Scraps Stuffs - Random musings from apun ka desh

Mr Chidambaram: go for gold

Surjit S Bhalla suggests a new tax policy that Chidambaram could implement: "An alternate proposal, but one in the same spirit as the KTF, and more in the spirit of PC 1997, is to be bolder towards the idea of catching mice. The proposal is to tax Rs 100,000 - Rs 400,000 at an 18 per cent rate, and > Rs 4 lakh at a 25 per cent rate."

Now that's a bold suggestion! Would be great if the FM could implement this. But I think its too bold for a Congress led coalation, which depends on the support of Left parties, to implement. Besides we have yet to see if Chidambaram retains the balls that he had in his earlier stint as FM.

Happened to read this article in today's print version of the Tabloid of India and wanted to comment on it. Found the online version of the article so I can.

LEADER ARTICLE
Patronising Secularism: Watching Dev Through Muslim Eyes - The Times of India

The beef with the film that the writer has is summed up in this paragraph

Dev is insidious. It takes one of the most brutal communal carnages in modern India, and seeks to resolve its dilemmas by resorting to stereotyped image-making about Muslims, distorting the events of Gujarat, and peddling a watered-down, patronising version of the secular principle. At best, it's another offensive film but one whose secularism will appeal to far too many people.

Why do stereotypes work? Its because they have an element of truth in them. You know that its a stereotype, but deep down you know that atleast some of it is true.

The events of Gujarat in 2002 were simply an action-reaction sequence. That's all.

Justification of the events, validity of the reaction, alleged state complicity in the massacre are things to ponder about.

For another review of Lakshya read the URL below

Watch Lakshya. You won't be disappointed

A second good movie from Farhan Akhtar in a row. I had great expectations from Lakshya and Farhan Akhtar did not disappoint too much. His first movie, Dil Chahta Hai, is the only movie I have seen in a theatre twice. I liked it so much. So I was eagerly awaiting this second movie.

First the not so nice parts:

1. Priety Zinta looks old. I was a little shocked to see this. She's put on some weight which isn't so bad. But this shows on her face which is.

2. Amitabh sleep walks through the film. One of his least memorable performances. His casting is also not authentic, IA colonels aren't so old. Literally, I couldn't feel the fire in Amitabh's belly.

3. Boman Irani is wasted in the role of Karan Shergill's (Hrithik Roshan) father. Not much scope for acting. He does a competent job but is not as outstanding as he was in Let's Talk and Munnabhai M.B.B.S.

4. The movie tended to drag a little bit in parts, though not in the war scenes.

Now for the praise:

1. The scenes in the IMA are very well shot. The campus itself is gorgeous and shown well. The bayonet charge practise, punishments and passing out parade are shown very nicely. The oath taking ceremony is also beautifully done.

2. Excellent cinematography. Ladakh is really breath-taking and its been shot very well, although the theatre I went to - Naga - had out of focus pictures and poor sound. They advertise Xenon projection and DTS, none of which is visible in this movie. Makes me wish I went to Rex instead (I didn't know it was also playing there). Maybe the second time :-)

3. The ambush scene while going towards the unexpected assault route was very nicely done. Looked very realistic.

4. The cliff climbing scene was nicely done too. Appeared pretty realistic though you could make out the special effects sometimes. But probably one of the best special effects work done in Bollywood.

5. The recee in force and other fight sequences were nicely done and appeared authentic, unlike other Indian war movies. Firing is done in short bursts and not in Rambo-like magazine emptying bursts.

In short, this is recommended and well worth watching again. If only I didn't have unrealistic sky-high expectations of this one, I would have enjoyed it more.

Finished reading the Cuckold the weekend before last. Its a very nicely written historical fiction set in the 16th century. Completely enjoyed reading it because it recreates brilliantly what life at that time could have been like. This is one book that I'm going to buy and read again and again. The characters have so much life in them, they are all delineated very well. A complete book in my opinion.

Rekha on Rekha

I watched this interview on TV last night and came away with a much better understanding of why Rekha is the way she is. Rekha conducts herself with such grace and dignity. And she seems like a nice person too. As nice as is possible for a person (who has undergone so much in life) to be. Hats off to her and I will be watching the next part of the interview with a lot of interest.