Deepawali ....

Yet another deepawali gone by, Goddess Lakshmi evading thy poor soul yet again.This was my first experience of Mumbai Deepawali (last year I went home);i was planning this year but some work related issues popped up.

Luckily one of my Juneez Bday was on Thursday so had a good time with some "Teachers" and this made me get up late(quite late) on D--- morning or say early noon;even then I was woken up my Mom calling up inquiring about my "well being". Being deepawali my maid had a taken the day off so after three four cups of average to good tea (depending on who made it me or my flatmate) and a equal or greater number of fags we decided that we should go out and eat .

so deepawali half gone with uncertainties and some more uncertainties.

In the evening went to see "saawariya" and joined the group of people who were fooled by the massive mktng campaigns for S & OSO. I like khamoshi & Devdas a lot so was expecting something out but it turned out to be tragedy of unbound proportions. The film is a simple love story spread over four nights ,set up in an unnamed and unidentified place and even more unidentifiable period . Sometimes you find it in he 18th sometimes in the recent span so this unidentifiable gap makes it even more painful. For me what appeals most in a love story is their

simplicity, your comfort in identifying with the protagonists and their emotions. But what you get here is opulent sets , more than half a dozen songs and too much melodrama, emotions taking a backstage. The sets appear in total contrast too much showy, too loud and garish to have a background for a love story. Though i am a complete novice in the arts section so not the correct person to judge but my 250 ticket + 50 popcorn+50 coke all appears to have gone down the drain. Some scenes like the one where both of them cross a pothole ridden "gully" makes you feel like run out of the theatre screaming at top of your voice.Rani Mukherjee and Johra Sehgal are the only saving grace.

OSO in comparison was much much better, though a remake of two three old bollywood movies but after Saawariya anything would have felt better even Jhalak Dikhla jaa. OSO is set up in two eras first the 70's where a Junior artiste is in love with the Superstar and then in the current period when he avenges his death. The plot is senseless but tickling, spoof of yesteryear stars like Rajani are good. king khan as usual as overacted but being SRK i think its allowed.The second half spcly the end scene is too long for comfort. Kiron kher and SRKs interactions are good and completely filmy.Shreyas is good in the first half but in the second part when is made to wear the kurta and the muffler at all times he looks silly, can't old people also wear normal clothing. Best part is again the end similar to main hoon naa where all people associated with the film are introduced in a true Farah khan style. Gauri Khan looks more like the female lead then the producer, so OSO a good timepass.

Saturday had another small party with my most dependable friend theOld Monk, its amazing how it never lets you down always beside you joy or sorrow.

On my reading front completed Snow and The Prometheus Deception this weekend. Snow is classic very slow initially but as you read it becomes excellent, if a philistine like me was able to comprehend this master piece then it itself speaks volume of the writer