Indian Oscars

Resul Pookutty created history being the first Indian musician to be conferred with the Academy Award. But then no one had expected to see what happened afterwards. The din was ebbing after Resul's touchy speech when our very worthy A R Rahman walked up to receive the prestigious award for the Best Composer for Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire. Hardly had he left the stage but to re-enter with a live performance at the Kodak Theatre of two of his compositions O Saya and Jai Ho with a motley mix of foreigners in Indian attire and MIA in tow. A noteworthy aspect is that of the 3 nominations for the nest original song of the year, 2 were from our very own ARR and the third was from the animation Wall-E. The performances closed; ARR and others had not even left the stage when lo and behold ARR was called again to receive the Academy award for the best original song along with Gulzar Saab for Jai Ho. ARR delighted Hindi and Tamil movie-buffs alike by reciting two lines in both languages.

Add to this the award for the real-life documentary of Pink, Smile Piny and India walked away with 4 Oscars and 4 Academy Award winners.

Think of what the new movie credits would show henceforth - Academy Award winner A R Rahman... hmmm. that surely "does" sound very pleasing to the ear :-)

I do not think I ever watched an awards ceremony as religiously as I did this time for the 81st Academy Awards on 24-Feb-2009 (IST) and it was certainly worth every minute.

There are those who wish to gain popularity by announcing their joy in how ARR, Resul and Gulzar Saab have delivered the goods, in addition to Pinky and the cast of Slumdog Millionaire (I personally hate it when people refer to the movie simply as Slumdog) and there are those who have gained sufficient media space for speaking against the Awards and the essence of Indians rejoicing a British film's success. To those who fall in the first category, I do not have anything to offer but to those who are part of the second category, I would like to ask if the aforementioned names were not Indian. If thou does not like the movie awards, so be it... atleast respect the Indian-born winners.

Great work ARR, Resul and Gulzar Saab... I am certain this was not the last time you have stepped on to the Academy Awards stage... you will be back and there will more Indian technicians too.

The Satyam fiasco

Surprising how everyone is after Ramalinga Raju alone is being held at gun-point... Is it ever possible that just one man could evade everyone including his BoD for full 10 years. All the members of the BoD with special mention of the COO and CFO are also equally responsible. Just because RR says that everyone is clean and he alone is to blame, let the regulators not take it at face value since we now know what that is... a simple pack of lies in all hues. Worse than the Satyam BoD people are those in PWC who have simply let this reputation take a beating. I am interested in understanding what the Firm has taken action against those individuals involved in the audits. Immaterial of what the investigations bring forth, those who have lost have already lost and they are fully entitled to atleast some peace of mind in getting full details of the scam and proper punishment to each and everyone involved - not just the scapegoat called Ramalinga Raju. My heart goes out to the 53000 odd employees of Satyam who, in this present Market scenario have to hunt for jobs which do not exist in large numbers.

The lousiness of a movie review

"Ghajini" in one word is 'GREAT'. It is most probably one of the best movie of 2008, if not “the best”.

When I first read the review by Khalid Mohammed, who until last Thursday was someone whose reviews I used to look forward to since he was a director of class, I honestly thought that Aamir Khan burnt his fingers this time.

Before I went for the Friday show of "Ghajini", I read the review by Times of India where it was called a "blockbuster". Now I was in a dilemma - how can the same movie have so very different reviews, especially since Khalid Mohammed's review literally tore apart the movie. Imagine the pun intended when he names Aamir Khan, Asin, Pipes, Rods and Ketchup as the cast of "Ghajini". And it got worse in the actual review.

Coming to the point, I went to the movie with no expectations, but the entire 3 hours was very gripping. The acting, cinematography, music, screenplay, dialogues - everything that Mr. Mohammed mentioned was crass, I found it good. And surprisingly everyone in the theatre was moving with the movie and I could not hear even one complaining.

I had just one answer to this difference in views of Mr. Mohammed versus that of the film-goers - et tu Brutus, Khalid Mohammed - even you are sold!!! The economic recession is certainly showing...

The pathos of "Kaise Mujhe" (Ghajini)

I never thought a song could impress me this much; atleast not from a soundtrack which I did not consider to be a classic. But the pathos in "Kaise Mujhe" from hindi movie "Ghajini" simply stole the breath away from me. A R Rahman is at his career best with this song; the beauty of the voice called "Shreya Ghoshal" is literally showcased and highlighted to such an extent in the alaap that... words surpass me... Benny Dhayal was also great and did an excellent job.

I have seen the rushes of this song on TV and must say that AR Murugadoss has given an excellent feel to this beautiful composition with very simple and touching visuals.

This is not a normal pathos song but just do this... be aloof, dim or switch off the lights and listen to the song on a good music system or use head-phones... you will see the effect.

Politicians' wake-up call

Atleast now... after this round of blasts in Mumbai, I wish the rotten blame-game which "all" our political partymen holds multiple P.hD.s in wake up and collectively ACT... If we have the will to and the resources to, attacking the attackers should not be a great deal of work or effort. I am certain that we have the resources, but the will........it remains missing........

BJP's harakiri

Imagine the fate of the ruling party when terrorism in India is at its highest ever rate and when inflation refuses to trough; now can the opposition party "ever" think of a better time than this to further its stake to form a bettter Government in the general election scheduled for next year. I am talking about BJP and its present situation. They have formed their first Government in the South.
Everything seems to go in their favour when lo and behold, there are attacks on Churches in Mangalore and Bangalore and what does BJP do - a big "nothing" which is surprising and shocking. BJP seems to be already getting complacent; they seem to forget that the Urban educated class are their biggest vote bank and they are people who are "not" religious fanatics and believe in a Unified India and these very significant issues are thought of everyday. BJP, I would say is commiting harakiri by staying tight-lipped. Even to this day, there has been no action against the wrong-doers of Mangalore other than an arrest which of course was done "only" on pressure from the Center.
My oh my, when will BJP thank their lucky stars for this wonderful chance to form their Government and also work "towards" achieving this end and not otherwise...

The Singur Issue

I have been following the "Singur" land row for quite some time now. With the October, 2008 deadline for Nana's launch looming large over their heads, I do not personally think that TATA Motors have much choice than to hunt for greener (oops - not greener) better areas outside West Bengal.
I was watching We, The People show on NDTV yesterday and as usual, the conclusion was the same - we need more dialogue. I wonder if Barkha Dutt is not bored of that conclusion that happens over and over again every week it is hosted.
But, the programme I must say did manage to tingle the thought processes - atleast mine for sure. There are many issues to ponder as follows with the most subtle on the top of the list.

1. Corporate lobby - I finally think it is very much for real. Who gets the benefit if the "Nano" launch is delayed - maybe two and three wheeler manufactuers, in addition to those automobile manufacturers who have their own version of under-1-lakh cars in the pipeline. I was intrigued by the fact that so many of these farmers are being well fed and taken care of every day of the agitation. From where is all this money coming from? NGOs? This much money - I do not think so. Is it from the Trinamool Congress? Again, I do not think so; when have we heard of politicians giving away money since TMC does not gain anything in the near term even if the Singur plant were to close.

2. Why is Mamata Banerjee making such a hue and cry when she herself was part of this proposal that was tabled more than a year back? Was she asleep while the session was on - I will not be surprised even if it was so. Why did she not raise this agitation way back if she was not happy?

3. Why is the Congress supporting the agitation 'now" - I think it is because they wanted to give a piece of their minds to the CPI(M) who is the ruling party in West Bengal.

4. Everyone says that the compensation package needs to be reworked, but no one has dared to put a number to it. he so-called NGOs supporting this movement also have no clue about the number they are "fighting" for.

5. If TMC is so concerned about the well being of the farmers, why is Mamate Banerjee refusing to come for discussions till date; why did she need the interference of the Governor to persuade her to come? I mean, what would have been different if she had come for talks earlier?
Now that I think of it, does anyone "really" care about the farmers who have lost or are about to lose their lands in Singur? I do not think "any" of the parties do. Does the NGOs care? I hope and wish they did and that they do!

One final question, what is the guarantee that this sort of problem will not come up in any other state where farm land needs to be converted.

Development always comes at a price - we need to find a way to make both ends meet - develop as well as provide well for the affected. Stalling development is certainly NOT the answer.