Dostana - a tale of friendship - redefined?

I saw the latest Hindi hit - Dostana, yesterday in San Jose.
It was a bit of a struggle to find parking at the theater, which never happened to me before. Then, I walked in to a packed movie hall, and to my dismay, found that the only seats remaining are scattered across the couple of front rows.

Obviously, all this was building up my expectations, but I should have known better.

I am not complaining about the movie in general, it was an entertainer. A mindless comedy about a couple of hunks pretending to be gays just to be able to rent couple of rooms in a fantastic apartment, owned by a sexy siren played by Priyanka Chopra. As I said, the story doesn't matter. It is full of clichés and convoluted schemes and grand displays of love and other emotions. Well, I expected as much from a Karan Johar movie!

It was a good movie, nonetheless. I had a good two and a half hours, lots of laugh, some great locations, two hot babes, can't ask for more.

The only complaint I have is the way the topic of homosexuality was treated. It is a very sensitive topic, and quite a new one too for the Indian society. To make a complete joke of it, and to portray it in such bad light, to use such wrong and stereotypical representations of homosexual characters throughout the movie is, in my view, unfortunate and unforgivable.

I understand that it was meant to be a funny movie, but couldn't the script writer, the director or producer have spent at least 5 minutes, or 1 short scene, or a few dialogs to separate reality from fiction, and to spread the word on the importance of the issue. It might be in the interest of the movie to show all gay characters as being dressed in bright colored dresses, flapping their arms and behaving effeminate. But, is it too much to expect that a movie entirely based on gay jokes and characters will also clarify at some point that the truth is far far away from it, and urge the audience to treat the subject and the people with a little more sensitivity?

Moral Brigade on the prowl again!

This time is it Rajanikanth who is in trouble.
The Tamil Megastar met his fans on a dais, with a banner on the back drop reading - "Kadamai sei, Palanai Ethirpar" meaning " Do your duty, Expect returns for what you do".

This had kicked up quite some dust. What I find nothing but amusing has angered the Moral brigade again.

Read the Rediff.com report here.

The self proclaimed protectors of the Hindu Dharma has pounced on him demanding a public apology. The reason - simple, the one liner is a direct violation of what is written in Bhagavat Gita, one of the holy scriptures (rather an excerpt from an epic poem - The Mahabharatha).

Why can't we keep our faith and belief in the private domain. Why should some people so vehemently protest a statement made by a film star, which may not even reflect his true spiritual ideology, and is mildly amusing at best.

Let us not be hypocrites - we all work expecting reward for our actions. A few enlightened souls may be spiritually elevated to the level of following the principles laid out in the Gita or any other holy scripture. Why should we try to force it on anyone to the extent of infringing on the right to free speech.

What is wrong if I don't believe in The Gita, or the Holy Khoran, or the Holy Bible?
I am entitled to my opinions, and so is everyone. I agree that we should follow the accepted norms of fair social behavior, especially someone as famous as Rajanikanth, who gets noticed, and whose words get quoted.

But, it is a stretch to ask him to apologize for something as silly as this, or to kick up a storm based on this. I remember other incidents like the time when actress Khushboo was criticized and forced to tender an apology for making some statement to the effect of saying that all Indian women who get married are not virgins, or something like that.

I really cherish my right to free speech, and I believe that anyone is allowed to express his opinions in public, unless it amounts to misdemeanor or worse.

C'mon, grow UP!!!

The Palace if Illusions - My thoughts

Recently I read (heard would be more appropriate, as I listened to the audio book) the book - The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
The Palace of Illusions is Mahabharatha retold by Draupadi (Panchali) through her experiences and interpretations. I really enjoyed reading it, even though Mahabharatha is not new to me. The fresh perspective the book brought in excited me, shocked and surprised me at various stages. The first person narrative was very refreshing, although not new. I had just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel, which has the same narrative style.
The book nicely blends the epic saga with some very contemporary issues - politics, philosophy, ethics, morality and equality of women in the society. Once can draw many parallels with one's own life experiences with that of Draupadi. It also draws our attention to the lesser known or discussed aspects of the epic story - that of the complex relations between the numerous characters.

Try reading (or listening - as I did. The audio book was one of the best I have laid my hands upon. The narration by Sneha Mathan was exceptional) and share your thoughts.