Fly Indian, Feel Indian

Catching a red eye flight is one of the worst nightmares that come true within a couple of hours after waking up.
Vanitha and I were in the boarding hall of IC105 in Mumbai, when we struck a conversation with this old gentleman, who had a child like glint in his eyes. He was very happy as he had just retired and was gifted flight tickets by his son to visit them. As we boarded the flight the Chief Steward suddenly hugged our new friend. “Hey, nice to see you here, we just met twice after our school days, isn’t it!”.
I was busy reading the high voltage nonsense published in Mumbai mirror, when a tray surfaced right between my eyes and the paper – An action that suggested that candies were being offered to me. I felt a little threatened but I collected myself up and grabbed a couple of Minties.
I wonder what Indian’s strategy is, but I would like to remind them that stewards don’t have to pay for the tickets and therefore engaging senior citizens aboard doesn’t save them any costs. This is a stretgy that BCCI has adopted and by employing Chandu Borde as manager they only pay half price for his travel. I think Sachin will feel like a baby if he travels by Indian with Chandu Chacha.I guess the audience they are targeting are the middle aged travelers, who also get a chance to ogle, and not just be overwhelmed by barely 20’s skin show and toned physiques.
Also, I guess it is easier for these 40 plus uncles and aunties to wake up early and report to work, than their children.
Having said this, the next hour and a half was pure pleasure. There were these ‘60s and ‘70s songs that were playing in the background during take off and landing. The service was genuinely warm, and was not just a display of plastic smiles, an art that the younger fin flight crews have mastered.
Even while serving breakfast and coffee, there was this naturally courteous and warm “Sir/Madam”, though they were my Uncle’s age.
The pilot was a really seasoned one (may be his last flight before retirement ) as we did not even feel the jerk when the flight touched down, and a few passengers around us woke up only when the luggage compartments were being opened. I alighted from the flight feeling extremely satisfied, and thanked the steward with a warm smile.

Sivaji The Boss - Movie Review, Uthappam in a pizza box

A younger looking Rajini, a slimmer looking Nayantara, and a promising start with Balelaka really raises the hopes of the viewer by the fifteenth minute of the film.
This has been the year of sequels - Shrek 3, Pirates Of the Caribbean 3, Spiderman 3 and now it is Shankar's time to present his own Gentleman - 3.
A talented director can make movies on the same theme, but can't keep repeating movies with same screenplay and dialogues. There is no question of a dejavu when actually the film is filled with meticulous lifts from earlier movies, be it Shankar's, Rajini's ,hits like Gilli and even from unheard of movies like Aavaram Poo. Of course, Matrix will find a place in every Tamil blockbuster.
Having said this, this movie is a tribute to the sportiv champ called Rajini. He has to be commended for the way he imitates Vijay, Sivaji, MGR, Kamal, his funky hair style and costumes and above all giving sharing the screen with Vivek almost in every shot.
If you thought this review would carry the story, I will not play the spolier before the first weekend. Even if I want to, I can't since Shankar himself doesn't have anhything new to tell.
If Shankar had spent more time on the script than searching for the right crew, the product would have been much much better.
AR Rehman's background score for Suman and for Rajini at times are good but otherwise he has been lazy and keeps playing bits from the songs as BGM. Even SA Rajkumar wouldn't have overused his songs like this.
With great money spent on the sets for songs, which could make Software campuses look ordinary a little more thought could have been given to technical details. Some mid air dishoom sequences, have very poor morphing quality and one can see two of the Asian Paints 56 Blue shades.
The stunt choreography in the first half is pretty innovative. Vivek and Rajini get together for a fantastic display of timing and dialogue delivery. The best lines though are reserved for Suman. This villain really oozes class. Shankar would be thanking the stars that Mohanlal and Amitabh refused to sign up for this movie. What a comeback from the Black Belt!
This film has many records. After a dozen movies, Rajini goes behind the heroine big time and not the other way round. It is the first time that we get to see the secret behind Rajini's make up tricks.This is also the first time that I have seen a Rajini Movie first day first show, and also the first to leave the theatre. I did not wait till the climax as the entire experience was an anticlimax. The first half was summarised by my wife's long yawn, and the second half by the urge to get out of the theatre.
Overall Shankar Sir, " Neenga Comedy Geemadi onnum pannaliye"........

For heaven's sake

Dear Mahi,

A few years back when you set your foot on a cricket pitch against the Pakis in India and scored that incredible century and later went on to become the world's number one batsman, you were not just the best player but an answer to a billion people's prayer.You continued to enthral audiences with your Federer style stroke play on a cricket pitch and you had avergaes that could have been viewed as ordinary by Mike Hussey.With TVS Victor and Shampoos taking care of your financial needs and a Hummer to carry you around the town, Aapka Life tho ban hi gaya...But suddenly the harsh reality that international cricketers need to play both home and away matches caught up with you.
I thought only shcool kids get home sick, but I must say every inning you played in foreign soil felt like a message that you were sending across to the selectors that you wanted to get back home and drink two litres of milk every day.
And were you working in some corporate before you stormed into the international cricket scene. When a match can be won with a simple run a ball chase, you prefer to cork the pressure and show your heroics in a do or die situation (this scenario operates on home soil only). You would make any manager proud. What I really appreciate about you is the fact that you seem to be turning a blind eye to the danger engufling you. You have another wicket keeper batsman who is playing purely as a batsman in the same side, and all set to displace you from the Test squad.
Arise awake but score not unless you play in India is a philosphy that is worth a rethink.... Think about it.. if you can....
Regards,
A cricket fan whose time has frozen since the 1983 WC!