WHY I AM A HINDU?

What could have been a scholarly text on Hindu religion or Hindutva has been unfortunately reduced to a rant against a political adversary.

The author goes into great depth of origins of Hindu religion, philosophy, Hindu traditions; their origins in the Vedas and Upanishads. The understanding and explanations are profound and would be treat for every Hindu and a student of Hinduism.
The philosophies of Vivekanand, Savarkar, Golwalkar and Deen Dadayal Upadhyay have been explained in minute detail and are praise worthy. The birth of RSS and their ideology is superbly explained.
The later part of the book, once it touches the political arena- is when the book falls apart. The author is caught in his own contradictions. It sounds as if he has been commissioned to write a book by his political masters!
Mr. Tharoor tells us exactly what he likes about the Hindu way of life. Most notably that it encompasses all ways of worships, atheism, idolatry and even all rituals. (unlike Abrahamic religions) You can have your own way of reaching the ultimate truth. And he hates all the wrongs that are being done in the name of religion by the zealots and the bigots or bhakts as he would address them.
But he forgets one thing. It is this same faith and religion which he is a product of, which has whole heartedly embraced the political leadership of his adversary. Brandishing them as all wrong and taking a moral high ground that only he stands for the Hindu way of life is incomprehensible.
It is this same faith which he praises in the book, which has in its collective wisdom chosen this leadership. So he should be more gracious and acceptable of choice of the majority of the followers of this faith.
This is where his political optics kick in and had he stayed clear of it, the book would have become a scholarly text on the subject. But alas, the author chose to use it for his political ambitions.

GAMEOVER

GAMEOVER

Is it horror? Psycho-thriller? Paranormal? Supernatural? Well its everything and like nothing that you have seen before!

Sapna is a game developer who has been traumatized by physical and sexual abuse a year back. Now she is under threat again. Somebody is watching her house. A serial killer is on the loose. Is she the next target?
She is staying with her maid and separated from her family after the traumatic incident. Addicted to Pacman and nyctophobic she is struggling to overcome her fear and anxiety.
She had taken a tattoo on her forearm depicting the gamepad of her videogame, her addiction. As luck would have it, it turns out that it is a memorial tattoo that has the ashes of a deceased girl. (The one killed by the serial killer) She has got herself inked accidentally.
Sapna is struggling with so much happening to her. Her life goes for a spin. She visits her psychiatrist and tries committing suicide!
Tapasi Pannu is at her phenomenal best. Giving us one hit after another. Bettering her own record. The narrative is impeccable. The background score loud and jarry, probably done purposefully. The pace is moderate and at times gives you a perspective of the killer and sometimes the victim.
“What if life is a videogame?” pops out in the background in of the scenes. It gets more and more muddled and complicated. But it is a riveting drama that doesn’t let you off the hook even for a moment. It is something which has never been done in Indian cinema. It’s Tamil dubbed in Hindi. But dialogues are hardly required and noticeable. It’s the action and narrative. Just one hour and forty-five minutes later you are out of the hall.
Was it a reality? Was it paranormal or was it a game? Was it psychological? It could be anything, delusions or paranoia. You have to scratch your head as the director leaves many things for you to interpret. So if you are ready for this fantastic ride, buckle up and Game On before it’s Gameover!!

RATING : 4/5

PLIGHT OF DOCTORS

PLIGHT OF DOCTORS

Medicine is not an exact science. It is a human quest for knowledge and effort to understand and usurp the forces of nature. In a way, mankind is trying to win over the laws of nature.

It is a constant ongoing battle and we as mankind have made a lot of progress. This progress has happened more in the last fifty years or so. Proportionate rapid progress has taken place in other fields like space science, defense technology, information technology and food management.

Humans have therefore raised unrealistic expectations out of medical science. They fail to understand that it is against the laws of nature that we are waging a battle. We don’t even know what exactly makes a human being alive. The understanding is finite. We still are not immortal and we cannot overcome death.

In an earlier era, it was accepted that this is a normal course of life. Old age, disease, and death were accepted parts of Human destiny. Gautam Buddha had realized it too and set out on his knowledge quest because of the same reason. He found his solace only once he attained enlightenment!

Hence, it is pertinent that doctors and patients understand this. Life is finite. We have progressed and to some extent succeeded in fighting some diseases and have increased the life expectancy a bit, but it is still minuscule in nature’s scheme of things.

Due to rapid progress and achievement of economic prosperity, humans have started feeling entitled to having perfect health. They think money can buy you health and life. It’s not so. They fail to understand that they are fighting nature. And they can’t win.

Doctors in their parlance talk of managing a case. Never treatment. “I treat, He Cures.” It is accepted and understood. Doctors should now make their patients aware of these things. Their unreasoned and unrealistic expectations have to be addressed even before they start ‘managing’ a case and not treating it. 

Every doctor who starts managing a case by prescribing drugs or performing a surgery tries to do it to the best of his capability. Not every time it gives the desired outcome. He tries hard. He also doesn’t want to fail. But it’s beyond his capabilities.

There are a lot of other problems too in this field. Not even the developed countries have a perfect solution. We are plagued with a huge population, which does not have the resources to care for itself. The government can only chip in up to a certain level. 

The problems get compounded when too many people start fighting for limited resources. The system gets overburdened. It cannot cope up with the demand. And then it starts crumbling.

The frustration comes out. The media hypes it. The kind of discourse on television these days, makes it sound politically correct to find faults and deficits in an already crumbling system. With political rhetoric and tacit support, people are emboldened to use violence against the doctors. The softest and the easiest target.

These doctors are the same people who are constantly trying to help you in your battle against disease and death. They are on your side. Trying to steer you and take you as farther as possible. Alas, they are also humans! 

#Stop violence against doctors

CRITICALLY SLAMMED MOVIES I ENJOYED WATCHING

CRITICALLY SLAMMED MOVIES I ENJOYED WATCHING

It has become a fashion and profession to slam everything these days. Be it politics, media, arts or movies. 

To nitpick on the artistic creations of others and brandish it as trash may make one sound knowledgeable and great, but it's unfair to the artists. Take the example of these four movies which I watched recently.

All of them received very mixed reviews. The only one to get some positive reviews was 'De De Pyar De.' Rest of them were literally thrashed and made to sound very mediocre.

But surprisingly, when I watched them I found them to be quite entertaining. It may be so because of the entertainment value.The critics could have been right in finding the technical glitches and flaws. But as long as they entertain, who cares. Audience wants Paisa Vasool entertainment. And these four movies did just that.

Notebook 

Set in the beautiful Kashmir valley, this is a love story. Shot in the beautiful locale of Dal lake, it is mesmerizing and entertaining. A message of love and way to get the misguided youth back on track was very appealing. Thoroughly enjoyable flick.

I have reviewed it separately. Check it out.

Tashkent Files

A movie exploring the alleged murder of Lal Bahadur Shastri is totally engrossing and keeps you hooked till the very end. 

The media slammed it so badly, giving it a rating of even one star. The movie had brought out the hideous role of the media in the conspiracy to murder Shastri. Maybe they were uncomfortable with it.

The role of Intelligence agencies, government, international politics, local politics, media and pseudo intellectuals is brilliantly played out. It is so valid in today's time.

In fact this is a movie which one should not miss, at any cost.

De De Pear De

DDPD is a one hell of hilarious ride. Ajay Devghan and Tabu at their best. Tackling social issues with  balance, grace and poise; it keeps it light hearted and enjoyable.

As I said this one had garnered reasonably good praise from the critics. And it surpassed their analysis. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Bharat

It was badly thrashed by the critics. Giving it a very average rating. But I watched it and was in for a big surprise!

Although totally a BHAI film, it makes you laugh, cry and emote in equal measures. The horrors of partition and the long lasting effects through the story of Bharat (metaphorically too) is endearing and enjoyable.

The loose similarity with Forrest Gump is actually not noticeable at all. If you have seen the original, there is hardly any similarity in the character. So it is just not a valid comparison.

This is gonna be Bhai's major block buster for sure!

So, the next time you read a review and decide to watch a movie, think twice. Many a times they are misguiding and biased. If you connect with the subject, just go for it. Damn the critics.

Notebook

NOTEBOOK

A subtle, romantic and beautiful love story. A master stroke set in the Kashmir Valley; it strives to give peace a chance.

In this age of sensationalism and high pitched voices, the sane and logical voices are usually buried and forgotten. But sometimes a breath of fresh air comes which is gentle, cool and sincere; it brings calmness and smile to your faces. Notebook is one such example.

Set in the Kashmir Valley on the beautiful backdrop of Wullar lake, it starts as a simple tale of love between two strangers who have not met. What binds them and brings them together is a notebook diary of  Firdaus, the teacher (Pranutan Bahl). A diary which Kabir (Zaheer Iqbal), the new teacher happens to find. He falls in love with Firdaus through her notebook entries. He learns how to face solitude, to find one’s  place in universe and also teach the little children; all through the musings of Firdaus.

The story moves at gentle steady pace and gives you time to absorb the beauty of the lake, the landscape and the serenity of the wilderness. It touches upon the growing radicalization of the children and how it needs to be stopped. The most powerful message comes through a very simple thought.

Andhere ko andhera nahi mita sakta

Andhero ko mitane ke liye ujala chahiye

It is a metaphorical reference to violence. It suggests that violence begets violence. It needs efforts to win it over with peace. The story moves in this direction and is very successful in conveying it’s message. It does it in a way which is bereft of any violence. But, the tension and the underlying unrest in the valley is unmistakable.

Such kind of cinema, comes your way once in a while. It is too nuanced, romantic, beautiful and subtle. Don’t let it pass. Soak in it and feel it through your heart. You will love it for sure.