PLEASE DO COME

Anguished, I shall be in your presence
But to rend my heart by your looks, do come
You can leave me alone and walk away again, 
But to keep the unfulfilled promises, do come
To whom, shall I convey the reason for our parting,
So to please the world for one last time, do come
The candles are glowing in hope of your return
But even to blow the last flames of hope, do come
Just give me an illusion that you did respect my love
To showcase our love was just a mirage, do come
If to hide love, is love then I have hidden it
But even to take away my hidden soul, do come
Perhaps, you shall not come when I live, or even die
But as my ashes are scattered in waters,
So to let me go, by your tender touch,
And to touch my ashes, please do come

Inspired by Ahmed Faraz's ghazal "Ranjish Hi Sahi". Though it's a translation, for the most part, the last few lines have been added. 

HER (2013) - ENGLISH

A heart touching love story where the girl is not to be seen, only heard. It's music to ears.

Lover or loner this will suffice the needs of both.

 Though I watched this film as a download earlier with the fear that it may not release, I was supremely happy to see it release and watched it alone amdist lovers. Was wondering if there can be a better date than such a romantic movie on a full moon night.

I am a loner and a happy one,Now, as I say I am a loner, I have 3 indeed 4 women to make love with, that's Movies, Music and Books added with my Camera. I am happy coz these do not expect anything back from me and just keep giving me joys. Expectations are the root cause of most disappointments and thankfully I have been less subjected to them. Companionship brings joys for sure but if it does not go well life is ruined miserably. However strong a company maybe through phone or chatting, unless it becomes physical and culminates organically, it is vulnerable and there is fear of falling apart too. So just let me rephrase what I said, I am a lover and a happy one too and yet I go through a fear of falling apart. Companionship is a prime most desire of any human being and after a certain age most humans desire a companion who can satisfy the physical desires. 

Spike Jonze is the first person, I would like to speak about in my review. And this  not for his direction but for his screenplay. He wrote a script himself and has used wonderful scenes to make it interesting. 

Theodre Twombly the character played superbly by Joaquin Phoenix is a character who is seeking company in his life. He gets Samantha (voice of Scarlett Johansson), an advanced operating system that is artificially intelligent, as his company. Their relationship hits all the right notes and blossoms beautifully. I must say just for the voice of Scarlett Johannson, she must be given best voice over award. The fine nuances of emotions are expressed superbly in voice modulations.

Shot superbly by Hoyte van Hoytema and put together wonderfully by 2 editors, this is beautiful, but the pace is a bit slow and it takes time to sink in.

This is not a feel good film but is extremely romantic film. There a lot of romantic moments in the film but they are shot with Joaquin alone as there is only voice of the girl. I loved the dialogues between them and they are so connecting too. Most of us would have through such moments in relationship. 

A 4/5 for this, except being tad slow I am all for love and romance. Kudos to Spoke Jonze for perceiving it and then making it uncompromisingly with his own unique vision.

చిట్టి చెవులు

రోజు చేసే ప్రయాణంలో ఓ సన్నివేశం 
కలిగించెను మదిలో ఆలోచనల సమావేశం 
తండ్రి బండి నడపగా, తల్లి ఎత్తుకోగా 
అ పసి కళ్ళలో చెణుకులు 
అందించింది నాకు మధుర సందేశం 
అమ్మ పాటలు వింటూ హాయిగా నిదురించే ఆ వయస్సు 
శబ్దానికి అర్ధం తెలియని మనస్సు 
ఈ శబ్దాల రొద ఎలా భరిస్తోంది 
ఆ చిట్టి చెవులు ఎంత రోదిస్తున్నాయో 
ఎవరు వీరంతా ఎందుకున్నారు ఇక్కడ
ఈ ప్రయాణం ఏమిటి, మరి గమ్యం ఎక్కడ 
ఇలా ఎన్నో సందేహాలు ఆ బుజ్జి మనసుకి

INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (2013) - ENGLISH

Lovely music and good acting are just not good enough for a Coen Brothers film. There has to be something intriguing.

This film is good, but its not great. That is the disappointing part of a Coen Brothers film. If it's good, then it will just not work. This film specifically is a bout a musician and his cat. The cat plays an interesting role in the film.

This is a musical, as there is lot of music and the protagonist is musician himself. Based in 1960's folk music, the music is just too good. Be it "Hang Me"or "Five Hundred Miles". Thanks to the artists Oscar Isaac, Justin Timberlake and others.

Production design and Cinematography are immaculate which is very much expected. The writing is good too. But it's actually the acting that made the lines good. Oscar Isaac shines as Llewyn Davis. But it's John Goodman who stole the film for me. His performance is so so good.

This film triggered an interesting debate between me an my friend, as to why the end and the beginning are similar. Is it a metaphor or placed deliberately or is it something else. I missed it completely but when I reflected upon what I saw, it was interesting for me.

So there are interesting aspects, but yet lot of the film is obvious. And if the expectation is a of a typical Coen Brothers film, you may be tad disappointed. Yet, definitely, this film is worth a watch. A 3/5 for this.

ఏవి ఏవి

ఏవి ఆ సహజ సిద్ధమైన పర్వతాలు 
ఏవి ఆ ప్రక్రుతి ఐరావతాలు 
మన పండుగలు ఏమయ్యాయి, మన పద్ధతులు ఎలా మారాయి 
పల్లె పిల్లల కొంటె పనులు, ఆ కోటి కొమ్మొచ్చి ఆటలు 
వసంతాన కోయిలమ్మ పాటలు 
వెన్నెలలో ఆడుకునే సయ్యాటలు 
లంగా ఓణీలు కట్టుకుని మురిపించె పడుచు పిల్లలు 
ఊరంతా పండగలా జరిగే మన పెళ్ళిళ్ళు 
ప్రతి పండగకు హారతులు పట్టే చెల్లెళ్ళు 
ఏడిపించి ఊరిస్తూ తిరిగే కొంటె మరదళ్ళు 
ఏమయ్యాయి మన సంప్రదాయాలు, వైభోగాలు 
మళ్ళీ ఆ రోజులు వస్తాయి అని ఎన్నో ఆశలు 
అవి రావి అని తెలిస్తే మరల నిరాశలు 
నాలుగు పైసల కోసం ఏమేమి కోల్పోయాం 
అన్నీ సంపాదించి ఆనందాన్ని కోల్పోయాం 
ప్రతి రోజునీ ఒక పరుగులాటగా మార్చుకున్నాం 
ఎటు నుంచి ఎటు వచ్చాం 
ఇక ఇటు నుంచి ఎటు వెళ్తాం 

నీ హాయి

ఈ వేకువ నీ మోము నూతనంగా ఉందేమి?
అన్ని సోయగాలు కలిగి అధునాతనంగా ఉందేమి?
ఏమి కలలు కన్నావో నిన్నటి రేయి 
నా గురించే అన్న భావనలో ఎంతో హాయి 
నావి కాదు అని తెలిసినా, నీ కలలు నిజమవ్వాలి 
నీ హాయి కలకాలం నిలవాలి

तेरे बिना जी नहीं सकता

तेरी बातों से जुदाई सेह नहीं सकता 
तेरे बिना एक पल भी रेह नहीं सकता 
कैसे बयान करू मेरी मजबूरी 
कि तेरे बिना जी नहीं सकता

मुश्किल है दूर रेहना

फुर्सत नहीं मुझे तेरे खयालों से 
राहत नहीं तुम्हारी यादों से 
मुसीबत इससे बड़ा जाना नहीं 
बहुत मुश्किल है दूर रेहना तेरी बातों से 

MISS LOVELY (2014) - HINDI

Uncompromising direction and superb acting take this film to great heights.

I went to this movie coz there is a fine actor in the film. His name is Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He is man to watch out for and I hope that he continues doing some great work. His body of work till now is nothing short of greatness. It includes some great films made in last 10-15years. He continues to do and explore more realms by sticking to his good choices.

It saddened me that there were hardly anybody in the theatre. Maybe some 8-10 people in all, in a whole theatre to a film which was presented in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Understandably, normal film going audience may not be understood. But do we have so very few aficionados. It is baffling and indeed threatening if anybody considers making in an offbeat film.

From the poster to the titles to every frame, the setting is reminiscent of the 1980's. It is near flawless art direction and kudos to the whole art team for achieving an incredible feat. The sound-design is immaculate too.

There are surely some disturbing things and even simple logic was missing at times. But I forgave all that, coz there was an attempt of honesty I saw behind this.

Surely, the film is questionable in many aspects. But this is not a film for everyone. Nevertheless, I liked it. If you ever try to watch, just beware. It may shock you or surprise you. A 3/5 for this.

AMERICAN HUSTLE (2013) - ENGLISH

Classic Film making. I wish it could have been done so well, without some uncalled for dialogues.

Yes, there is a plot, there is a twist and there is more to add to characters than what they are, and there is style. This is what classic films are made of. Interesting characters, good plot and good production values. Yet, there is something missing called good dialogue and good screenplay, that would have made this good film a great film.

I liked it, but I was OK with it and did not feel any better after watching this. The dialogues are made up of nail polish and hairstyles which seem so irrelevant actually. Yet, they are made to fit into the plot. What role will a nail polish play in a con man's life. Indeed I dozed off midway through the first hour and when I woke up 10 minutes later, nothing changed, I could catch up with the film pretty easily. That's the pace of the film. It's slow and involves lot of talking. 

I have no problem in listening to dialogue, but dialogue of this kind is tough to bear. The plot is about money and the dialogue seems to deviate all that. So that's the main thing that did not work for me. Else, unquestionably it is a good film technically. The art direction, costume design, make up are wonderful. Cinematography was good but at times, there was noise on screen. My biggest crib is editing. Was it deliberately made into such a long movie? I am sure if I were the editor, it would have been considerably less in time. 

The best part though is acting. All the actors have performed exceedingly well. From Christian Bale as Irving, the protagonist to Robert De Niro who comes in a guest role. It is terrific acting. I do not want to say anything about the plot, but just giving the meaning of hustle here. 

The music used was also good, the Jefferson Airplane song "White Rabbit" is in Arabic and is nice. Others songs are also good. 

hustle : To obtain something by deceitful or illicit means; practice theft or swindling. 

A 3/5 will be just for this. There are many better movies in terms of writing and direction. 

आँसू निकलते नहीं

गुलशन में फूल मेहकते नहीं 
सागर में लेहर मचलते नहीं 
ये सिर्फ हैरत है या क़यामत है 
भीगे अखियों से आँसू निकलते नहीं

कहना तो चाहते है

चाहने से कोई चीज़ अपनी नहीं होती 
हर आँसू गम की नहीं होती 
कहना तो चाहते है बहुत कुछ 
कभी अलफ़ाज़ तो कभी ज़ुबान साथ नहीं होती 

BESHARAM (2013) - HINDI

Appalling and it is shamelessly appalling. I expected this to be over the top and loud. But this was cheap overacting.

I loved some moments like the way ranbir utters "picture main bhi dekhta hoon bhaai saab". Yet these are few and far and in the meanwhile we are given over acting and to digest it would be a serious challenge.

It made Ranbir the talented to Ranbir the tortuous. Sadly this film does not do justice even to the generally wonderful pair Rishi and Neetu kapoor. 

Without writing much as I save my precious words for other activities, I can just say "now its not on streets anymore" so watch only if you have absolutely nothing worthy to do. 

A 1/5 would be generous. That 1 is for the laughs it tries to evoke.

PACIFIC RIM (2013) - ENGLISH

A well done fake film. It's overtly formulaic and over the top action. I do not like action movies for some unless there is a story worth rooting for. This has action that is technically brilliant but it does not have a have worth rooting for. It's all open and shut from the word go. We know the heroes, the villains, the conflict. It's how they overcome is what shall be projected differently.

Technically you may say it's brilliant. I will agree to that only partially coz greatest technology devoid of human concern will not work. Similarly, there is more of commerce in this than concern for heart. So it did not work for me. How greatly you will project the conflict and how shall it be made with thorough 3d technology is what was looked into. Now this disappointed me.

Considering that this a film of Guillermo Del Toro who gave us 'Pan's Labyrinth' earlier it irks me more. I am not happy with what I have seen in this film. 

You may like it or love it. I just did not in many ways. This is strictly mediocre in content and high on technology. A 2/5 would be the best I can give this film. See it if you like some action packed scenes and high quality graphics. 

3 SHORT HUMOROUS PLAYS

It was a night where three humorous plays were played, here is the date time and venue.

Date - 29th (Friday) & 30th (Saturday) November 2013

Time  - 07:30pm

Venue -  Lamakaan

It was a night where three humorous plays were played, here is the date time and venue. Before I review each play, I would just give a briefing, which I received in my mail. 

"Yamdude"

About The Play - This play captures the unique trip of Yamraj (The Lord of death) to earth in order to collect the soul of his next candidate on the list, which leads to a `Hell` lot of confusion, miscommunication and global entertainment

Review : 

This was an interesting play, but I might have missed the interesting part, I got to know this, after a briefing with my actor-friend Rutwik. (Rutwik, played the role of Yamraaj in this play). The interesting part is that at one point Yam asks the guy who is considered as thief "Telangana Aayega Kya" and the guy responds "Baigan, mere ko kya pata". Now, these guys in English and is African, but only this line he utters in Hindi. So I wanted to know if it was impromptu or deliberate and got to know it was a deliberation. The timing of this was just immaculate. Overall, I liked a few parts of the play, and while others were there as if to fill time. I liked it, but cannot say I loved it. 

"Tamilian mismatch and marital twist"

About The Play- Tamilian Mismatch and the Marital Twist takes you along a story, which will show you the stark realities of female foeticide in our country and the after-effects. A Tamilian family where Maniyachi and his parents are worried about their Romba son`s marriage, while girl`s family has the privilege to demand orthodoxically, as per their whims and fancies.

Review : 

A short play that had a message. It's about getting a guy engaged to a girl. But here, the guy must listen to all the girl's parents and girl specifically say. Coz, it's a girl ruled land now. Acted well, specifically by the guy who played the groom, this play is good till the last minute. Only at the end, guy's father comes up with a speech to preach to the audience about the hazards of female foeticide. Except for that speech, which has already been said so many times in various forms, all the rest was good. Yet, I liked this one too just could not love it. 

"Ammi Bane Mother-in-law"

About The Play - Ammi Bane Mother-in-Law is a fast-paced comedy about a young man and his extremely loud-mouthed, Hyderabadi mother. She gives him a surprise visit as he tries hard to keep a dirty secret under wraps.

Review : 

This was the best play among the three and it was superbly written and acted. Naren Yadav stole the show in his role, as the son. And the actor who played Ammi is superb. Written by Naren himself, this play had some great lines. The setup was fun, the dialogues were funnier. To top that, the comic timing was perfect. It seemed, everything fell into place for this play. It went well. Yes, I loved this one. Also, credit to the girl who plays Naren's wife. She did her part well too. 

I apologize as I do not remember the character names. I can say this, it was an enjoyable night for me. Love being part of such plays. Wish to attend more interesting plays.

THE PAST (2013) - FRENCH

A complex story of separation in a family. A fine film that adds intrigue to the complications.

A wife and a husband are going through a tough phase and invariably, children are affected. The child is determined not to let go and seek reasons for their considered break up. It triggers a kind of family drama which might happen in any home. Sanity is a state of mind and insanity is a mere perception.

Asghar Farhadi has made a film called "A Separation" on similar lines and it was powerful. Though, "The Past" is not as good as his previous venture, it still strikes the right chords. In terms of story, emotions of characters, the lines and the ending. It all goes well and the good part is it does not conclude. It ends as if it was meant to ask questions. As if it was made for us to introspect how we interpret emotions.

With the heart in the right place, this film knows how to melt hearts too. With brilliant performances by all, especially Paulene Burlet as Lucie, the film depicts the true emotions of characters which are true. The emotions can be run within a family that is running through the tough phase. Also, this film shows on a realistic plane how a separation might affect the kids in a family. It's sad but true that it is the kids who go through a lot of pain.

Technically, few frames in this film are composed poetically and I appreciate the cinematographer Mahmoud Kalari for that. At 2 hours and 10 minutes, this film goes through an intrigue right from the word go, and the flow is good too. Yet, I have only one crib in writing, that is how come a human take extreme step, without understanding or seeking clarification from anyone she loves. Barring that, this film is good.

A 3/5 for a good film and it falls a bit short from expectations from a director who gave a greater film on similar lines.

BLUE JASMINE (2013) - ENGLISH

One of the most simplistic films by the master director Woody Allen. It makes you love it very easily.

Uncomplicated, humorous and yet tragic, this film is a simplistic vision of the Woody Allen into a life of a girl who has lost her everything. Cate Blanchett depicts the role wonderfully as Jasmine and fits the bill perfectly. 

It's a story of Jasmine, who loves a man, gets married and he turns out to be a cheat and she seems lost. She develops some complications in health and even in relationships too. This is the most easiest line, Woody Allen has picked for a story in a long time. With his earlier films like "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and "Midnight In Paris" have taken on much varied themes and were successful in dealing varied themes, "Blu Jasmine" become a real and a relatable film.

This kind of story can happen to anyone and it is actually boring if it happens. Indeed there is nothing much to do or seek in life after a point. Exactly, that is what played here. What if, there is nothing to do in life and each time you try to move on in life, the past gets back and halts your march. Woody used this cleverly and has woven a normal script with wonderful dialogues.

So much is already said about the genius and yet I have just one thing to say, he is a genius of Dialogue and I want to award him with an honorary award for the dialogues he has written in every film. If the film did not have smart dialogue, it would have fallen flat. But Allen knows what to do with such a story and he cleverly does that.

Also, the screenplay intercuts are smart and they just go with the flow. Infidelity which is a common theme in almost all of his films surfaces in this one too and it does not take much time to establish that. Infidelity comes and destroys a life as if it were a silent killer. No nonsense and simply put, it is dealt deftly by Woody Allen.

I am appalled that Indian Censors have not let to remove the "Smoking Is Injurious To Health" tag for a film, which does not have smoking in the first place and has only a few drinks. Woody Allen chose, if they do not remove that tag, I better not allow my films to be presented. A decision which has to be applauded.

If the health ministry is overtly concerned about smoking and drinking, ban tobacco and alcohol, don't relish the money it makes and then propagate it is injurious. Sick and Hypocritical India we seem to be living in and it makes me sad.

A 3/5 for this. Yes, it is loving but it does not rise to be that masterful Woody Allen film. It's nevertheless good but just not as great as so many other Woody Allen films.

खयालों में नज़र

न बातें होती है उनसे, न मिलते है वो आज-कल
फिर भी खयालों में नज़र आती है वो हर पल

मेरा इनाम

लिखे थे कल, लिख रहे है आज और लिखेंगे कल भी यही पैग़ाम 
हर लफ्ज़ में बसा है आपका नाम, अगर आप जाने ये तो वही है  मेरा इनाम 

पहेली है आप

दुनिया है आप, जिसमे बुराई नहीं 
दफ्तर है आप जिसमे बुरी सौदाई नहीं 
किस्मत खूब है हमारी, आप जो मिले 
पहेली है आप जिसमे कठिनाई नहीं 

बेताब है आप

हुस्न का जवाब है आप 

शबाब का सैलाब है आप 

हसीनों का जनाब है आप 

अभी खिली हुई गुलाब है आप 

हकीकत में ख्वाब है आप 

पर हमारे लिए बेताब है आप

मत करना

मरगया ये भरत आज, कभी सोचने कि तकलीफ भी मत करना
मौत को गले लगा लिया आज, कभी मिलने की उम्मीद भी मत करना
क्यों हुआ ऐसा? क्या हुआ हमको ? ऐसे बेकार सवाल भी मत करना
वजह तुम या कोई और नहीं, और होने का ख़याल भी मत करना
चल पड़े हैम कफ़न को यु, लौट के आने का इंतज़ार भी मत करना 

दिल में बेक़सूर

घायल कर के दिल को चलीगयी निगाहों से दूर 
जाने के बाद भी रहगयी दिल में बेक़सूर 

दूरी में एहसास

दूर हो निगाहों से, पर नज़दीक हो दिल के 
दूरी में एहसास हुआ प्यार पर डरता हूँ कहने को खुल के 

तेरे ही खयालों में

जब तू है मेरे साथ तो न जाने इस दिल को क्या होजाता है
जब तुम नहीं हो मेरे पास, तो भी ये दिल तेरे ही खयालों में खोजाता है 

अपनी अमानत

क़यामत के वक़्त भी अपनी अपनी अमानत को रखता हूँ सही सलामत 
दुआ करता हूँ खुदा से, कि जन्नत दे उसे अगर कर न सका उसकी हिफाज़त 

मंज़िल, गर्मी हो या बरफ

मंज़िल कही दिखाई नहीं दे रही है, पर जा रहा हूँ उसके तरफ 
इस सफ़र में महसूस नहीं कर पा रहा, चाहे गर्मी हो या बरफ 

सौगात

सौगात इतनी खूबसूरत है, कि उसे देखकर होगया तुझपे फ़िदा 
जो बहार लायी हो ज़िन्दगी में, अब कहना मत मुझे अलविदा 

तेरी होठों से बात

तेरी होठों से जो बात निकली, करदिया वो मुझे पागल 
अब न दूर जाना मुझसे और न करना मेरे दिल को घायल 

हम तुमपे मरते सनम

अगर आप कहे तो हैम ले सकते है दूसरा जनम 
लेकिन उस जनम में भी हम तुमपे मरते सनम