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.

Unplanned dinner with Jugal

Myself and Jugal have been trying to catch up with each other for quite some time now but we weren’t able to find time. Thanks to our busy schedule and my frequent travels. Weekends are hectic for us to spare time for anything else. Weekdays we can plan, provided we decide to take off from work. After pondering our thoughts on it a lot, we decided to catch up on a weekday. We will take off for that day.

All planned and set but just the day before we were supposed to meet, he called me late in the evening to inform that we have to cancel the plan. Jugal had an important client visit at work and his presence was mandatory. More than me Jugal was feeling bad but I said it happens. Things don’t go as planned usually. I told him, we will meet one day when both of us were expecting it the least. I didn’t know it will happen that way.

It was Friday afternoon when Jugal called me out of blue moon and inquired about my dinner plans. I said didn’t plan anything yet but its too early to commit. His immediate response was don’t plan anything, we are catching up for dinner today, I was like, WHAT? He told there’s a restaurant named “Hyderbadi Spice” close to his office, we can catch up there for dinner. He WhatsApped me the location, but there’s a twist here. Jugal is pure veg and I am non veg. How can I have veg food at an authentic non veg place was my dilemma? Jugal told if I want, I can have non veg, he has no issues. I said no, I will try veg food at non veg place for the first time.

We planned to catch up by 8.30 at the restaurant. When I was about to step out, it started raining heavily, I thought, today’s plan also went for a toss. I tried booking a cab but due to peak hour, cabs were not available and I have left my car at my friends place. Going to my friends place and getting the car was next to impossible, though its close by but I will get drenched in rain.  I have 2 options either to wait till the rain stops or cancel the plan. I chose the first option and decided to wait but informed Jugal about it. He was also bit upset but agreed to wait for some time. Luckily rain stopped in 15 mins and I heaved a sigh of relief.

Immediately took my bike and set off before it starts raining again. Google map was my charioteer in the journey but today even it got confused a bit. Reason there were 2 places with the same name and I landed at the wrong one. I called Jugal to inform that I reached and he said, am not where to be seen. Then when he inquired about the landmark, it was then I realized I am at the wrong place. I have no words to express my aggression at that moment of time.

Jugal told he shared the location with me, them how did this happen? It was my fault I searched the place in google map and followed it instead of his shared location. Sometimes smartness can land you in mess, today I was feeling it. But now I was determined, come whatever I will meet him for sure. Then I started following the location shared by Jugal, my destination was 3 km away.

After lot of twist and turn I reached my destination, I parked my bike. Called Jugal to tell I reached. He came out of the restaurant, his happiness was clearly evident on his face. First thing he said when we met was “Finally”. True, after whole lot of struggles we were catch up today, finally. We hugged each other as long lost buddies and went inside the restaurant. The aroma of chicken and mutton biriyani was so strong that I had to change my mind. I told Jugal l dude, sorry but I want chicken biriyani no veg for me. Jugal smiled and ordered accordingly. He knew I will change my mind after coming to the place, so he was not amused a bit, rather he wanted me to try biriyani but didn’t tell.

Biriyani was yummy, if I had ordered veg, would have regretted for it. Jugal asked me how’s the food? I said awesome, saw a sense of pride in his eyes then. He was happy to find a decent place where one could get yummy food. His choice of the place was not wrong. From the moment food was ordered till it was finished, we were engrossed in talking. Both of us had lot of things to be discussed in person. We used it to the fullest.

By the time we were done with our dinner it was almost an hour, Jugal had taken only an hours permission from his work for dinner. Bill was cleared and we left the place. Before leaving home I asked Jugal one question, how was the experience of unplanned meeting? Jugal instant response was awesome. Really it will be a memorable dinner for both if us, as we wouldn’t have struggled so much to catch up with our friends before. That day it was hectic but today when I think about it can’t stop laughing about the entire experience, it was crazy.  

Unforgettable shopping at DMart

I am an avid shopper, shopping gives me relaxation. You leave me in a shopping mall in morning, till evening I can be there without any issues. I need food, water and washroom to survive there for that long. Best part about shopping malls or big retail stores it that, you get everything at one place and you get to learn a lot. Shopping and learning doesn’t rhyme well? Yes, shopping can be a learning experience, because shopping malls and big retail stores are the only places, where one can see all the latest launches in reality. All products advertised in TV, can be seen first in malls, then in a shop near you. Shopping malls gives us the liberty to double check the products we intent to buy, reason we are selecting the products ourselves. I have the habit of checking the expiry date, ingredients of the product I buy. Even check competitors’ products of the same range, which takes my time.

Now a days my shopping partner is Harish, we go together for shopping as it is convenient for both of us and we have each other’s company too. But what happened today at DMart, we will never forget, and it was a learning experience for both of us, day full of adventures with twist and turn. We left home by 11.am and 5 minutes before DMart Harish tells me, he forgot to carry his wallet. I told no worries “ you can use my card” What are friends for, to help your friend in need. Before going for shopping I check  cards twice.

We reached DMart by 11.30am, there was huge rush, firstly because of weekend, then due to Onam festival. Car parking was full, then we saw a car moving out, Harish got out of the car and helped me park the car there, before anyone occupies that slot. Harish told he will get 2 trolleys for us, as inside DMart it was not available due to heavy rush. While Harish was busy arranging the trolleys, I got all our shopping bags sealed at the security counter. In total 4 bags, so I kept all 3 bags in one and got it locked. In the mean while Harish arranged for the trolleys. We got inside and got busy with our purchases. DMart is divided into 3 floors, after doing purchases from the ground floor, we left for 2^nd and 3^rd floors.

We left our trolleys on ground floor like others did, Harish had done massive purchases and mine was less comparatively. We spend around an hour in 2^nd and 3^rd floor as it had clothes section, where we spend maximum time, checking out clothes. After an hour when we came to ground floor, we had a shock waiting for us. My trolley was missing, we searched everywhere but couldn’t find it. Then Harish saw few of my purchases spread on top of ice cream freezer, we were thunderstruck. Only thought which came to our mind was, how can people be so uncultured here? Usually we have decent crowd here. Seems like decency was only in their attire and not in their behavior, this act was the perfect example of it. More than my purchases, we were worried about the shopping bags. How will we carry the purchases home? It’s not that we can’t buy shopping bags at DMart but we wanted our bags as they were bigger bags than the one store was offering us.

Harish asked me check all the trolleys to locate our shopping bags, I was sure we will not find it but Harish was confident about finding it. Harish started looking for our lost shopping bags, in the mean while I took one basket to transfer my purchases from the ice cream freezer to it and bought the remaining things.

Then it striked me about the CCTV cameras in the store, I went to the support desk and asked if they can show me the CCTV clippings of the area where my trolley was kept. Help desk guy told me that they don’t have a camera installed at that particular angle first thing and second thing, they have a put a notice on the wall, not to leave trolleys there. This was not the first time I was leaving the trolley there, I keep it there every time I visit the store, but today the store guy showed me the notice, which I ignored or was not noticed by me before. Whatever, help-desk was of no use to me.

I finished my billing and was waiting for Harish to come, even then I was looking at people’s trolley making an exit from the billing counter. Since it was raining heavily, people are standing in the mall itself after being billed. I just turned around and saw a lady holding some shopping bags in her hand, it seemed similar to me. A closer look, god its mine, I told her you are having my shopping bag, where did you find it? Did you take my trolley? Firstly she apologized for keeping the bag with her and then she told me that, this bag there in an empty trolley which she took. And accidentally she took that bag because her bag and my bag were similar in looks. It’s difficult to believe her story though but I was happy to get my bags. Informed Harish also, who was nearing the billing counter. People are right when they say, “people make mistakes while committing crime”. This lady’s husband emptied the trolley to accommodate his things but didn’t recognize the shopping bag, which eventually was picked by his wife and helped me in getting my bags back.

After billing when we came out by 3pm another surprise was waiting for us. Harish took the car keys and went ahead I followed him back. I told him to meet me at one point but when he didn’t turn up. I went looking for him, our car was missing. Harish asked me where I parked the car. I showed him the place. It was then I noticed that the place, where car was parked was actually a no parking zone. Initially I was scared that the car was stolen but when I saw that board, it didn’t take us long to know where our car would be. We booked a cab but due to heavily rain or traffic it was getting delayed, in the mean while Harish was able to arrange an auto and we went to police station with all those shopping bags.

When I didn’t see the car there, I panicked a bit. Then decided to go inside the police station and check, one constable came out and told me that traffic police station is slightly ahead. We went there, still we were not able to see the car and then Harish noticed few people standing at a place. He told me let’s go there and check, he was right, car was there. I can’t tell you, how happy I was, when I saw the car. It was clamped, we asked one person who was standing there from the traffic department to allow us to keep our shopping bags in the car. He allowed us to keep our bags in the car. That guy told us, that we need to pay fine for parking the car in NO Parking ZONE. We inquired about the fine amount. I googled it to cross check, he was right. We asked him where to make the payment, he told us to wait for some time. Harish gets a call from the cab driver, inquiringly where you are sir. In the eagerness to reach police station he didn’t cancel the cab booking, when we got inside the auto.

After 15 mins, an officer came, he collected the fine amount and issued us the receipt. Clamp was removed, we got inside the car and left for home. When we reached home, time was 5 pm. We were very tired after all these unexpected adventures, we experienced today during our weekly grocery shopping.

I think myself and Harish will always remember this shopping experience. Once at room I was thinking, if Harish was not accompanying me today, then it would have been tough day for me to handle everything all alone. It’s better to have a shopping partner, you never know when things go upside down.

Friendship bands a treasure

I read it somewhere that “Friendship is the only ship that doesn’t sink even in the worst storms” and that’s true. It’s the only relation, which we choose for ourselves, unlike our family which we get automatically upon our birth. If we have the support of our friends then we can overcome any hardships in life like a cakewalk. Friends stand by us even when the whole world is against us. That’s the bonding of friendship.

We have a special day to celebrate this beautiful relationship with our friends on friendship day.  But with the extreme use of online media now, friendship day is confined to sending messages to our friends through Whatsapp or posting a quote on our facebook page. Despite the availability of friendship bands at stores, people prefer to stay away from it, seems like its craze is now diminishing now (my personal view). Another reason could be, our busy schedule where we hardly have time for ourselves then how can we reach out to our friends with a friendship band to celebrate the occasion? Friendship doesn’t need a band to prove you are friends with someone but it feels good when a friend put a band in your hand on this day.

This friendship day was very unique for me, after many years Harish, my friend put a friendship band in my hand. Last I had worn friendship band, was during my college days, when Ashutosh gave me one on friendship day. I had seen that band at a shop and wished someone could gift it to me. So when Ashutosh gifted me that band, I was quite surprised. My first question was, which shop did you buy it? His answer stunned me, he bought it from the same shop, where I had seen it. When I told him about this band and how I wished to have it, he was quite amused and proud of his selection. Today we stay in different cities, have not met for quite some years now, even phone calls are at very long intervals but that hasn’t affected our bonding a bit, proud to have him as my friend J.

I don’t know how Harish became my friend. The first time we met I didn’t feel, am meeting him for the first time. We were like house on fire as we had lot of things in common. Most amazing part is we stay close to each other, that gives us an opportunity to catch up whenever we are free.

This friendship day, using technology at its best, I sent Whatsapp message to all my friends, that was the beginning of the day for me. After that I went to meet Harish, as it was his son’s birthday. Once at his place, when we were looking after the arrangements, felt the need to buy few things. We went to a nearby shop and were busy buying stuffs for birthday celebration. When out of a blue moon Harish took a friendship band and put it in my hand wishing Happy Friendship Day. I was thunder stuck for some time because after very long time something like this was happening to me.

Harish’s gesture touched me within and was guilty too, why this thought didn’t come to me? It’s never too late to celebrate an occasion, I too took a band, ditto same to same put it in his hand and wished him, one more time but with a band now, unlike the morning message. This wish was the best one.

At night while going to bed, I realized that band was neon, we can see it at night, once lights are turned off. Took my phone and Whatsapped him , immediately got the reply from him in the form of a smiley J. Next day I removed the band, to keep it as a treasure with Ashutosh’s band.