol women who have killed themselves but women who fight the atrocities in their life till last breath like Rani of Jhansi.



Thank you women of India. Your faith made my struggle worthwhile. I am Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. Jiah and Angela, I met few of your contemporaries Nafisa Joseph and Kuldeep few days back and was disheartened to know about their suicide. I feel women today is much more empowered, educated and liberated than what we used to be in our times. Still we never gave up and fight every adversity tooth and nail. It is better to fight and die than run away from life. Death is not a solution, I reiterate. I am not as literate as you nor did we have communication engines like Internet, smart phone etc that women today has got. If you ask me, I will say that I lived and died with my head held high and not hanging in helplessness. If I can do, why can't you?


We all adore and appreciate your efforts and life, Rani. You have supporters but I had none. I was all alone in this big bad world of film fraternity and had no supporter. I did what I deem right. I asked for support but in today;s world no one support others. I was helpless, really helpless.


Do not wait for leaders my child, do it alone, person to person. Be faithful in small things because that is where your strength lies. Who said you were alone, my child? You had a family with you. Many do no have anyone to call family. You had a career that you have chosen for self. You had a life that gave you choice. If the place where you work was not conducive, you should have moved to another one, my child. You had all rights but no right to take your life away.


Thank you mother, thank you Rani of Jhansi. Your words are indeed motivating and I can see your point here. But I have been trying from last many years and all my philosophies are deeply challenged. I see my life worthy no more. My dream are lost. They do not entice me anymore. My passsion is dead and my expectation from life is nil. How do I live in such condition?


My Dear, when your life is passionless, live for others, set a new beginning. Do something that the generation will thank you about, think you in high regard. And I am not talking, I have actually done it. My life is a living example of living for others. Why you think you can not live? Live in service of god, my child

I so much agree with mother Teresa. Before your mourn what you have lost, you should celebrate what you have got. You should be blessed that God has given you good health which a lot of us are not gifted with. Take my example. I was blind but did I let myself succumb to it? No I understood the problem that I faced but instead of taking it as a cue to end my life, I took as a reason for living and developed something that has not just helped me but all people who were like me. All the world is full of suffering but it is also full of overcoming.

Your dreams are not dead my girl, they are gone for a new lease of life. What do your fear? You are a living embodiment of Durga, Kali and Saraswati. You are woman! Do not think yourself feeble. Lead my girl. Support will follow.


The conversation got intense. I was delighted to see Helen Keller, Mother Teresa, Rani Laxmi Bai and others joining in chatting away towards benefit of Angela and many others like her. Apparently, Angela started seeing the picture too and understood the importance of life. She wiped her tears away and promise to see her life in new light. She thanked each one of us. She agreed the boon of technology where life has given new means to get connected.  A lot more could be spoken on the subject but I thought of wrapping it up before we dilute the objective and thanked everyone to be part of this.


Thank you everybody. It was an indeed an inspirational talk. Angela my dear, see you are not alone. The whole clan of strong women are with you. Do not hold yourself back, do not take wrong examples. Lead by faith and strength and life will be with you. People who mock you today will admire you someday. Do not go what is seen on surface, see what lies beneath
.




Thank you everybody so much. I wish if someone would have spoken to me, guided me, supported me this way. I wish I had waited. I wish...All said and done, now all I wish is that coming generation learn from us and do not give their life so easily away for people who do not care for them.



Yes Jiah. I am thankful that we had this discussion today. I am thankful that we were able to connect with each other beyond time and space continuum. I am gonna save this chat forever and refer it as my guide in my dark and light hours. Thank you NumeroUnity. I have begin to see a new light now.

Thank you Angela for seeing substance in our words and trusting in it. I would not preach but always remember that- We see life is a light that fades away. Actually when we think it is gone away, it is not really gone away but it merges in us that we cannot see but feel. So start feeling life.It will love you.

With this we finally wrapped up our discussion. I am going to save this chat too and with help of WeChat, I have created a group too. It is called- WeChat Womaniya.  
As I stopped writing, I took a moment and prayed to my late grand mother's soul, offering her my deep apologies for not being able to meet her before her death. She wanted to meet me from long but I took it for granted and today none of my excuse- work, distance, leaves consoles my grief of missing her. I miss her dearly and wish if we had an app like this earlier where I can keep in touch with her round the clock. Share my pictures, love, chat, voice over etc.

Communication technologies have far advanced and I request humbly to all my followers and readers to keep connected with each other. Material joys and self motives fades away, it is relations that helps us long way. In this connected world, being in touch help us to not just share but care. We all know that silence is like a cancer that grows and eat away a beautiful life. Don't let this silence seep in, don't let this depression aloof you, do not let the distances severe your communications, use WeChat and stay  connected to the connected world.

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