Sridevi, the iconic star you left us too soon

Sunday morning of 25^th Feb’18 was not a normal one, reason we got up to a shocking news, about the demise of Sridevi, bollywood's 1^st female superstar, fashionista, doting mother,diva are just few things to speak about her. Sridevi was an ocean of talent and elegance. We can rarely see such combination. Many actors of recent times idolize her for her eminent work and looked at her as an artist who can carry of any role with ease and poise. Such was the charm of Sridevi

She ruled Bollywood for over 2 decades before taking sabbatical from the industry to focus on her personal life. She was a complete family person, who has always prioritized her personal life more than professional. This is evident from the fact, that she was never alone in any her outing, her family was always with her. Sridevi’s family was picturesque and close knit comprising for her husband and daughters, her Instagram account speaks volume about it.

Despite such stature in society, she was very humble and down to earth person in real life. Once you meet Sridevi, you will never forget her, that was the charm of the legend. She was an actor only in front of camera but behind the camera she was one among us. That’s what made her special and unique.

Memories of her comeback movie “English Vinglish” are still fresh. After watching the movie nobody will say that, she was facing camera after a hiatus of 15 years, such was her screen presence and charm. The subject chosen by her, was so close to the heart of people that they were easily able to relate with the movie and made it a huge success at box office. Sridevi shouldered the entire movie on herself, risk usually eluded by stars especially in their comeback projects. This only tells us about her ability as in actor and her belief in the projects undertaken by her. She yearned for power packed performance in her projects. Her untimely demise is an irrevocable loss to the fraternity

When I read this news, my first reaction was, it’s a filthy joke. Such jokes are common these days, every other day we read about the demise of a celebrity and in some time that celebrity responds back stating it’s just a rumor. But that wasn’t the case with Sridevi, all news channels and papers carried this news, which forced me to believe, the story is true. Then WhatsApp messages too substantiated the stance.

The feeling is yet to sink in me that Sridevi is no more with us. This was not the case with me, it was the same with all the people I spoke about. Nobody was willing to accept the fact that Sridevi has left us. Initial reaction on hearing the news was “What”.  She has travelled to a different world too soon, leaving us in a state of shock and despair.

Am thinking if we as her fans are so devastated by her demise, what would be the case with her husband and daughters? Till date Sridevi was always around them, now when she’s not there, how will they cope up with the vacuum brought in to their life’s? Sridevi was too excited, as her daughter Jhanvi Kapoor was about to debut in film industry and was looking forward to Jhanvi’s performance in front of camera.

I just pray to god that her soul rests in peace and almighty gives her family the courage to bear with loss of Sridevi.

Padman- A husband’s undying quest for his wife’s menstrual hygiene

Biopics are an inspiration not only for the people involved in its making but also for the masses. As it portrays stories of individuals, who have achieved something substantial in their life by sheer determination and will power. I happen to watch one such biopic recently and it was Padman- A husband’s undying quest for his wife’s menstrual hygiene.

Journey of India’s Padman (Mr. Arunachalam Muruganantham) effortlessly portrayed by Akshay Kumar in the movie. What caught my attention was, when a man is ready to stand up for his wife? Why wasn’t his wife supporting him? As whatever he was doing it only for her not for him. Most men aren’t much aware about pads and its importance in a women’s life till they get married. 

Padman is the story about a man who was so engrossed in his wife’s menstrual hygiene that he couldn’t see or feel anything other than ensuring a hygienic solution for his wife, during her menstruation. All he wanted was that his wife should use pad instead of cloth, as pads was more hygienic and safe in comparison to clothes. Usage of clothes can lead to infection and death in some cases. His wife was reluctant to use pads as they were pretty expensive and clothes were economical.  It was this thought which forced an ordinary man to become the Padman, man who made economical pads.

But the agony is that Padman’s view point was never understood by anyone, first set of people to boycott his vision was his own family member, which was eventually joined by society. It went to the extent that he was ousted from his village with little or no means of survival. His wife, for whom he started the initiative, could have played an instrumental role in his enduring journey but too left him mid-way, making him lonelier.

These adverse situations weren’t strong enough to break the determination of Padman, who vowed not to turn back unless he has been successful in making budget friendly pad for the ladies of the county. He has foreseen each adversity as an opportunity to grow and learn. His failures did break him but not to the extent that it deters him from his mission. That’s Padman, kudos to him

Padman was successful in making budget friendly pads but he was unsuccessful in finding the right set of people who could visualize his vision and tell him that he has achieved his goal. Unless a woman (character played by Sonam Kapoor in the movie) comes to his village and uses Padman’s  pad and apprise him that his mission has been accomplished. She was so moved by Padman’s saga that she decided to help him. That was the turning point of his life.

His days of struggle and insult were replaced with honor and recognition. His invention was not only acknowledged in India but globally too, this was evident by the fact that he was invited as a speaker at United Nation. Padman has really travelled a long way from the lanes of his village to the roads in London. But these fame didn’t change him as an individual, he was the same old villager who wanted soothe his wife during her menstruation.

Many international companies approached Padman to buy his invention at astronomical prices but he rejected those offers, telling them that the purpose of his invention is to serve ladies of the country with low cost pads and not to earn capitalize his invention as done by multinational companies in past, which forced him to become Padman.

A pad that changed the life of Padman and ladies of the country

Will Foreign Nationals be recognized in India like Indians abroad?

Recognition is marked as a token of appreciation towards ones work in the area of their interest or professional accomplishment. It motivates people to enhance their work and reach the zenith of success to make oneself and others gratified. Recognition isn’t achieved easily, it’s the combination of hard work, dedication and devotion which one showcases towards their work.

Recognition is not bound by countries, one can be recognized in the country of their origin or in a foreign land. But when a person is recognized in a foreign country, their achievement is celebrated by 2 countries, one of their origin and other where they are currently.

I have seen people of Indian origin recognized globally for their achievement and India celebrating their success with grandeur. Such celebration are proud moments for all Indians, few such celebrated Indian are Sunita Willams, Kalpana Chawla,  Indrani Noori, Sundar Pichari, Satya Nadella and the list goes on… People of Indian origin have been active in the political too in foreign countries and have become ministers, governors or held prestigious position in foreign land. Their achievements have been torch bearer not only for people of Indian origin but for other foreign nationals too.

My question is when people of Indian origin are given so much respect and diligence for their work, why can’t we in India reciprocate a similar example for our counterparts oversees? We can also make a foreign national head of some Indian company or allow them to be active in Indian politics. What stopping India from giving an opportunity to foreign nationals to prove their metal here in India? Till date India has celebrated the achievement their offspring in foreign land now think India should give this privilege to other countries too.

Indian media tries to cover even the smallest achievement of people of Indian origin offshore. Today while going through the paper I came across a news that a person of Indian origin has been appointed speaker in their parliament. All details about that person (who was not even born in India), was covered in the article, proud moment for Indians globally but how are we going to return this favor? The only way to do so is to recognize foreign talent for their work in Indian soil.

Make foreign nationals feel they are part of India and their achievement do matters to us like any other Indians. Make them fall in love for India and recognize themselves as Indian not as foreigners. Indian settled in foreign land address themselves as a citizen of the land they reside in and not as Indian.

I know that it wouldn’t be easy but when we adopted so many good things from western culture and imbibed it into our culture, can’t we imbibe this too? I think we can, what we need is the right approach and our wholehearted acceptance towards it.

So now the big question is WHEN are we ready for this change?

Padmaavat's journey from shooting till release

Padmaavat (Padmaavati initially) movie was mired in controversy from the time, shooting for the movie began. Set was attached, cast and crew members of the movie were under constant threat from Karni sena activist, who were hell bend against the completion of the movie initially and later against its nationwide release.

But not only was the movie competed but was released too after lot of hiccups, this happened only because of the undying determination of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and the crew members of the movie. They were thick and thin with each other, faced controversies and criticism courageously from media, karni sena and the film fraternity to some extent. Deepika was the worst effected with life threat. But today their hard work and patience has been paid off with Padmaavat joining the 100cr brigade, that too with the movie being banned in few states. This is their true victory, as they had faith in themselves and the vision of Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

There was time when it was really cynical whether the movie will see light or not. It was during the month of December’17, when Padmaavat thronged the nation by capturing headlines in social media, internet, newspaper, Supreme Court and Central Board of Film Certification for all the wrong reasons, courtesy Karni Sena. Supreme Court and CBFC were under constant pressure to trash the movie into bin. But both Supreme Court and CBFC handled the situation meticulously which opened doors for the movie to be released nationwide.

After a month long enduring battle Padmaavat was released nationwide barring few states on the eve of republic day in January’18. Multiplexes and movie theaters were given police protection and at places, bouncers were hired for smooth screening of the movie. People were skeptical about taking the adventure of watching a movie at the stake of their life. But the support from multiplexes and movie theaters forced them to take the risk, it was worth taking. All negativity about Padmaavat had evaporated in air, as people’s verdict was out. Movie is a masterpiece of Art, well research, conceptualized and executed. Kudoos to the team

I too watched the most controversial movie of recent time Padmaavat, must say it was breath taking. Padmaavat is the perfect example of attention to detail magnificent sets, costumes, performances of the artists and the narration of the story were all in sync.

The movie didn’t show Queen Padmaavati in bad light rather warrior Khilji was the torch bearer of negativity and barbarism. Queen Padmaavati was a rare combination of beauty with brains. This was clearly portrayed in the movie. She fought for her honor and dignity. And her undying grit to never let Khiji succeed in his envious intentions, she lived and died with her husband whom she loved unconditionally. That’s it

Khiji despite winning the battle suffered the biggest loss of his life, a lesson well learned by him. Queen Padmaavati despite losing in the battle field, won the battle with ease and dignity.

Now I fail to understand why was all this all hue and cry about the movie “when Queen Padmaavati never met khilji face to face”? Despite Khilji’s best attempt to have a glimpse of Queen Padmaavati, he never succeeded in his mission. His desperation to see Queen Padmaavati, was never accomplished in his life time, then WHY were people against the movie? Initially that was the issue which later shifted to Jauhar.

I feel people raising concern should have pointed out one strong validable reason to express their anguish instead of shifting focus every now and then.