Marawanthe : West-Coastal Karnataka

Love this pic taken at marawanthe. The beach one one side, and river on the other.

Ravaan - Mani Ratnam's new movie

 Ravaan - zhang zhang zhang zhang zhang ...... story of 21st century Ramayan(hindu epic saga).
A Mani Ratnam venture, shot in 3 languages - Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. When we hear about the film, hear about the director, thats all, we are ready to go for the movie. But are all movies really worth all the hype? I was eagerly waiting for the release of Ravaan, and today, in betwix a lot of things, I went to watch that movie. and BOY it was such a disaster for me.

Ravaan is the story of Beera(Abhishek Bachaan), a terror in a place called Lalmati. Some think of him as Robin Hood and some call him "Ravaan". The movie starts with a lot of police killings, where they show people burning policemen within the station and outside. Rajini (Aishwarya) is the wife of the Dev (Vikram), the new SP of Lalmati.

Beera kidnaps Rajini and vows to kill her in the coming 14 hours. However, seeing how Rajini has no fear of death, Beera is awed, and cannot kill her. The entire first half of the movie is about how Rajini tries to run away from Beera and how he keeps holding her back. A lot of drama with Beera mainly saying the same dialogues again and again, (looks a little psycho here) ... "bakbak, bakbak, bakbak". And atleast I thought that there were a lot of songs in the first half. Rajini's fighiting spirit makes Beera fall in love with her.

The reason why Beera kidnaps Rajini becomes clear in the second half. Lakshman, Ram's brother, had cut off the nose of Shurpanakha, Ravaan's sister. In the movie the scene is a little bit more tragic and makes our police look really bad. Govinda has played the role of "Hanuman", with him finding Sita - Rajini, at Beera's (Ravaan) lair. However, here the "Ramayan" takes a turn. I was expecting Hanuman to light up Ravaan's Lanka, but instead it is Ravaan who burns up Ram's tents, as a revenge for Ram killing Ravaan's brother, who had come to make a truce with Ram. The story takes quite a turn here, with a little bit of pieces taken from Ramayan, but not coming out that well.

I would have been more happy if the movie was named "Beera" instead of "Ravaan". Just because you take a similar type of story as Ramayan and make Beera say dialogues like "Das sir vala hun .." does not make the story about Ravaan. Beera has been shown as a person from adivasi area. So, just like we cannot comment on the naxalites - what their needs are, why they are as they are, we cannot say why Beera is such a terror in the first place. Why he kidnaps Rajini is clear in the movie. But, that does not make him a Ravaan. I am not saying that Beera is good, but guess he is the villian of the movie, from the start. Some people are villians, without any reason. What can I say!!
Overall, for me the movie was a very bad idea. 
If you have liked "Guru" and/or "Yuva", then beware, this movie might be a disappointment to you.

Twilight Book review

The first thing that people know about me is that I am books’ fan – mostly fiction, but when I have time at hand, then I can pick up any book and start reading it. The other thing is –I always like to complete a book that I have taken up, I cannot leave it incomplete however boring or sad the book might be. The only exception to that rule was the “Wuthering Heights”. I had so many people tell me that the book is impossible to complete and the movie has so many characters that you forget who is who. When I picked up Wuthering Heights, I was prejudiced and ultimately my record of unfinished books was broken. I could not get past the first 10 pages, though someday I would be finishing this book.

I heard about Twilight saga when my friends started telling me that they had gone to watch the movie and all females loved it. I am usually not a romantic novel person,  I am all into Robin Cook type  books, but after hearing their comments, my curiosity was piqued.  Twilight saga is the story of love between a human and vampire, the story where legends of vampires, werewolves become true. A love story, that too between vampires and humans, I had serious doubts about how good this book would be. But today, I have read the complete books twice and I can read them again. They have a different quality about them , not a typical romance novel neither an action or suspense novel.

In Twilight, 16-year old Bella comes to stay with her father, Charlie, in a small town named Forks, to give her mom and step-father a chance at their own life.  She hates the weather in Forks which is always cloudy and rainy, she hates being the pale girl and expects her first day in school to be worst. Her fears are confirmed when Edward Cullen, her biology partner, turns away from her and runs off at the first chance he gets, trying not to sit in her class again. However, luck turns her away, when Edward saves her from an accident with amazing speed and strength. Bella does not understand how Edward could have saved her, but Edward refuses to explain and refuses to be friends with her mentioning that it is not the right thing for them.  Bella, being a magnet for trouble, again comes across Edward when he saves her from some goons.

Jacob Black, son of Billy – Charlie’s friend, explains to Bella the Quileute legends of vampire and werewolves. Jacob’s grandfather had come across the vampire family  - Cullens a long time ago and the leader of the family had mentioned that they were vegetarians – the name being a joke within the family, drank only animal blood and did not kill humans. A truce was made between the Black family and the Cullen family mentioning that both can live in harmony as long as Cullens did not kill any human. Though Jacob himself does not believe in these legends, he knows something is not right with the Cullens.

The love story between Edward and Bella gets a little bit of action here when a series of animal killings start in the town.  The killers are however not animals but vampires. With the killing spree going on and the Quileute legends fresh in her mind, Bella puts two and two together and confronts Edward with the truth.  Bella mentions that she is not afraid of Edward but still loves hi,. Edward who reciprocates her feelings takes her to meet the rest of the family. Charlisle – Edward’s father, is the original vampire. Edward is his adopted son, whom he had created due to his loneliness and at Edward’s deathbed as a promise to Edward’s dying real mother. Esme had tried to commit suicide after losing her family, and Charlisle had converted her as well. So was the case with Emmett  and Rosalie. Alice had joined the Cullens family along with Jasper, her mate. Edward has the gift of reading everybody’s mind, however he is surprised to realize that Bella’s mind is a mystery to him. Alice, can see the future and Jasper can control the emotions. Charlisle is a practicing doctor and has never killed a human since his birth as a vampire. He values the human life and being a doctor helps him to save them.

The book describes Edward’s journey of how he has to conquer his thirst for Bella’s blood and love her truly. The love story takes a turn when the blood-thirsty vampires – James, Victoria and Laurent find Bella among the humans and want to make a meal out of her. James, a tracker, wants to find Bella and hunt her. The entire Cullen family now struggles to get Bella out of this mess. The end comes when Edward finally kills James and rescues Bella, but not before James has bitten her. Edward passes the test when he sucks out the venom from Bella’s blood, keeping her alive and human. The book ends with Victoria seeking revenge for her mate – James’ death.

I had not thought that the book would be this interesting but it held me in a grasp that I could not keep the book away. Stephnie Meyer has kept the thrill in the story alive, the flow of the story consistent. My recommendation to all you females would be to read it once and then you can judge for yourselves whether you agree to me or not. For my male friends, I am not sure how much you would enjoy this, if you have lived through the movie then you can take a quick peek through the book, though no guarantees from me to you at all.

Further reviews on the next books will continue …..

A small peek if you wanna watch the movie ..

Queens' restaurant

Queens’ Restaurant – how many Bangalore people have heard about this small restaurant on Church Street? Among all the shiny, sparkling restaurants present on the church street, Bangalore, I doubt if anyone would have given a second glance to the small huddled up place next to a juice centre. I have passed it so many times before, but had never understood why so much crowd was present in front of the particular shop. I had not even known that it was a restaurant till I went to the place along with my some friends a few days back.

Queen’s restaurant is rightly named after the amazing food that they serve. The restaurant is very small with sitting place for about 30 – 40 people at a time. If you are one of the unlucky people who come late, then you might have to wait for some time to get a seat. Though once seated you would be served quickly. The food is really amazing with mouth watering dishes – panner and chicken very nicely marinated and with the right amount of spices – neither too spicy nor too bland. Even if the weather is hot outside, be sure that you would feel very comfortable within the restaurant. The place is very cozy and with amazing food.

If you are one of those who believe the restaurant has to look good to serve good food, then think twice. I would highly recommend this place for you to review your views.

Dishes that I recommend are –  (though these are the only ones that I have tasted till now, I have enjoyed them a lot)

Mango lassi – I am not a lassi fan, but everytime I have been here, I was unable to stop myself from taking a sip of this delicious drink. A true “thandai” in  this blasting hot weather of Bangalore. The

Chicken methi something – though I do not like methi much, this dish tastes really nice

Veg korma

Chicken bhartha – the chicken is in very small pieces and the curry tastes yumm …

Location  - Church street, Bangalore.  Not exactly in front of Mast Kalandar and Oye Amritsar, but towards Brigade road. Next to a small juice counter.

 
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Rajneeti - Movie Review

When I thought of Rajneeti, I had great expectations of an excellent story line, brilliant acting of the wide range of actors and overall entertainment. Reality, however, was much different. Yes, the movie shows the political battles which are true, but I would have wanted a little less murders.  I am not sure how many of you who have seen the movie would agree to me, but for me not much of the expectations I had were fulfilled.

The movie starts with Naseruddin Shah who is the good person against the Indian political battle, raising his voice for the poor and asking difficult questions to the politicians. The politician’s daughter, Bharti, is his prime disciple, going against her father in this war. Then one day, they get together in a moment of passion and Naseruddin realizing his mistake goes out of her life. Bharti conceives a child who is dumped away on the ghats of Banaras by her brother – Nana Patekar. Bharti is then married off to the rival politican’s son and an alliance party is formed out of this new relationship. Now, the scene turns to current day where Bharati has two sons – Ranbir (screen name - Samar) who is doing his PHD outside India and Arjun Ranpal is handling the political party along with his father and uncle who is the leader. The political party leader has a paralysis attack and this triggers off the war to identify the leader of the party.  Manoj Bajpai, who is the son of the political leader thinks that since his dad was the leader, in his absence he should get leadership. However, when Arjun and his dad are given the leadership of the party, sparks fly everywhere. Along comes, Bharti’s long lost son, Ajay Devgan, brought up as a Dalit by the driver of this family. He wants a ticket to stand up in the election and joins the party with Manoj. A war explodes to get hold of the party leadership. Arjun’s dad is murdered, and Arjun is arrested by police on various charges, all brought about by Ajay. A romance is sizzling on the other end between Ranbir and Kathirna (Indu) – a businesman’s daughter. However, Ranbir does not reciprocate Katty’s feelings, and his love is there in his college. With the death of Arjun’s father and arrest of Arjun, Ranbir moves to come into politics to save his brother’s future. Nana Patekar is the brain behind Arjun’s political decisions, with him hovering over all the meetings and subtly giving hints.  A new party is formed by Arjun with his supporters. To obtain the money for elections, a pact is made between Katrina’s dad and Nana Patekar, with Katty to be married off to the chief minister – in this case Arjun. A typical case where the female is sacrificed for the “greater good”. Nana Patekar, with his great move, brings Ranbir’s girl friend, Sarah Thompson Kane, to India. The move was to bring Katty closer to Arjun. A wide hunt is made to identify the murderer by Ranbir, and this leads to some more murders. Somewhere along the line, Katty falls in love with Arjun, realizing that Arjun is  a better man than Ranbir. However, the murders are still not over, and to bring things back to war front, a bomb is blasted which kills Sarah and Arjun. Again, with the question of who the leader would be for the new party, a new move is made and Arjun’s widow – Katty is brought into picture as the new leader and future chief minister on success of the elections. Nana Patekar who goes to avenge the death of Arjun at Ajay’s house, reaizes that Ajay is his nephew, and informs Bharti of the same. Bharti in turn tries to get him to join the party with Ranbir and forget Manoj Bajpai and the rivalry between the two parties. However, Ajay refuses to leave Manoj’s party. While the poll counting is ongoing, Manoj is called at a secluded place on a false pretence and Ajay follows him. Ranbir avenges the deaths of his father, brother and girlfriend by killing Manoj and Ajay. Katty wins the elections and is elected the chief minister. Ranbir flies off again to complete his PHD.

The movie as you see had a good plot, but look at it closely and you would find that it was a mixture of too many things. Scenes from Sarkar with car being blasted off killing Ranbir’s pregnant girl friend, Mahabharat with Ranbir as “Arjun”, Nana Patekar as “Krishna”, Ajay as “Karna”- Ranbir does not want to kill Ajay since he has no weapons but Nana Patekar tells him to complete the job and avenge the death.  Also, I am not sure whether the script writer forgot about Naseruddin Shah completely, what was his role in the movie apart from fathering Ajay. And the dialogues are the best – who has heard these dialogues these days – Nana Patekar tells Bharti about Ajay – “wo tumhara pehla jana hain” and Bharti tells Ajay that he is her son – “tum mere jeshta putra ho”. They are hilarious and do not fit in the movie at all. There are however some dialogues that are very catching – “karara jawab milega” being one among them.

 The acting is good, but you cant say that for all actors – of course Nana Patekar is always brilliant, Ranbir has done a good role as mature actor, Katty still cant get her hindi correct, Arjun needs a course in acting school and Manoj Bajpai is definitely good.

Overall, the movie is worth a once watch. Watch the official movie trailer at youtube

Venice Beach : LA

Taken at Venice Beach, Los Angeles, CA

Chakum chukum - Calcutta on roll

Today we discovered a new eatery in Indiranagar. I am not sure how many of you actually know about the place, looks pretty new to me. We had gone to buy some bread from "Daily Bread" on 7th main,Indiranagar, when we noticed this small little place just next to Daily bread.

The place is called "Chaakum Chukum", I know its a very funny name, but one that you are not likely to forget. The place sells rolls - veg as well as non-veg. Based on your liking, you can ask for spicy or non-spicy food. We have tried - Egg roll and mutton shaami roll. Both of them were very delicious.

Address of the place: 901/2, 7th main road, 4th cross, HAL 2nd stage, Indiranagar
They also provide home delivery around Indiranagar, with a minimum order of 150-200. The home delivery number is 080-42115536.
The only drawback being, there is no place to sit and have your rolls. but, if you dont mind standing besides your bike or car, and munching into the roll, then this is the place.



To all the roll lovers, theres a place besides Katti roll, and this is also worth a try. You might love it and you would then be eating it in your own chakum chukum way.