love : the alibi

i love you more than every yesterday,

i breathe you, every single day,

my heart that beats says it loud,

like a little girl whose riddle was unwound,

i found my treasure, my life in you,

richer than haven, pious than morning dew,

you came like a rainbow, shielded miles of my sky,

when i missed my steps, you filled in, camouflaged the stage with your entice,

today, i slip, i stand,

yet you withstand, 

you hold mountains of love in your hand,

when even slips away from my hand a grain of  sand,

i know when we are done with life, and bid good bye, 

we would but still be living, our love would be the alibi.

pic courtesty : http://www.claudiampublications.com/TheCards/CardReflection.shtml

find no love, feel it!

i have been here eons before.
here my heart was brought to the fore.

the hearts met, promises were made
i discovered myself under his shade.

then he said, you are mine.
lets undress, lets unwind

we then rolled over the hay,
i felt divine, like night shone over day.

my lips met his,
it was bliss.

he said,
the words in bed.

one by one we turned around, and our virgin joys were spayed,
suddenly under the brazen coldness of heated day,

we started the end
with pretense. 

then i realized i was devoid,
null and void.

my silence was lost in the world so quiet,
i found my shadows disappear under the light.

never could again,
feel love flowing in the same vein.  

full of ifs and buts.
i turned a slut

the world loves a lover, until he is ditched.
life is a crazy witch

the world teased my fears,
while i fleeced my tears

until my eyes were dry,
and i couldn’t cry.

i saw no hope, in the world so dark
shared my bed with many, just to spot the spark.

then one day, star shone bright.
to the web of someone, i clung tight.

i thought id never say it again,
but said the words from my heart so inane.

i hung on to the phone, and smiled away,
with speechless eyes hollered yay!

you made me blush, but left in rush,
with no sound, he left my mind unsound

i remember the day, i wanted to die.
now, i want my life to fly.

i was once a wingless bird. 
i have now found new wings; want to flaunt them to the world.

i want to fly away in the virgin sky,
now, today i want to live, id choose another day to die.

now i no more have to find love, i just have to feel it.

i’m loving it, living it … within me.

the due dew

that was an other day

when my life was swept away.

off the shore i almost sunk,

battered with one lung.

... and then again, another day,

the wind chimed in my way.

over the shore in pristine blue, 

mirroring the sky was a lone droplet of dew. 

in heat in despair, 

the dew with no care.

before the dew could die, 

...the waves could eat and the sun could dry. 

...came a whiff of wind, 

with me within!

i quenched my thirst, 

now dew, you are in my heart and blood,

you run within me.

in me. 

sometime back, i was old

When we met the other day,
the day was young in her own way.

Our paths crossed, our battered lives met.
We chatted long about the promises of our lives that were not kept.




We cribbed and cried about our pasts that we couldn’t change.
About the entire transient tomorrows that were without a name.




We shared our joys; we shared our fears,
Spoke of what we loved and what we wish we neared…




I don’t know what we can, or if we can give our relationship a name.
But ever since I have met you, life for me has not been the same.




Those notes, those anecdotes,
those train rides.
That little blush,
the car drives,
the coffee date with you mate.






They say age is a matter of the mind.
May be they just are trying to be kind.




I am graying old, with still no hand to hold
with just tales of pain and a story of frozen love to be told.


As we move on, many lives we might touch,
and many may be loved




you are a young man now,
with a story untold.
i am older,
yet waiting for my life to unfold




I wonder if it is the right time to add,
a chapter in my life…


It would be wonderful, if we are single when years later, we meet again.
And if we still have years left in our lives.




I’d like to confess, (I know this comes out of the blue)
but before you go, I wish you know, “I’d love to grow … young with you”.

...setting a trail

you know how it feels when your most dreamt dream is realized. you don’t know. you will never know how i feel when i feel what i feel.  this is different. this is special. this is me. while others enjoy their joy of taking spree, i am here silently and profusely experiencing the orgasms of joy of believing. a dream that we believed in. a thought that was like a wingless bird, today flies high in the zenith of the sky.

all across, from india to new york, “Amen” travels and leaves a trail of posterity. this one is not a film, it is a design that decodes and untangles the webs of togetherness, of pain, of conviction… conviction to believe in what we thought, and for what we fought.  against all odds and ghastly winds, to finally deliver this baby with a flight of her own...  now she devices her path. her own path.

“Amen”, you lead, we follow.

“Amen” visits engendered film festival, new york. 

*image courtesy : our google chacha

Love The Man In The Mirror

I’d bare my body, to clothe your soul.

I’d die this moment, to live a whole.

I’d create sound to give waves to the quiet.

Id give up peace of the complacency, just for the unsettling mindless riot.

I’d fly away with half grown wings….

I’d dance on the moon and over the sun sing..

I am in love I feel.

A special kind of feeling this is.

I expect none, seek nothing in return.

Loving is not a favour, it is my instinct… and my being…

Im  sure your mind will dance to someone’s rhythm,  feel  someone’s pulse.  

And I love you so much that, I’d love everything that loves you..  

Irrespective of whether our roads meet on a highway..

                                 
From the truth, I cant shy away.

It is true, I love you…

But!

How can I expect the same from you,

When I love you, your share too?

image courtesy : http://www.beautiful-landscape.com/Print-of-the-month-39.html 

Mock Your Fears! … Tere Bin Laden

It was a lazy Sunday. I had a terrible headache. my plans to hangout with a friend and watch inception fizzled off. And I wanted to see a film. So desperately to see a film. My options were many – Lamhaa, Tere Bin Laden, Inception, Sorcerer's Apprentice, Udaan (Khatta Meeta is off my list). I dint want to sit in the theater with a headache and analyze whats happening in people's minds or what a youth goes through or why Kashmir is burning… I wanted to have a chilled out time… with a total popcorn flick. And thus "Tere Bin Laden" (TBL).

 

The film is a total entertainer. I hate to "analyze" fun films. Yet I would like to state that TBL is a has a strong message sent out very subtly and in a comic way. The plot is scatterbrainy, the film is a total nonsense… but that's the very essence of the film. 
 


Fear is an emotion, I wish we could we could make a joke of. And this film just does that. The film speaks of the terror phobia post 9-11 and the real desperate methods that both countries deploy to trap Osama Bin Laden.




 

The film opens with a desperate Pakistani reporter, who wants to make it big in Amreeka. This is post 9/11. There are moments in the film that are so fragile, that just flimsy slip and the film is doomed. Moments like, when the main protagonist – Ali , is seen rehearsing on his handy cam – about the perfect way to speak "Muslim" in American accent. He settles for "MOZZLIM" as the Americans pronounce. It makes a mockery of phobia and racism by showing Ali being arrested for just holding a butter knife in his hand. Guess what… the brutal torture that suspects are subjected too is shown as a song – ULLU DA PATTA. Now, you can imagine, how tiny is the rope that the film balances itself on. But it not only manages the acrobat, it also manages some somersaults on the tight rope. After a series of events, in a wonderfully scripted plot, the reporter spots a man who looks like Osama. And he thinks of making a video with the fake Osama and selling it to a channel for a big quick buck. And he succeeds. Who join him in the coy ploy plot?

 

1. 
   
   A sexxaad makeup artist (who leaves osama awe struck with her vital stats)
2. 
   
   A round bottomed cameraman
3. 
   
   An lackluster radio jock
4. 
   
   The cock raiser (no pun!) – Osama Lookalike – the adorable hero of the film.

And many more mad people…

 

The film is difficult to describe scene by scene, as it is an experience by itself. The film touches on issues like animal empathy, Racism, Bombing of Afghanistan and of course terror… without spelling it out. It is all done in the passing and in a light hearted manner that you take home the message without being obvious or force-fed.

 

Though I love serious films. Much that, I am associated with I AM Abhimanyu and Amen, I should admit that cool comic ways of telling gory tales the best way to communicate a strong message to the masses. And this film achieves that effortlessly.

Performances are avant-garde. Ali Zafar as the America-lover is sexy… (Pak guys are super hot). Just that his face looks as if it was smashed on the elevator door. The radio jock is fantastic. Barry John as the dimwit American stands up to the standards of the acting academy that he runs in real life. The make up artist (don't know her name) is perfect. And the taste-the-thunder is Noor – the fake Osama. He is just adorable – take home show mom.

 

The music is forgettable, but who cares, it fits in the film like hand in glove. We get to peep into Pakistan, which is not very different from what we saw in delhi6.

 

This film is set in Pakistan, and produced by India. Hats off to the shetty sisters and sharan kapoor for their conviction and trust in the director – abhishek Sharma. This film could have slipped to being crass even
if it missed the point by a whisker. For the producers to have faith in this script and to stand by the director is a great gesture.

 

A brave film. A fun film. A nice film. Go Watch It! Just leave your analytical brains at home… 

Truth is the stranger, not fiction.

My article published in the eZine – Pink Pages read it here : http://bit.ly/ppag11

He was handsome. Nice. Good looking. He flaunted his dimple, looked rich. He was appeasing and pleasing; he left my hormones bumping and heart pumping. I met him at the loo. A public loo. A place not so sacrosanct for meeting someone for the first time, I know. I found him handsome, and his eyes said that the feeling was mutual. Time was fleeting, every second seemed an hour. I wanted my body to collide with his. Feel his lips with mine. But I had no time. I had my mother waiting for me home. And before I could make the move and give him "those" looks… my ringtone broke the monotony. It was my mom; she was screeching "dinner is set, where the hell you are". I softly replied "on my way", she hanged the phone and my fate hanged in misbalance of thoughts. My mind was back in the drain. It was a feeling insane. And before I could gather all my thoughts, he moved behind the urinal and flashed his willy. I got scared, my face charred, and my fright was on my face bare. I rushed out of the unholy place. I was horny, but I wasn't willing to "do it" with a stranger. An absolute stranger.

He followed me. I got into a different building to deceive him. After around 5 minutes I got down the strange building and headed home. And yippee, finally I breathe a sigh of relief, now that the drama has ended. I joyously hip-hopped to my home, played with my dog. I stood at my balcony to feel the wind. And aghast I was. He stood there, smiling and winking at me. I wasn't out-n-about then. I was scared now that I was busted. He stood there giving me signals for a while and later vanished into the oblivion.

Days passed, I never saw him again. Eons later, I again went to the same loo with no other intention other than emptying my bladder. As I was about to leave, I found the same stranger. This time, he had a smile that said much more than what it did before. I was also not that petrified. He followed me out and as I walked briskly, he walked beside me. I tried ignoring him, as his hands collided with mine while walking. Suddenly, he firmly held my hand. I looked at him with a smirk. He asked- "jagaah hai mere paas, paas mein hi hai" (I have place, it is close by) I replied "abhi nahi" (not now). He insisted and I kept refusing. Suddenly, he pulled my hand and took me to the water tank of a building. As we reached there, he unzipped and popped out his penis and asked me to blow him. I tried running away. He requested me to hold his penis. I obliged. And hell broke as I touched his penis. He slapped me real hard. He screamt "saala Matherc!@d, Gud… mooh mein lega, har!@mi. police ko bataoo kyaa?" (Mother fuc@#$, faggot, U will blow??, bastar!, should I report to the police). I was petrified. And as I was speaking to him, there were a policeman passed by giving at the stranger the "I know you" look. The stranger still had his penis visible. Though his backside was facing the policeman. The stranger slapped me multiple times, and demanded a blow. I was scared. He scanned my wallet and took even the change I had. Luckily, I wasn't wearing my gold chain or though I lost my watch. After money and pleasure, he left me. I ran home and told mom that I was robbed. Ofcourse, I was too scared and too much in the closet to tell her the gory details. My father launched a police complaint. But as expected nothing happened. I was scared to travel alone for a long long time. I changed my route, and my mode of transport. It took me many many years to wake up

Later, many years later, I heard several similar stories from my friends. Many with gory outcomes. Newspapers in Mumbai had reported the murder of a BARC scientist, and though not proven, they suspected gay extortion to be a reason. Similarly there has been a similar case in lokhandwala, Mumbai that I have heard of. And many many such incidences have happened with my gay friends. They have been mugged and molested, but what's most scary is the fact that this incidence has silenced their confidence and they now trust no body. One of them, was deep in the closet, and contemplated suicide. It took several discussions and meetings with other gay men to actually get him to regain his feet.

It is important to be cautious, at 30ish now; it'd be blatant white lie if I'd say that I have not had flings. But anytime that I am out on an aphrodisiacal expedition, I ensure that at least one friend of mine is in the know of my whereabouts. And of course, I don't carry much cash, no credit/debit cards and no costly ornaments.

It is important, so that we are a strong community with many friends so that we can fall back on someone or the other for help. And yeah, it is important that we speak up and if we can, report such cases.

And Now, A Film On This Issue

A positive step forward, is a film that's coming up. Onir's film "I AM" is an ensemble of 4 stories knitted together with the common thread of fear. Of these 4 stories, "I AM OMAR" uncovers the nexus between the police and male commercial sex workers. Played by the talented Arjun Mathur and Rahul Bose, this film should be added to your must-watch list. The latest update from Onir is that "I AM" would be releasing sometime in the month of July-August 2010. 

You wish to do something about this issue, silently? well, you could also be a part of this film which truly intends to make a difference. I AM is a crowd-sourced film. Onir invites you to "co-own" the film by contributing as less as Rs. 1000. The film already has some 400 co owners and producers spread across countries and continents. Details of the same could be sought at www.iamthefilms.com

Rajneeti - an orgasm gone awry

this is adults only. Dont read. if you are below 18. Or if you are one of those who cant take things in a lighter vein and are quick to judge... Dont read further. 

Dildo bachha hai ji. (my title for a tribute to the national award winning arjun ramphal)

this film speaks volumes about petty men and pretty women. o! before i do cheer-faad of the story and rape it completely. let me get you introduced to the star cast.

• 
  
  
  smooch kumari (aka kunti.. played by someone)
  
• 
  
  
  slug (smooch's hubby)
  
• 
  
  
  dukhi raja (smoochy's papa)
  
• 
  
  
  chaggan naath (nanapatekar the man behind all the shadyantra, he is smoochy's brother... why chaggannaath?? you need to complete the sentence – apna haath.... and rhyme the word )
  
• 
  
  
  gochu (played by naseer)
  
• 
  
  
  dildo – (arjun rampal – son of slug and smooch. what character of mahabharat does he play??)
  
• 
  
  
  just one shot - ( younger bro of dildo. – played by current maal-gaadi ranbir – he just has one sex scene in the film – thats his power – just one shot)
  
• 
  
  
  ipill ( dukhi's another grand son, dildo and just-one-shot's cousin. he is called ipill because, he is useless )
  
• 
  
  
  slutty savi3 (a sex bimbo.. .god knows her name????)
  
• 
  
  
  dohpati (katrina almost has 2 pati's so how can she be called "panchaali")
  
• 
  
  
  choosela aam (aka karan played by ajay devgan oops.... devgn it should be. he looks like a choosela aam)
  
• 
  
  
  sexy soozie (some chikni chokri from italy)
  

the film begins on a high note there is commotion, drama and a hazaar people at an election rally. some silly political party is screeching on the microphone. it is a campaign for promoting dukhi raja. gochu (naseer) belongs to some dalit party and he raises many brows when he openly protests and takes on the stage. as he speaks the microphone is switched off. but his determination is bang on. he manages to scare away the political party ka big boss – dukhi raja.

gochu has already won the heart of dukhi raja's daughter- smooch kumari. one day, smooch kumari enters greying gochu's hamlet, and starts playing with the droplets of rain. a worried gochu hurriedly pulls her hand as he doesn't like her wet. she might catch cold you see. as his body touches hers, her heart goes bumping and her hormones pumping. she catches the oldie gochus head and pulls his lips close to hers. her lips touch his, his tongue goes in. and they do the sin. morning morning whilst she lay on the bed, sleeping nangi , gochu writes a letter in which he says that he is sorry for all that happened... he just flowed with his jasbaat and all that crap. the dukhi putri is upset. and guess what, she forgot to pop a pill. (that often happens when it is the maamla of the dil). she is preggy. and within seconds, her tummy develops, and she squeals of labour pain. and comes out the baby – the rightful yuvraj of dukhi raja. but suddenly, smooch kumari's brother chaggannath comes in the frame, takes the baby and drops it in a basket, wrapped in a red stroll> the merciless man sets the basket out in the river. the child reaches a poor family. (does it ring a bell.. aiyyo aiyyo aiyoo)

now, years later, the film shows smooch kumari married with another man. (now he isn't important enough to mention, lets call him "slug" ) okay, so smooch kumari's husband is mr. slug. smooch and slug have 2 sons dildo (arjun) and just-one-shot (ranbir). dildo is the heir of the political empire, he thinks so, but he has some tough competition. the competitor – ipill bajpayee (dukhi raja's other grandson, and dildo's cousin). this is the background of the fight. (you may feel free to label one as pandav and one as kaurav. which one... you decide)

now the grand dad – dukhi raja is in his death bed. he calls in his sons and grandsons, and gives the right of being the next chief minister to son-in-law – slug. now thats not something that ipill bajpayee will take lying down. he is red with anger. he teams up with dalit leader – choosela aam (devgn) (this after a series of shadyantras which is hilarious to watch and difficult to pen). now choosela aam is the real prankster, he decides to get mr. slug killed. he succeeds. slug is killed and poor smooch kumari now wears a white saree.

now, the grand dad dukhi gives the rein of the political empire in dildo's hands. but you know... dildo paagal hai, dildo deewana hai. there is one party worker who wants a seat – she is slutty savi3. she walks in a room full of ministers, and drops her pallu. dildo is excited and asks others t o leave the room hallu hallu. they go and he comes. he cant wash it off that easily. not that he had protein stains like how bill did. but he lands in a big locha. slutty alleges rape. and poor dildo is arrested. and it is advantage ipill. (sob sob)

now comes to the fore – just-one-shot (ranbir). he confirms to ipill that he and dildo will flee to america if the charges are dropped. ipill falls into the trap, and ends up losing his throne. he loses his cool on his co-party-chief choosela aam. but they buck up with the devoted slutty by their side. they do some ghapla, and get expelled from the party. but while they rejoice, even "just-one-shot" is rejoicing, as this was his masterplan. he floated his own party.

the new party of justoneshot and dildo doesn't have any money. there is this one girl who is madly in love with just-one-shot from bachpan. her father is a wealthy man. but insists that he will get his daughter "dohpati" (kat) married only to the next chief minister. just-one-shot gives her up, and like a football she is kicked seedha on the older brother dildo's lap. dildo and she don't consummate the marriage. not as yet at the suhaag raat.

now the family gets funded with the money of dohpati's pop. suddenly ipill vanishes. and dildo flourishes. but dildo is again toppled down by a vilify campaign against him by ipill and group.

now enter sexy suzie, who is just-one-shot 's old girlfriend. as she comes in, there is jealousy brewing in the eyes of dohpati. now while domestically, the temperatures are soaring high. politically, just-one-shot decides to topple ipills empire. there was one guy who spoke against the dildo empire, and declared it corrupt. he is in the council of ministers of ipills' empire. he is gay. and has sexual encounters with masseurs, his photo is clicked in "those" moments, his masseur is killed and he is blackmailed. a few frames further, he unravels the picture, and proclaims on tv that ipill is corrupt. before he switches back, he is killed by just-one-shot.

now how could ipill be quiet. choosela aam, strategizes to get just-one-shot or dildo killed. plants a bomb on his vehicle. parallelly, just-one-shot helps sexy suzzie bathe under the shower. and he smooches her, and does naughty things. you know those things. just as to-be-mother-in-law smooch kumari, this babe from italy gets preggy. but soon decides to flee to her country as her beau has changed. she realizes that he has not only killed one person (the homosexual minister) but has also got his men drag slutty to some place for "revenge".

she packs her bags and sets off to leave. as she touches the car, the car blasts. and as her beau watches, dildo who again has just lost his virginity to his wife dohpati dies trying to save his missed-bhabhi... (confusing??? i love it)

now chaggannath, goes to kill "choosela aam". our-of-the-blue for no apparent reason- choosela aam's parents reveal that choosela aam is not their son (heinnn... why????) they bring out the red cloth, which is as durable and shining as it was after so many years. chagannnath gets emotional, realizes he is his nephew and leaves him. he comes back and tells his sister smooch kumari... "woh tumhaara beta hai". saddened smooch, wastes no time in meeting "choosela aam". she tells him "tum toh mere jyesht putra ho. yeh raj toh tumhari hai." (most hilarious line of the film... you should not miss this one) naturally, choosela declines the offer.

finally, some drama cinema happens, (not important)and choosela is shot dead by his step brother (or half brother... ???) just-one-shot. meanwhile, dohpati becomes chief ministerni. woman power!

story ends. and the are credits and a song with music chorried (say inspired if you please) from vande mataram.

this is a film you should not miss. just that you should think that it is a comedy and not a tragedy film.

The Null And The Void.

There are too many sad things and that too soon. Life is taking a melancholic turn, fear looms as it seems we get closer to doom. Just look at the way things have regressed. A plane falls up a hill one day, the next day,  we hear is that the murderer of 30,000 plus people walks free… hearty and hail, out of the jail.

Funny is our judicial system, and funnier is our psyche. We forget too fast. Remember only dates. Twenty six eleven, seven eleven, and yaah, how can I forget twenty six seven. Sometimes I wonder what's rifer; the shame of the rifle or oxygen denied a refill.  The point I am making is that we live in lives so null and void. Our today is not in search of a better tomorrow, but a prayer of not being denied and devoid of a tomorrow… so ominous a feeling of falling beyond repair.

Most of the wounds on humans are inflicted by excited humans. Excited by greed, excited by lust, or excited by insanity. The Bhopal gas tragedy is a result of human greed inciting nature’s fury. Union carbide leaked the gas, and left nature chocked forever. The ones who managed to inhale were welcomed to haven. The ones who exhaled lived in dearth on earth. Some were blinded, the gene pool is left mutated… the signs  of this once-upon-a-time leak, cant be just unjustly associate with a date. Come on people, lets move beyond this chronological classification. What has happed has not just left us zapped, but has left a insolvable blot on humanity. This cannot be wiped, or dated. What's abysmal a failure is not that so many died, or so many lived. The failure as humans is when we let the culprits off hook, frisking away to their country  so easily. After some 20 odd years, the families of the affected have been given some compensation which is reportedly a joke, and the bigger joke is that the one whose negligence and greed gassed around 30,000 people was awarded a mere 2 year sentence, and almost then-and-there we left on bail. What a shame. Kasab was also indoctrinated, these guys were sanely insane. UC deserved to not just be fucked off but also royally fucked for the sinister crimes they committed. But we left them flee as if it were a fly they killed. Pity. Pity…

On a complete tangent, Sri Sri Ravishankar (love the branding- Sri Sri… double god? Demigod??? ), of Art of Living was supposedly attacked. There was huge drama an hungama over it later to realize that the bullet was aimed at stray dogs. And then the enquiry was stalled. I wonder how, firing a bullet on a dog is “okay” for Art of Living bhakhtjans.  I never believe in these god men. I see god in goodness. I know not much about Sri Sri Ravishankar except that he has the sexy Rhea Pillai as a follower who is completely mantra mughdh about his art of living. Art of Living is a course, cleverly disguised as a discourse. There is a fee to attend the art of living, and I have heard that this money is used for charity.  I wonder wonder though, with no specific reference to Sri Sri how do god men get to travel all across the world? I mean, where does the money come from? Does god make currency notes, and smuggle them to god men?

I don’t have an opinion against Sri Sri, but rightly put by Shobhaa De, “A Guru is known by the followers he or she attracts”. Shobhaa De was attacked for her view about “Sri Sri” it dint go down well by his followers, which is okay. What's not okay are the comments. Read it for yourself.

http://shobhaade.blogspot.com/2010/06/raajneeti-rocks-i-loved-it.html

Now, I have an opinion against Sri Sri. If this is how Sri Sri followers attack people, then god alone knows what is being taught at art of living. Funny. If these are god men, then yes, gods must be crazy. 

The heat is on!

The heat is on, literally and metaphorically. The Moaists are in attack mode, and Chidds is in the witness box. The case is up for hearing, the case is on. Undoubtedly, this is the Indie Taliban, and has the ability to be brutal and barbaric in ways that we can’t even imagine. Guess these days, insanity seems to be the flavour season, and insaniyaat be damned. These fanatics have killed more people than Kasab. And in more barbaric ways. I feel, they have gone beyond the “let’s sit and talk” phase. Talk what, and why? Are we planning to reason with them? Can there be any reason to justify their attitude? Chidds acts tough; it’s the need of the hour. Matter not, if there is a circus at parliament over accusations about Chidambaram’s carelessness. The session will get adjourned.  But then again, what’s new in that. Anyways, Chidds is known to take criticism on his stride from both Gharwale and Baharwale. He is a big boy, so no silly grunts and no public vents from him. My concerns are different, more than anything else, I am bothered his mundu and  kanji dipped white shirt,  id be shattered if I spot some daag or crease in those. Till then brand “chidds” – Jiyooh!

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Aiyyo. This is too much of silliness to handle. Khaap ka Shaap  is Khuda-ki-Awaaz or what?  Sure, the science of  Gotra could be justified by genetic maps. And it is school boy knowledge that more the variety of genes, the better is the progeny. But wonder if over generations, there has been a complete bhelpuri of genes anyway. I am born to same gotra parents. I am well and unwell, like any other friend of mine. Thank god my parents dint hail from Haryana. Else I wouldn’t be here  writing this article. Nothing can justify Manoj- Babli’s murder. Nothing at all.  Thought the act is beyond debate, until Navin Jindal offered to take their voice to the Honorable house. How a well educated man can be the Khaap’s voice, I thought. But then it struck me, yeh politics hai yaar.  First become god sent messenger, massage egos and win confidence, then come back saying – I understand, I tried, I failed. We call it the Vote-Bank politics.

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Also, today is a reason to rejoice that Rathore, the guy behind Ruchika's molestation, is convicted. Really? he has been giving a sentence of 18 months. It makes me wonder if he has molested a girl or chorried a watch. 

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Crazy kiyaa re. Cannes has a lot of Indian flavor to it this time. The Ravan crew - Bahu and Baby Bachchan were at their enigmatic best. But the show stealer was the gorgeous wife of Mani Ratnam. (She doesn’t need to be referred by her husband’s name. She is quite a celebrity herself with a national award in her kitty and Kamal Hasan in her genes) She is graceful, poised, simple and elegant. Wonderful to note that our aaj ka Devdas maker – Anurag Kashyap was also there and so was “anything for the camera” – Mallika Sherawat. She landed with a real saap around her neck. “Tuff” job! What she thinks? She will create hissssstory? Well sweets, love your confidence…  try try and try, but  Sridevi of Nagina can never  be replaced. Never Ever!

Kasab : The Martyr?

Have been going in out studios since the past few days regarding the Kasab verdict. The soulless sole survivor captured. I had a stimulating radio interview with BBC. I was pushed into a spiced up discussion about terrorists' hero Kasab. The anchor was very spirited and well informed, and more importantly – not opinionated. I loved the format of the show- with callers patched in the discussion… making it truly real-time.

The main viewpoint of discussion was "Execution or Life Sentence". In my response I said –

"I personally am not for death penalty unless it is the only option. If there was even an iota of hope that such hardened criminals could be "reformed". I would stand for their rehab. But in this case, given the alarming Thoughts of people world over asking for nothing less than the harshest penalty, I am sure no one has the patience or the intent to show any leniency towards him. And also, Kasab has shown signs of remorse and regret. What he regrets is that he was a wee bit late at CST, he was really upset that because of his late coming he lost the opportunity to gun a few more. So now the question is… could we explore a Gandhian stance and be patient with him, despite his wild nature" .

 

This foreword by me kick started a spirited debate and discussion. There were many views; here are some of the thoughts that I found worth mentioning, within and beyond this radio chat.

 

Thought: "if Kasab would be hanged he would be seen as a martyr by his tribe. So let him live for life".

Reaction: Yes. He would be seen as a martyr by his tribe. Now, do their thoughts matter to us so much. That just to prove that he is not a martyr we spend a colossal amount in keeping him alive. Anyways, tax payers wouldn't want their money to be used for securing a terrorist. And when I say this I echo the sentiments of the many in my hugely and variedly populous country.

 

Thought: "Everything is mediated from the Pakistan Soil. Let's wage a war against Pakistan"

Reaction: Yes, the nation should take steps. But sometimes we need to look beyond empathetically. Pakistan is a nation still reeling from terror. Whilst we demand real answers from Pakistan, we should not forget that there are some lovely human beings in Pakistan too. We can condemn policies, we can persistently insist on answers and action against terrorists. But it isn't civilized that we think of waging a war against Pakistan. War is no solution. No matter who is right, war will ensure that nothing is left… in humanity.

 

Thought: "For Kasab this is jihad"

Reaction: It is very easy to take religion and validate your viewpoint no matter what it is. There are always two ways of looking at things, and one would look at it only the way he is comfortable the most.
Not only jihad, people could sit here and argue and counter the argument about issues like any issue by quoting religious texts and proving it is right to be wrong… and inversely. According to me "Religion is not prescribed; it is open for interpretation and is interpreted in a way that suits us best".

 

Thought: "India is a very humane nation. They wouldn't execute people"

Reaction: "Rubbish." We might have a culture of being compassionate but that doesn't deter us from taking a tough stand if need be. Yes we wouldn't execute people like we chop onions and tomatoes or lash up criminals… inhumanely, but our judicial system does give every criminal a fair trial. And post the trial if the accused is found guilty, and if the law of the land says "execution" so will it be. Irrespective of what we think.

 

Thought: "For his handlers Kasab was just a pawn, a small solider"

Reaction: "of course". Kasab is a pawn, so do we let him spawn terror or set him loose, or have an sympathetic Thought to him as he is just a small fish in a big pond?.

 

Thought: "Killing is never the answer"

Reaction: Yes, it is never justified to kill somebody in an ideal world. How I wish we lived in an Ideal world though.

And yes, just in case of a war, no matter who wins, humanity loses.

 

Thought: "Life imprisonment for Kasab because killing is uncivilized. We should let him live the rest of his life in a jail for that's the only "punishment" "

Reaction: Define Punishment to hardened cold-blooded criminals like Kasab? Would "punishment" to him be civilized in any way? In fact, it would be humane to not have him.

 

Thought: "We should hang Kasab in public view or stone him to death"

Reaction: Viewing and participating gory acts of killing, be it killing a goat or a chicken or a human leaves a dent in our memories. It shakes the conscience, and makes us numb. I am not saying this, human psychology says. Read up before suggesting such stupid recommendations. Kill the "Kasab like thought" that dwells in your mind first.

 

Thought: "we are a gandhian nation"

Reaction: Wow! So all Indians are vegetarian? Wear just khadi?

Well… I don't know about Kasab… but Brand Gandhi is a pawn. Definitely.

 

 

Thought: The victims will find reprieve and a sense of closure if Kasab is hanged.

Reaction: Well, may be! But temporary.

 

 

And to sum it all… this quirky reaction …

 

Q) Let's say "execution" is not an option. Your punishment to Kasab then will be…?

Reaction: He should be given the job of an underpaid motorman in a Mumbai local. And should be asked to say "STRIKE" at peak hour openly that all commuters can hear.
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UPDATE On May 06 : Kasab gets death sentence. 


I dont feel happy that a 20 something guy is dying, dont mistake it for sympathy. Just that it is not a nice feeling. Though it is not safe to keep him living. And it is cruel and inhumane to him too. 

You Are My ShoNia

They always skirt important issues...  

.. it all started with her flying skirt, then her dates, and now her life mate.

I usually don’t engage in media bashing. As I am very unfashionable, but this time, dimaag ko shot happened.

The Hyderabadi Biryani has been seen as a mere masala by the digghaj's in the media. The way she laments on TV, it is not difficult to presume that she soon might become the Princess Diana of Indian sports.

Everything she does becomes a headline. Whom she courts, concerns us more than, how she plays on the court. We stand in the stands, left with nothing to understand.


I dont know why the media want to play the real villain in this Veer-Zaara love story.


And the engendered tigers have also roared… They are singing " you are my... you are my... you are my SHO-NIA"... Wish they did spend some time and efforts and raised their voice for the Pune girl. who was raped with the same vengeance. But khair, rape and rapists are non issues. The Sho-Nia love story is where th real meat is.


TOI has become a ghanchakker running behind stories of people’s chakkars. They are fast becoming yesteryears Mid-Day- minus the mate, but with stories of Dates.

Whether Shoaib had hallu hallu "hello hello" nikaah... or did Ayesha dupe her by actually showing someone elses pics.. who cares. Ayesha ulf Maha should just stop churaooing plots from bollywood films... (remember The Angry Chetan ka Chetna)

.

And about Shohaib. What a loss to the Indian media

The Indian Tiger Wood… is not even Indian. Shame Shame.

Love Letter to the CEO of Bombay Gymkhana

(reposted from Gaysifamily)

My darling CEO,

I read about your heroic act of shooing away Laxmi Narayan Tripathi from Bombay Gymkhana. Wow!

Ever since that time, I have been thinking of you in ecstasy. You have conquered my dreams. My Sapno ka Rajkumar. I can visualize  you as a maharaja, riding a white stallion, with a battalion of members of Bombay Gymkhana as your subjects behind you, who support and love you so much, screaming   ‘Hail CEO!’

Your  subjects, I know, would not ask  you to step down as CEO for discriminating. No matter what they say in TV and  print, they love you as their CEO. And what wrong have you done? NOTHING! You have just thrown out a transgender. And come on! that’s a superhuman deed.

To me you are a symbol of strength. Laxmi  is an international name and is an inspiration for many.  People who attended her TEDX workshop loved her talk and championed her cause.

Rubbish!

These people who speak in favor of Laxmi are foolish. Aren’t they? If you don’t like somebody entering YOUR  gymkhana, you should not have that person loitering around there. You are  right. Always right.

And CEOji I am simply in awe of the way you exercised your power to bulldoze. The sentiments of so many who are fighting for equal rights in our country. No one  should have equal rights, should they? According to you, a discriminating  society ruled by those who encompass the majority is how it should be. Full stop!

I know exactly how you might feel about  these petite people from the media who glorify Laxmi and lambast you.  Retaliate, I say! In fact, call the Indian Press and Media “jingoistic”, “looking for  masala”, “playing to the gallery”, etcetera, etcetera. You will be seen more fashionable then. A little tadka of fame in your already colorful  personality, does no harm na! It will put you in the same league as many other bigwigs.

I’d  love to see you in that position.

Finally, Mr. CEO, it must be evident to  you, so needless to say – how much I love you. Since you love throwing  people out can I ask you out?

Lovingly yours,

Aham

(Backgrounder : Laxmi, A transgender is an active voice for equal rights. She was invited by TEDx as a speaker.  The TEDx party was at Bombay Gymkhana, and the gymkhana CEO shooed Laxmi away. This love letter is in response to this incident)

Read the HT article here:  Shame on club!