Premji - The Rise of Gujarati Cinema???

I will be honest.

Premji - The Rise of a Warrior is a not the greatest Gujarati film to release in recent times.

There is no direct comparison, but the other two Gujarati Blockbusters by Abhishek Jain were a better watch.

But then, why does Premji stand out?

Why should we watch Premji?

Well, simply because we must.

No, I am not advocating an activist and blind Gujarati lover approach. But all Gujarati movies  (Jo Baka, Dhirubhai...etc) inclusive should be seen by Gujaratis to ensure that the industry gets a boost.

This is not the time to be discerning. We will have to tolerate an average product but if the film makers see that they are not cutting losses and there is a wave which is willing to contribute to the rise of Gujarati Cinema, then chances are, the wave will take it forward.

Good creative people will jump into the arena. Imagine a Khichdi movie in Gujarati, why didn't it happen? Not because of lack of funds or ability. But purely because of lack of conviction.

If a Gujarati family can enthrall Hindi audiences, why can't it do the same in its Mother Tongue?

As far as Premji - The Rise of a Warrior is concerned, I can tear apart the movie and let Vijaygiri Bava take one in the chin. But will it hep him make another better movie. Probably Not. And that is the reason I feel the wave should be encouraged. There are 8-10 good Gujarati movies being planned this year.

It is well known that Vijay has bet his all on this movie. Haven't we all done something like this in the past?

But can we give him a constructive feedback, the space and watch the movie with the eye of a critic but heart of a Gujarati?

Here are the firsts that this movie promises.

Maulik Nayak as a comedian. I have personally known him and in his company you cannot just not laugh. He is the true gift to Gujarati cinema in a long long time.

Happy Bhavsar just re-iterates her class. Well Controlled and effective dialogues.

Malhar Pandya and Namrata Pathak stamping their class.

Watch out for Aarohi Patel. She has a mix of a director's and an actor's blood.

Vishal Vaishya as a villian he is scary and authoritative.

Music is melodious, soulful and appropriate.

Brilliant Camerawork, Locations and visuals.


All in all, I feel, as a Gujarati, you must decide to keep aside Rs 1000 for the next 10 Gujarati movies coming up and go through the motions. #maxkyahoga you will sit in the A/C or miss out a couple of Chinese or Mexican food outings naa. But what if the industry gets the shot and it gives you an additional entertainment option?

The rising industry will get a lift.

Go watch it, its nice, its Premji - The Rise of a #goodgujaratifilm. 

Oh Come On, Let them Cheat!

It was Gujarat, 2001, two weeks from my marriage. I was working with Indian Express and courtesy few senior journalists, we decided to join the Examination Squad and raid schools.

So, off we went to more than 12 schools boldly walking from one class to the other and simply requesting to the stunned pupils to declare any material they had. We collected more than 30 dustbins of material with which we made a campfire.

One school stunned us. As soon as the Board paper was out, one guy furiously started solving it. The paper was rushed to the nearest Photocopying shop and multiple copies made and passed on to the students.

Earlier, in 1992, I had posed as Raju Dholakia and cleared the 12th English Exam (which he was failing for two years) with 68%.

In 1991, Chennai, our Chemistry paper was fairly tough, so our invigilator simply said, "Guys relax, just solve the paper together, only don't make noise".

I could go on and on and I am sure everyone will relate to this and add numerous stories here.

So, how are we different from the parents and students of Bihar? Why are we stunned? Is copying a latest craze or its just that finally the journalists are searching for stories at the right places (besides Prince and others)

I feel it is the education system based on marks and one solitary examination to be blamed.

Here is Why.

Xth and XII are God
So, if I fail my 10th or 12th or score low, what kind of future can I expect? Of course, these two years are a family mourning years. No one does anything important. Of course these are followed by more entrance exams and more number crunching. You may be an intelligent all thru your life but 10 and 12th finals you score less you are stamped (it was opposite in my case).


Where are the Teachers
Have these sucking journalists done a series on where are the teachers in village and town schools? Or even for that matter the city schools? So, the parents cannot teach, the teachers won't teach and yet the student will have to be intelligent to crack the Board exams. Grow up.

Teaching Profession Sucks
We hand the reigns of our child's future to the teachers who are poorly paid, non-committed, ill educated, tuition hungry and then expect them to prepare our kids for Boards (I am not saying Life, yet). So, you dont pay teachers, who do not turn up and then parents can't even teach so, what happens?

Schools are Inadequate
Where are the classrooms, where is the infrastructure? Where would the students study? Show me the space? So, there is no reason and location for the kids to go to study and then, post that the students still dream of a future and the road to the future runs through the Board Exams.

Mugging, TextBook Flaws and more...
The format is wrong. The process of education is flawed. Cramming is encouraged, madness is allowed. Out dated syllabus rules and then you expect the kids and parents to hit the Board with flying colours? Come on, please have a heart.

We are privileged to afford tuitions, send kids to expensive schools and much more. Is the same applicable to 90% of the other India? Yet, we will bring them on the same platform as us and ask them to compete on marks.

Cut the Crap, let everyone copy maxkyahoga at least the neglected India has the chance to catch up with the privileged India and fight a fair war from there.

Let the best Copying process win.

BTW, I made a career out of Copy writing. 

Krish Shall Not Rape

Krish was always cuter than me

So, Nirbhaya II has happened in Gujarat. Guess as a country, we are good at keeping scores.

But what changed post Nirbhaya I?

The only un-asked Indian questions are,

How far are we away from Nirbhaya III (I have bought candles at an wholesale rate, need to begin using them).

When is the next time I can get my mug shot in a newspaper expressing my concern for the girl child and how helpless is the government and our society (my new hairstyle will last only 15 days).

Fast, I need an Update for my rapidly increasing Social Media Base, my concern for the women will get me great likes and even shares. I can click a candle selfie.

I am angry (at something, I don't know), need an issue soon.

And so much more glib talk.

Why is no one really concerned about attempting a different strategy to counter the same problem.

After all, didn't Jobs (yeah yeah woh Apple 4 guy...) say, If you do the same thing the same way you get the same results?

So, here is straight coming to the point.

Why don't we start from home. Why not commit to get our son/s to be better human beings before we start commenting and pointing fingers. Our attempt.

Here are our 10 Commandments for Krish our son to help see better perspective.

1. Krish Shall not Rape
Can you promise that?

Shreelinee, Krish and Self

We (Shreelinee and Me) can and We will. The way we bring him up will ensure that he values this thought.

2. Krish shall be sensitive to Women's needs 
We will ensure that he understands that there are certain boundaries that he cannot cross. There is a certain amount of sensitivity he needs to show towards women.

3. Krish shall respect women
Women are not objects. Women are the reason he is here. Women do not have to be looked down upon, but at an equal level. Women are and can be better than men in most cases and Krish will know it is alright to let it be that way.

4. Krish will be in control
Yes, he would grow up, his hormones too shall rage, he too would have bodily needs, so does everyone else. We will connect with him early in life and ensure he understands how to differentiate the same and manage it. We will teach him to identify when the girl is saying No and when he has to learn to withdraw.

Krish Loves Posing

5. Krish will know Flirt vs Lewd
The world flirts. Both sexes flirt. But there is a thin line before it turns Lewd. When the right time comes, We will be alert and help him understand what is Flirt and what is being Lewd.

6. Krish would know Sexual Harassment
This is not only for his own knowledge, but to help prevent the same happening in his environment. He will mature to be a responsible male.

7.  Krish, Bollywood can be ignored
Sheela may be jawan, Munni may be badnaam but Krish will know what to follow. Item numbers do not glorify women. They only make them sexual objects. The song may be catchy, but the lyrics are best ignored. Dance and forget.

8. Krish will fear punishment
Krish will know every wrong act will be punished and those against women, severely. If everything fails, his fear will be permanent, we will ensure that.

9. I will be Krish's Role Model

Krish in his school uniform

Just the way my father has been mine, so will be me. I respect women, do not objectify them and live healthily, he too will follow my footsteps. Chastity (virtuous or pure from unlawful sexual intercourse) begins at home.

10. Krish will pay it Forward
He will pass it forward to his next generation. He will ensure that our values live beyond us, just the way I am doing that of my virtuous Gandhian Grandfather via my father.

All, I can say is, in a country of 1.2 billion it is impossible to curb or prevent rape. But can we begin with our homes and surroundings?

Can we begin with the males of our families. Maxkyahoga next generation Society will surely benefit, child by child, adult by adult.

I have. Hope you too.

What the Bhakt!! I Am

भक्त {bhakt} = DEVOTEE(Noun)
Usage:Mira Bai was a devotee of Lord Krishna.

भक्त {bhakt} = ADMIRER(Noun)
Usage:she had many admirers

भक्त {bhakt} = AFICIONADO(Noun)
उदाहरण:गांधीजी सच्चाई के भक्त थे |
Usage:Mahatma gandhi was aficionado of truth

And then there is Bhakt Prahalad (better name for Blue Prints in days when they were not so easily available).

Wonder what kind of A Bhakti am I demonstrating when I speak good and positive about the Country and its leadership?

But off late this word has come to haunt anyone who speaks in favour of the Government (read as Modi). Not to mention, anyone who speaks against is called sickular.

I have a pro-Congress ex-boss who revels in calling me a Bhakt (a Modi Bhakt). I have no issues whatsoever being referred to it, but what hurts is that this polarization is making people miss the moot point that people cannot be branded with the same colour for the stance they take. As, both stance and life are dynamically related to experiences and circumstances.

There was a time when most of Modi lovers had developed a soft corner for Arvind Kejriwal and would have surely voted had it not been for 49 days debacle (I for one would sure have), then why am I still a Modi Bhakt?

Why am I not a Bhakt for Society? Why am I not a Bhakt for India? Why am I not a Progress and Development Bhakt? Why am I not a proud Desh Bhakt?

At the core of the issue are two facts,

Others cannot tolerate change.

Others are still caste ruled.

Others believe Congress is meant to rule and hence deserves to rule no matter what.

Bhakts believe Modi should be given a fair and positive chance, change is way of life.

Others feel India second rulers first.

Bhakts feel India First and Modi second.

Others believe Rahul will rise and rule the world.

Bhakts believe, that too may happen, till then let the next best man run the country.

Others believe, Modi is always wrong and can do no right.

Bhakts believe he can be right and can be wrong too. But you cannot see him in a single lens.

Others cling on to the past and refuse to allow the future.

Bhakts learns from it and attempts to better the future.

To Others, people cannot change, cannot make mistakes, cannot go wrong.

Bhakts believe everyone is human and can and should get a second chance (let Rahul return)  

 

Others will dig, compare and bring out statements from the past and compare them.

Bhakts will move on and look forward.

But, if this is not affecting me, why am I even writing a blog on the same. Guess, I am right. I should stop it right away and focus on living a life, rather than be bothered.

Yes, if it pleases you, I am a Bhakt. Any Bhakt you may want me to be maxkyahoga Others 
will be happy bus.  

Only Thankless Farmers Commit Suicide

Krish, my son, is gung ho about being a farmer. All his class mates and most of the kids his age are.

He keeps fantasizing about the smell of the soil, the toil, the bullocks, the tractor, the sowing, the scarecrow, the seeds, the natural pesticides, the organic fertilizers the green fields, the bumper crop, negotiating great prices, basically providing Indians with good healthy food and living a lovely down to earth life. Yes, he is also connected with life which includes aspiring for the latest gadgets, branded clothes, fast cars, world tours and much more. Every Farmer is rich.

Like many generations for 60 plus years of independence, Krish too has been living and dreaming the farm dream.  Of course, like all the governments for the past six decades he is confident they will continue helping Agriculture grow each year at 3.5%.

India was always an Agrarian society pre and post independence. Various governments always understood this and hence have done so much to boost Agriculture.

Today, a full 15% of India is into agriculture.  And mind you, every politician is concerned about them, pre and post elections. Haven’t you noticed the infrastructure that farmers have in each state? It is only stupid to find out that this is a great drop from 42% at time of independence.

A lot has been done for the farmers. No more dependency on rains. Great quality of seeds, fertilizer, technology, road connectivity, Drought Free, Agri markets for fair and equitable pricing, no exploitation from middle men. Did I forget to mention, soft loans free of money-lenders, free electricity, great educational research, foreign know-how and more crop yielding opportunities. Farmers in India have it all.

They are exploitation free.

Arrey, even the urban kids idolize the food provider and play games on their ipads growing vegetation and trading. Ode to the Indian farmer from their rich urban brethren is Farmvile (so many freaking requests)

So, why do such large number of farmers commit suicide? Losers. Thankless sickos. Look at Sharad Pawar, Amitabh Bachchan and the host of other farmers, how come the system works for them and not for others.

We have to keep doing the same thing over and over again till we reach single figures and then maybe say sorry. Yeah yeah, a farmer’s son does not want to be a farmer and wants jobs (idiot). 

Average farmer would quit the profession as soon as an alternative is provided (another idiot).

There is 60% youth in India, a majority skill less, job less and going by the opposition parties, worthless (idiots all).

So, when a Land Ordinance prepared by the UPA amended by the NDA is presented why do the freaking farmers agitate (I hope they have)? They are on a token cycle strike of one single crop waiver. They have taken to the streets naa.

The government, like always, is their enemy.

Of course, this land ordinance will ensure that all industrialists will line up and build big industries over farms. Rest of the Indians will be just mute dhakkans silently allowing them to do that. Mind you, these industries would be only chocolate and chips factories which will benefit only urban Indians. Naaa naa what Power plants, what nuclear energy (are there even industries which are benefitting the masses?).

Arrey shut up, hospitals and schools are not a priority for the rural folks. They are a healthy lot, besides there is no education required for farmers baba. Land (arid, desert, non-agri, reclaimable) should only be for agriculture, so what if no crops grow there.

Yeah yeah, this land ordinance will empower the government to pick up prime agricultural land and when the 20% land is bought back it will never have any value, this can never happen (arrey Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority’s model adopted by the country and awarded internationally is a major Modi Scam baba).

We have to strongly oppose the 5-10 yr deadline without understanding (Indians are SLOW, they cannot build a nuclear reactor in 5 years, losers)

Opposition has to cry farmer farmer and magic happens (Krish is on cloud nine when farmers are referred).

So, the farmer is and always would be successive governments’ top priority (in today’s case only the opposition’s).

I think the Opposition is right, the bill should not be passed. The farmers should remain farmers, and be the fodder for politicians wanting to get elected again, over and over again.

We should only oppose any form of development model because it comes from Modi maxkyahoga only the youth and a chunk of India will suffer naa, but our point of opposing a 2002, Business Friendly Hindu captain of India is fullfilled naa. 

  

Did one more thankless loser commit suicide? Chalo Party!!!

Yes! Mother Teresa Served to Convert

"I have no Faith. Repulsed, empty, no faith, no love, no zeal … What do I labor for? If there be no God, there can be no soul. If there be no soul then, Jesus, you also are not true".

(Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light. New York: Doubleday)

There lived Shreehari (no second name), abandoned, begging, starving, maggot ridden, gasping to breathe, decaying and barely alive. Mother Teresa comes, caresses him with her bare hands picks up his frail structure, takes him to hospital bathes him, treats him, feeds  him and in midst of this, murmurs few good words from the only spiritual book she knows (Bible).

Shreehari survives for six most glorious and respectable days, as his soul abandons the Wretched Body. But here lies the problem, Hey Ram, Shreehari must have died a Christian!!. He must have been converted to Sam Gonzalves or Sam D Costa or the likes. 

Shiva, how cruel. 'Sewa cannot be with a motive'. The only motive should have been to serve, so what if we didn't do it, you cannot.

BTW, did Sam/Shree die happy? Did we lose a Hindu to the Christian conversion brigade.

Damn well, we did. 

How dare this old lady give respect to a Hindu who was condemned by his Karma to die a maggot ridden, painfully slow death. Now, that he, like thousands of other such poor souls, had been willfully deprived of a Hindu death into a more peaceful, respectable Christian death, we should be furious. 

We need to question their financial dealings or blame their poor maintenance of financial records (Oh ignore our poor management to the build up of Swiss Black Money). 

We should doubt their sincerity, their honesty and more importantly, their love (only love is the love of Ram for Sita and likewise). 

We need to be worried that someone is taking care of Hindu destitutes while we are busy praying and offering tonnes of milk to Ganesha. 

So, by questioning Mother Teresa what do you achieve? 

More Ghar Wapsi maybe?

Stopping and Intimidating Christians (they seem to have got a PM shot in the arm)

Prime time TV Space (back to back debates).

Relevance to rallies and Speeches (when was the last good thing you remember from Bhagwat)

Ego Boost to the Speaker. (I am Bhagwat, I am Relevant, Important) 

Fruitless Social Media Trends. (Times Now is the Global Twitter partner)

Surrogate Hindu Funding. (Ghar Wapsi Projects)

Mind off important topics like "Where is Rahul Gandhi" (Brainstorming in Bangkok!!)

Or Simply sidelining Anna and his agitation. (Oh, he might be right)

Maybe some more notoriety? 

Why is the Government defending such demented souls?

Why not take a stance and win over humanity? Hindus are humans too (we hope).

I am a Hindu, I deplore these words and thoughts. I would rather be a Christian if the religion gives me 10% of the strength to do what Mother Teresa did. 

Go Mother Teresa, you may have made mistakes or actually have been a full Conversion Agent, 

I DON'T CARE. 

All I know is there is no soul who can replicate your nobility.

Mr Reformist PM, come out, assure and assuage fears that our icons won't be faulted simply, silent them, maxkyahoga your respect will be quadrupled and it could be a good head start going into Bengal Elections.

Good BJP Lost

So, 67-3 is a great score for AAP. 
We all knew that BJP did not have the ammunition within Delhi and had to import Kiran Bedi. 

We were well aware that Kejriwal had been given enough time to re-group and apologise for his 49 day run. While we knew it was going to be a tight contest with AAP having the lead (and was Congress ever there?), we were not prepared for this drubbing. 

But is it really a drubbing? Or is it a fruitful loss before the larger battle in Bihar, Bengal & UP?

Well, here's why, 

1. Leaderless Delhi
BJP Delhi was always a divided unit with Dr Harshwardhan doing Centre Service. There was absolutely no single face or a leader. Whoever Modi/Shah would have chosen, there would have been turmoil, unrest and non-acceptance. God forbid, they would have won, it would have been even worse governing on a day to day basis. A loss here is a slap on the local unit more than the National Unit. This way, they have been shown their place and maybe they would re-commit to building what BJP never was. Maybe there would be a local unit under Nupur (she looks potential). 
Without a local leader do not enter an election. 

2.  Mythical Modi Wave 
It is good that the Modi wave has been given a rest. What was in May 2014, is not so in Feb 2015. Modi's rallies may not attract large numbers, not because he has lost the sheen, because the content is not relevant today. For a 49 day old AAP, the anger is not so much about mis-governance as much as about ditching. People may want to forgive AK for the sincerity of his apology. Its time BJP comes out of the mythical wave and understands that there is more to BJP than just Modi.
Prepare Bihar & UP with Modi in a cameo.

3. Now TV is busy
Endless TV debates will keep anchors busy. They will dissect AAP victory, follow up on its people, ministers, promises and hold AAP on a short leash. With AAP being enthusiastic to prove their mettle will do good work to ensure constant TV coverage. This will give BJP a breather to work on a good budget, good re-grouping and greater introspection.
Media may not be hungry for BJP for a long time.

4. Battleground Bihar & UP
Now is the time to focus on Bihar and UP. Delhi was small these two states will give Modi and Shah large number of Rajya Sabha seats to make some pleasant and unpleasant changes. Hopefully, they will not take it as easy as Delhi. Over-confidence would have found its place and fear and respect set in.
Gear up, a slap on face is better than a kick in the butt.

5. Respect your Opponent
LS elections actually had no opponent. Pappu and Congress had lost the plot. AK did bother them for 49 days but sadly he too fizzled out. Since then there has been no credible opponent election that BJP had faced (Maharashtra, Goa, Haryana, Jharkhand)...mostly it was decimating Congress. J&K proved difficult, but Delhi showed them what a determined opponent speaking their language can do. Bihar and UP have the formidable Yadavs and local opponents who can give them a tough fight.
BJP needs to thank AK for a minor rash.

6. Love your Voter
Impatient, aggressive, demanding and Intelligent is today's voter. Mass media has empowered them with information and opinions. This makes it difficult to run away with words. So, the same people who handed you a victory 8 months ago have you languishing today. BJP needs to keep its ear to the ground, listen to the heart and speak its actions.
If the voter failed BJP they might even fail Akhilesh, Mamta & Nitish.


So, it is now time for BJP to focus on its promises and deliver something people can talk about for quite sometime (if not the Rs 15 lakhs in the accounts).

One loss is a good wake up call. More than one and we are surely not seeing a grand celebration of Gandhiji's 150 anniv Clean India.

Koi Na BJP one Delhi lost, maxkyahoga nothing for the moment, only you will be more wiser and down to earth and hopefully, hasten your delivery and fight better (maybe even hire better speech writers).