Tu-u Khwab’ Saja

Saw “Life in a Metro” yesterday - a nice, though not exceptional movie. I loved it because of the beautiful songs, the locations, some of which reminded me deeply of life back in Mumbai, and because of the Irrfan-Konkona plot, which was fascinating and hilarious (though a bit melodramatic towards the climax).

The other characters/plots did provide food for thought, but then the darkness was a little overstretched, and one had trouble identifying with them as real people. Cos honestly, no one, espc no one living in a crowded, time-killing metro has the patience or stamina to be dishonest all the time.

Some of the locations and moments  in the movie were fabulous – the BEST buses, the tricky issues if your date accompanies you in a general compartment, walking in cats-n-dogs rain – those were nostalgia kick-starters for sure.  

The songs have a haunting effect, and not going to stop running in my head for a week or two at least… In Dino, Dil Mera… hm hm hm hm…

Poor Mr. Retail Invester

The Board of Directors of Beating-Arose Ltd, of which I am a share holder informed me today by means of postal correspondence of their intention to appoint Mr. Sun-naiyo Khoobayyashi as a Damaging Director. Further, they politely averred to a side-effect this would have on my dividend in the forthcoming years, since this appointment would entail redirecting a fraction of profits (a figure with lots of zeroes) towards Mr. SK’s remuneration. Now, why pray did this Goliath corporation take pains to inform a non-entity like me… well, apparently, as a share holder my consent is sought for the appointment.  

Now, my comments/grievances to Beating-Arose Ltd are as follows:

1. My consent?? Hah! Really! Wait, let me get this straight… given the fact that I own 0.000000000000001% of the equity, how much voting prowess does that convert into? Er, does it give me say a right to veto??

2. I’m a share-holder dammit! (albeit a microscopically tiny share-holder)…. you are supposed to make me feel good. And honestly, don’t know what your market analysts have been telling you… but, informing me of this Big-Wig chap who’s Professional Tax contribution is greater than my gross annual income does NOT boost my morale.

3. Er, all those expenses you incur buying paper, toner cartridges, envelopes, not to mention boosting the profits of DheereChal Courier company trying to get this information to the homes of “significant” share holders like me… would it be too much to ask you NOT to do that, and divert the same to my annual dividend?

 4. Suggestion… er, can we NOT recruit Mr. Big-Wig and outsource this position to a person from a fifth-world nation at one-zillionth the cost??

 5. No wait… thats all for now!

 ps. If you’ve recognized the true identity of Beating-Arose Ltd or Mr. Sun-naiyo Khoobayyashi, pls don’t do my chugli… I honestly want to retain my Share-Holdership. BA or Mr. SK, if you happen to read this (yeah right!)… but if you do, no Hard Feelings meant, cross my heart!

Heck, if one can’t register a winning vote, one must atleast crib!

Christmas Actually

What’s a good way to spend your Christmas evening, especially when it falls on a Monday, and the holiday spirits have been with you a whole long weekend. Well, one of the movie channels reccomended watching Richard Curtis’ “Love Actually” for the nth time… for once, I agreed! Very nice movie indeed…

But, that movie wasn’t the only heart-warming viewing of this weekend. Midnight on Christmas eve, I had a sudden urge to slip into my shoes, and take a walk past the Methodical Church around the corner. The church of course, was splendidly decorated in a warm, yet not over-zealous display of holiday lighting and floral arrangements. The choir was playing a mellow tune, and the ambiance was one of serene beauty. It was as I walked back home though, that I saw something even more beautiful. The road I chose to take leads through what is best described as a semi-slum. The residents of this dingy locality were however waving in the festivities with a greater zest. A hastily constructed shamiana protected a “loudspeaker”, that was humming carols in a slightly broken, but certainly cheerful tone. Rangolis were being drawn up on the street, in front of each ramshackle house – stars and christmas trees were clearly outlined, and Santa was being dressed up in the corner. A few kids came to the party, with their share of ammunition, by firing off a few multi-hued “rockets”.

Well, there are things that we Indians are good at, and things that we aren’t, but adding zest and colour to a celebration is an instinct that perhaps runs through our veins!

And shadows still remain

Got out of office early today, cos I was feeling a little tired. It was raining as I walked to the parking lot… not heavy, but certainly more than a drizzle. I was lost in thought, and didn´t notice that it was more than a drizzle till a few shivers ran down my spine. And then, as I backed up the car and tuned into an FM broadcast, almost as an uncanny coincidence it was playing GNR’s November Rain. Now, I know it isn’t november yet, and also that this post perhaps makes no sense (ït would if you knew the context), but it is a beautiful song…

When I look into your eyes
I can see a love restrained
But darlin’ when I hold you
Don’t you know I feel the same
‘Cause nothin’ lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it’s hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain…