Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Snakes in the backyard


Not long ago, there lived two neighbors. They were just like any other neighborhood families. Sharing sweets and food on multiple occasions, borrowing salt and sugar in crisis, helping each families in emergencies and sharing a laughter once in a while. One day their world came to seize when the county decided to separate the two houses into two neighboring cities. Left with no choice, the two neighbors fell into two separate cities. Though their zip codes and city names are different, nothing seems to have changed. The neighbors continued their routine just like before. 

After few years, the cities started developing in different paces. While City X -where neighbor X lived, developed in a fast pace, City Y- where neighbor Y lived, slowed down due to various political reasons. The kids of neighbor X started going to good schools and enjoy the privileges. The kids of neighbor Y are still struggling. 

After seeing this for many years, instead of going and reporting to the city head regarding slow growth of their city and how kids are at disadvantage, the Neighbor Y came up with a different plan. He thought teaching a hard lesson to Neighbor X and destroy his world. 

As part of the plan, Neighbor Y thought of breeding some snakes in his backyard, with help of which he can poison and kill Neighbor X. But if he buys snakes or bring them home, everybody will suspect him. Hence he came up with a slow but steady plan. He started throwing sweets in his backyard. As result of which, ants started piling up in his backyard. With more and more sweets, there came a big anthill. 

His wife warned him about the growing anthill. But, Neighbor Y ignored the idea and started feeding the ants. The anthill grew so big that small snakes overtook it. The neighbor was very happy. One day, he wanted to test his snakes. He held one snake by tail and tried to throw it in Neighbor X's backyard. The snake tried to hiss. But since it was small, Neighbor Y, could overpower it and threw it in the Neighbor X's backyard successfully. The Neighbor X spotted the snake and alerted the neighbors and city officials. The city officials thoroughly checked the house and decided that snake should have come from outside and there is noway, they can determine the source of the snake. 

After repeated sightings of the snake, the neighbor X suspected that it could be from the anthill next door. The city officials said, they have no permission to check the neighbor's house as it doesn't come under their zip code. Left with no option, neighbor X started living in fear. 

Neighbor Y is now happy, that his efforts have not gone wasted. He started feeding the snakes and watched them grow bigger and bigger. 

One day, while Neighbor Y's kids were playing in the backyard, a large snake came out of anthill. The kids screamed in fear. The Neighbor Y ran and rescued his kids by shooing away the snake with a large stick. This sent shivers in his spine. What he thought would harm others, is now taking on him. 

Neighbor Y called the city authorities and asked them take down the anthill. The city people tried but in vain. They said it was too late to take it down and he better construct a fence and be alert. Everyday, the Neighbor Y lived in fear- for, he raised those dangerous snakes in his backyard thinking of harming Neighbor X, but now they are a threat to him first. 

One day, while neighbor Y was out on work, his kids were playing in the backyard. The big- large and finely fed snake came out of nowhere in search of food and bit the kids. The kids lost their lives on spot. It was too late for neighbor Y. It was too late for him to take back all his actions. It was too late for him to even save his kids. It was just too late for everything in his life. In a moment, all his world cringed and sunk into oblivion. But the snake is still living the anthill waiting for its next prey. 

PS- This is a lesson for all of us. 'The neighbor and the snake in the backyard' analogy can be applied to anything and anyone. Ranging from individuals and their egos to nations and hatred! The choice is yours. The blanks are open. 

Thursday, October 09, 2014

Two worlds and a Veggie Sandwich



My husband walked out of the door and I shut it behind him. I locked it so, no one could make ones way into the house. I looked at the empty walls and clean floor. I saw nothing but my luggage scattered around the house. I washed my face and made a coffee for myself. I sat on the floor and looked through the patio window. I saw no one on the roads. All I could hear was the ticking of the clock and the noise of roaring heater. Tears found their way out and memories started smothering me.

Just a few months ago, I looked at mirror and saw that beautiful face with glow.  “Are you ready?” asked my mom whom my dad and sister accompanied. Yes. I replied to all and most importantly to myself. I am ready. Ready for marriage. Ready for a life ahead with a man whom I know for less than few months. Ready for a life in a different country. Ready for everything that is going to happen from now on. I opened the door and walked into the wedding hall.

“Surprise” shouted my friends who worked their way to get into my house and decorate it for my birthday  three  years ago. I had many such pleasant birthdays and was earning enough to throw small size parties once in a while. I had  friends who would never forget to surprise me on my birthdays and get me tickets for the movies and more importantly bear my PMS tantrums. My paychecks were not fat, but neither were they  anorexic. They had perfect BMI to pay my bills and buy me Oh-I-love-this-dress. My weekends were packed with trips to near by tourist spots and lunches and dinners and parties in India. I was always on the move with my tiny little two-wheeler that accompanied me everywhere I went. I was always surrounded by people and could listen to the whistling of rice cookers even at 11 pm.

But, now, I am all by myself. I can’t go out because it  is cold outside. Cold that I experienced only when I opened refrigerators. Where am I now? What I am supposed to do? Do I need this forced break from my hectic schedules? Can I go out on my own? Do I have money to fulfill my sweet nothings? Where are my friends?

I am in the USA, which is a dream for many youngsters. A free nation that lets everyone live the way they wish to. But do I really need this unwanted freedom? Am I blessed or cursed? My VISA status doesn’t allow me  to work. I am sadly called as a “dependent” and that is what my Visa says. Yes, for someone who comes as a spouse to someone with working visa is called as dependent. And that is what I am right now.

When my parents were looking for a groom for me, I was hell bent on not getting married to someone who lives out of my city. No. Never. I have everything I want. So, why will I leave all and move? Never-ever. But here I am in the United States of America.

It all happened when I met this guy. Got swept off my feet. Parents liked us. Wedding date fixed. Got married. Boom. In a whirlwind of actions that happened in less than a month, I am in the other part of the world. My husband left for US before me as he couldn’t take leave from his work for longer period. I was by myself to travel into a country just to be with a stranger whom I just got married to.

As I came out of the airport, my husband received me with a bunch of flowers and gave me coat, hat, gloves and asked me to cover up completely. As we started heading back to home, I asked my husband, why I don’t see any people on the roads.
It is very common in India to see people crossing roads everywhere. Chances are, you might even hit a man or a vehicle once a week. They move so close that you can literally shake hands while driving. Stray dogs, cattle, vendors, people fighting over petty things, people honking impatiently, two-wheeler riders wheeling their way from the gaps are the most common sights that one can witness on the roads.

But what am I seeing here? Nothing. No people, no cattle, no honks, no noise. Everything is silent and calm. My husband laughed and told me, that no one walks here on the roads. Really? It came as a shocker to me. The very first shock I got was that I couldn’t see people. That means, I need to make friends or go out to meet people. Or may be live in virtual world.

In real world, I heard many of my friends saying that they are jealous of my routine. My usual routine goes something like this. Wake up in the morning whenever I want. Make coffee. Have breakfast without hunger. Browse through movies to catch up with the ones I missed. Chat with friends online and silently cry. Call family and give them live coverage about the weather, movies, and menu and just about everything. Eat lunch just to not feel hungry. Wait for husband to come so that I can see some real faces in my life. Prepare dinner just because I have to. Eat dinner to increase my bloating. Watch movies again and again and again. And Go to bed just to wake up the next day aimlessly.

“When are you going to have kids? You are free now. You should have kids and use this time”, came an elderly suggestion from families and friends. Why do they think that I should procreate in the free time? I am free because I don’t have a choice. Not because I chose to.

“Go to the mall and spend time. Do some shopping”, suggested many of my friends who think they hardly get time to shop, as they are busy with work. Why should I shop? When should I wear those clothes? How will I go there? Whose money will I spend? There are many unanswered questions.

 “I get so frustrated,” says a friend, who also moved to the USA after getting married. “I can’t work. But this is how it is going to be”, she grins. My friend is one of the thousands of brides, who immigrate to this country after getting married.

I came to senses. I love this man. But do I really love my life? The answer is yes and no. I love being a married woman. I love being the wife of my husband. But I hate the very thought that I cannot work and earn my own bread. 

“Would you like to try chicken sandwich along with bread bowl and soup?” asked the waitress. “No thanks, I am a vegetarian”, I replied. “Oh honey. You don’t have much choice”, she said with empathy.
                                                      

Yes, I don’t have much choice. I am a just a veggie sandwich stuck for life between two worlds. 

Monday, September 22, 2014

What is your caste?


Shame on you if you are able to read this blog using Internet and then utilise your caste to get a seat or a job. Wait, what's the connection between them? Does reading a blog or using Internet or caste based reservations have any connections? I think so. And this is how I make sense. 

Castes have been in existence for centuries in India. They are called Varnas. According to Hinduism, "Varna is the term for the four broad ranks into which traditional Hindu society is divided. The four varnas are:
  • the Brahmins: priests, teachers and preachers.
  • the Kshatriyas: kings, governors, warriors and soldiers.
  • the Vaishyas: cattle herders, agriculturists, businessmen, artisans[1] and merchants.[2]
  • the Shudras: labourers and service providers."  (source- wikipedia)
Hang in there. What do we see here? Professions? Occupations? Services that each individual provides? Then, if we are following our castes, shouldn't we technically be providing those services. Like any Brahmin born across India should be in temples, or schools or just dedicate one's life to god.
A Kshatriya should ideally be politician or a soldier working in Army.
A vaishya should be maintaining a cattle herd, or ploughing the soil, raising crops or managing retails.
a Shudra should be a laborer or totally into providing services to the society.

But we don't follow any of those norms now. What I see is, a Brahmin provides IT service or works in a factory as labor. A Kshatriya manages a hotel or a mall. A Vaishya builds a temple or teaches in a school. A Shudra is a top doctor or a research scientist. Then shouldn't we segregate our castes based on current professions like
1) IT
2) Doctor
3) Scientist
4) whatever!
(Define caste of each person here!)
Why do we still follow that age old casteism and break ourselves into tiny bits? Why do we favor people who are born into castes but have no link to us whatsoever? Why do people need caste based reservations even though they are no more into providing services to the society?

Frankly, caste based reservations were introduced in India to benefit the economically poor citizens. Those days are gone. If at all we need any kind of reservation, they should be totally based on financial status of a family. Not based on caste. 

As long as the caste system exists, we can move only in bits and pieces. Its high time, we shun the caste based opportunities in India and move as one Nation. Religion, caste, community are for unity. Not for divisions. 

If at all, one really wants to approach a caste, create a new one based on one's own occupation. Like I belong to housewife caste where I teach, I provide services through my voluntary work, I rule my home and what not.

And if you can't come out of it yet, GOD BLESS YOU! People are launching rockets and trying to see what's in Mars. And we are stuck with castes. 

Jai Hind. 

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Men have cleavage?


The recent lash out by Deepika Padukone (DP) about the much hyped cleavage show has risen many eyebrows. Indeed, DP is right. She and I and for that matter, every woman has breasts. If there are breasts, there is cleavage. What is such a big thing about DP's cleavage? It is just part of a body. Like holes in the nose (nostrils), ears, division between fingers and opening of mouth. What is so special about cleavage? Here it is. 

According to dictionary.com, Cleavage is -"the area between a woman's breasts, especially when revealed by alow-cut neckline". 
Now there it is. REVEAL. So, apparently, when women wear dresses that have low cut lines, cleavage is "shown". But wait there, some men do have their ways to find it. Like when women bend. Like when men are standing right next to women who are seated. When women are breast feeding. When....well, there are many circumstances, when cleavage is shown or seen. But why women are not interested in seeing men's cleavage. 

Hang in there. Do men have cleavage at all? Let's see. 
According to the same dictionary.com website, cleavage is also referred to as, "a critical division in opinion, beliefs, interests, etc., as leading to opposition between two groups"

So, I can see a clear cleavage in politicians, movie stars, normal citizens and for that matter any man whose opinion, beliefs and interests differ from that of other man. So, it is evident that cleavage is something that is in our mind. Not, merely a physical body part. 

Now, let us move on to the media house, that published the story. 

What a waste of journalism. Times of India definitely needs a revamp. Of all the worldly things, TOI found a new invention in the world. A woman's cleavage! Now, I wonder, if the reporters who worked on this story and editors and publishers have any cleavage? If not, that means, they are all together in publishing this article. If yes, then whats news in this. They have cleavage too. 

Hence, DP, and other women out there, if in future, someone drools at your cleavage, you drool at the person. For, he has a cleavage that is too visible unlike ours, which has to be shown or seen. 

I am proud of my cleavage. Hey man, are you?

Sunday, September 07, 2014

Plagiarism or coincidence?

Now, as bloggers, we maintain ethical codes. We write orignial posts or give credits. At least in my case, I give credits to even google images. But to my astonishment, today I found this piece of write up in a telugu Daily called, "Namaste Telangana' published this morning (Sep 8, 2014). The article bears a striking resemblance to one of my posts published on Sep 5, 2014. But the writer claims it to be a coincidence. Now, what are the odds of coincidence? 

The telugu version of what looks like my blog. A match of word to word. 


The FB profile of the journalist who published the article. 


I am stunned. But, before I reach to any conclusion, I would rather evaluate all the options. After all, we are not here to judge. And that is not my ethical code! 




Friday, September 05, 2014

A letter to Shweta Basu

Dear Shweta Basu

I am not your fan. Neither do I watch all your movies. But,  I did admire your acting skills when you were a child. You overshadowed the leads in Makhdee and Iqbal. So, I totally followed your news and wondered what it would be like when you grow up. And just like my imagination, you grew up into a lead actress within no time. When I saw you in a Telugu movie, I wasn't surprised at all. Like many other heroines in Indian cinema, you did get a buffer from Telugu cinema. But, when your roles started diminishing, I thought you are nothing but a flash.

I never followed you again. But to my surprise, you continued to be in the news for various reasons. Let it be your secret video or your photography exhibition or your recent bust in prostitution. I am sorry that, at such tender age, you are going through many things. But I wonder what will happen to you next? May be, you will just become invisible or emerge as a very strong person. But see, our society is very judgemental. 

The sad part of our society is, they accept heroes who kill people. They accept heroes who can shoot people. They accept heroes who beat women on the sets, who beat people on the roads, who destroy the life of others, who carry dangerous weapons, who have loads of black money and are openly into blackmailing, who sleep with 100 different women, who practice adultery publicly and what not. Those men continue to steal the limelight as 'heroes' and get hailed.

But you are a woman. The mistake that you did is, to take money while giving sexual favors. As you claimed, there must be many other heroines who provide sexual favors to all kinds of men in the industry. But the difference between them and you is, they do it in exchange for roles and fame. You did it for money. Hence, you are judged as a prostitute and they sweep away the roles. 

I wonder what made you to accept publicly that you did make some wrong choices. Because, women at your age, would never dare to accept anything publicly and swiftly shift the blame on to others. My hats off to you. Now, I wonder what will happen to you next. I feel, you should emerge as a strong woman, as you do have streaks of being gutsy. If people can kill and still emerge as being human, then why not you? 

You just sold your flesh for money. You can do wonders. Go girl! There is a world outside where you can make money in tons of ways. Selling your flesh is the last resort for a talented person like you. 

Best of luck

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Actors/Actresses wanted.

We are a movie production company. 
We are looking for actors and actresses. 
Please see the conditions and advantages sections and 
do send us your resume.  


Actors

1) Do you have a relative working in movie field?

If yes, please refer section I
If no, please refer section II

Section I- If you have replied yes to relatives working in movie field.

A) Do you have your immediate family (Father, brother, Uncle, Grandfather) as main lead in the movie field?
If yes, please refer to pros section.
If no, please refer to cons section.

Pros- If you have replied yes to immediate family as main leads.

a) You do not have to have any appealing features. If you look like a cross breed of two extinguished species, you will be hailed as number 1.
b) You do not have to be tall or well built. Just a minimum height of 4ft is required. 
c) You will be hailed as super hero if you are married twice! If your first spouse belongs to the same language/region you will be cheered. If your second spouse is from different region or speaks another language, you will be hailed as super hero. if your third spouse is international, you will get a suffix "ism". But you will be expected to be in search of alien. Risk is yours. 
d) You can do couple of bollywood movies. But if you are thrown back to the industry you belong to, you don't have to worry. you will have your hay to support you.
e) You can get a special privilege to enter politics. 
f) You can instantly become rich by doing real estate/hospitality management.
g) Having bent index fingers, strong thighs, long hair, Casanova personality is a plus.
i) The more plastic in your body, the more chances of being number 1. 

Cons- If you have replied no to immediate family as main leads.

a) You will remain as a comedy hero.
b) You will get to do small/low budget movies.
c) You will become villain eventually.
d) You might have to leave industry pretty soon.


Section II- If you have replied no to any relative in movie field.

a) You will end up doing small roles irrespective of your good looks and acting skills.
b) You are not allowed to date/get engaged to any one in the movie field.
c) You might end up with hit movies that will never get to be released anywhere.
d) You might take years to struggle.
e) You might develop suicidal tendencies and undergo lot of psychological/neurological pressure.
f) You might eventually shift/change your field. So, please have your educational certificates ready just in case.
g) You are at your own risk.


Actresses

1) Do you have a relative working in movie field?

If yes, please refer section I
If no, please refer section II

Section I- If you have replied yes to relatives working in movie field.

a) You are never expected to act unless you are in bollywood.
b) You need to have NRI accent.
c) You can approach TV channels.


Section II- If you have replied no to any relative in movie field. 

a) If you speak the native language you want to act in, then please remember, we don't need you.
b) You need to be able to shed as many clothes as you can without inhibition.
c) You will get to act with all major actors before you retire.
d) You should be able to know how to operate "scissors" as you are expected to open/cut ribbons of malls/stores in the future.
e) No special acting skills required.
f) If you act or show talent, you will be demoted to character artist level.
g) You can be below 13 years of age to apply for actress post. But not older than 24 years. 
h) Remember, that you are not allowed to go to bollywood. If you, then you are no more welcomed back. You are at your own risk.



If you fall in any of the above mentioned categories and want to be an actor- 
Apply at your own risk.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Frankly speaking about Rahul Gandhi


Frankly speaking, I did not understand why this interview took so long to happen. Rahul Gandhi (RG) is one of his kind. He is a master piece which was never seen and will never be seen. You see, I am a fan of RG in many ways. I will explain why-

1) He is a youth icon
At the age of 43, he is a still charming and is called a youth icon. While women who are 40+ are considered old enough, RG still proves that men, especially when in power, no matter how old, can be referred to as youth. Since 35, RG froze in time and will be a youth icon for another 10+ years. 

2) Excellent speaker
RG is very excellent in choosing words. His vocab is superb and he uses less words to express more. He talked about empowering women, changing system, bringing RTI and nothing else. He proved that there is no need to speak about something for hours to give wisdom. If you stress a word for 10-50 times, they will register in people's mind. He reminded me of President George Bush in this interview

3) He belongs to "this country"
We all talk as if we own India. When we give interviews, we say our nation, our country, Hindustan or India. But RG understood that India is not an individual's kingdom (kisi baap ka raaj nahi). He saw India as an outsider. You see, when we get out of something and watch it from distance, we will know what's wrong in it. That is exactly what RG did. In his speech, he was evident that he never owned our nation (see I am again saying "our nation"...huh). He addressed India as "this country"-Empower women in "this country". Change the system of "this country". He proved that only (as) an outsider can see "this country" clearly.

4) He knows who are innocent
RG made specific that the Gujarat riots killed innocent people. He stressed that the Gujarat riots' victims are innocent and the government of Gujarat is responsible. But doesn't say who were killed in 1984 riots and but says the then government, with Rajiv Gandhi as PM, tried its level best to stop the riots. He stood by what his father said. Well this is what his father had to say- Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister after his mother's death and, when asked about the riots, said "when a big tree falls, the earth shakes". See the details here

5) He redefined poverty
RG does not believe in poverty. He believes every one is equal. He redefined poverty by saying "It is just a state of mind". Read here. He is so true. Why UNDP has not come up with such a definition till date? Why there are poor nations? Why there are poor people? Why people die in poverty? Because its all just a state of mind. 

6) He knows what he is
RG knows himself. He knows what he is. He openly accepted that he is dangerous to the system. That is why people attack him. Now who will be so gutsy to accept that one is so dangerous to the whole system of a nation. Only a bravo like RG can! 

7) He loves his mother
Like his mother, RG is very international. I am sure he must have grown up reading God Father as it is close to his family. Well, I am just referring to the Italian bonding here. Like his mother, RG was pushed into politics without any experience. Like his mother, RG accepted a huge responsibility to run "this country". Like his mother, RG is expected to be the leader though he is unwilling. Like his mother,  he does everything because he wants to change the system of "this country". He loves his mother so much that I somehow located a painting in this interview, which resembles his mother. 

 (My interpretation of the painting - "Sonia assuring a poor woman that 
poverty is just a state of mind")




Now, I will no more prolong my blabbering about RG. Enough of my wind. I strongly condemn the interview by Arnab and I support RG. This interview is like asking someone about sambar recipe who always grew up eating 'frozen pizza'! Come on RG. We know what you know.  "You (are a) rock". 


Sunday, January 12, 2014

Maid in India

(Image from Google)

Maids are powerful in many ways. Especially Indian maids. See, Almost 100% of upper class households  and nearly 70% of middle class households depend on maids in India. As a child from a middle class- employed parents- busy family, I have always grown up having a maid. I saw how our family was 'mentally disturbed' without a maid even for a day. My mother would go berserk. When I was working, I had a maid in my apartment, who would clean dishes and wash clothes and also clean the house. If the maid doesn't turn up, the house is a mess. So, having maids was not luxury. It  was a need. When I moved to the US, things changed. In this country, having maids is a luxury. Only the upper class families can afford maids! Now I have seen in some families where maids come once a week or once in a fortnight. Its not like India where they would come everyday! 

So, Ms Devyani Khobragade (DK), when being transferred/sent to US as a diplomat, could not leave her maid behind. See, even in the big household in US, its very rare to have live-in maids. One will find live-in nannies. But live-in maids is a rare case! But Ms DK couldn't leave the habit behind, so she brought a maid (made in) from India. As usual, the maid must have felt ecstatic. A free air ticket to USA, free house without rent, free food, NY trips and above all, 30,000 INR as income. What else can a maid ask for. She must have been envied in her circle by her peers. She must have been praised and applauded. She must have been hailed. See, even I never earned 30,000 INR when I was in India. I really had to struggle my way to get to that salary point. But DK showed her a life. 

But seems like things went weird. No one knows how this case just popped up out of blue. What political/personal/national differences are existing deep inside. I don't understand, why Attorney General Preet Bharara never targeted those millions of traffickers who illegally bring others into this country with fake visas and work permits. Why he targeted only DK? Only God and Preet Bharara know the answer. 

But what I am really surprised by is- Ms DK's case went so viral that the relationship between two nations is totally maligned! The relationship that lasted and continued for decades is now on turf because of a MAID? Are you kidding? Seriously?  What could have been a simple sit and talk situation now became so dirty that when I sit to talk with my friends, I am being asked one simple question- "hey what is this maid issue happening now?". Really? A maid issue? 

Now, today when I opened this article, I was totally shocked to see DK showing concerns about meeting her children. I expected some lines about how bad she would be feeling that two nations are fighting. But rather I am in awe while reading the lines on how she would meet her children when they decide to study in US. Really? I thought, you will have to travel across the globe as a diplomat and have your children with you wherever you go. Or rather you can always have them study/go to college in India. And DK is also mentioning about clearing the name in the visa fraud case. Hey....isn't her name mentioned in Adarsh housing scam? Isn't it necessary to clear the name in homeland first? Why a diplomat, whose name was brought up in a scam in India is never charged/questioned? Uff...looks like DK has to clean up several things without a maid now! 

Too many questions, too many situations, too many allegations, too many concerns- only one answer -
Have a MAID IN INDIA!  Not in the US especially when she/he is MADE IN INDIA! 

Wednesday, January 08, 2014

An open letter to Mohan Babu- The legend of Telugu film Industry


(oops...Did I just provide evidence for something???)


I think, Padma Shri (?) Dr Mohan Babu (MB) is truly a legend as he (self)proclaims. As old sayings say, one should realise one's own potential. MB did realise his potential- unlike other actors. In fact Many people were in awe when he received Padma Shri award. And I know many even expressed sigh of relief when High Court asked him to forfeit the award. But I do believe he is a legend. After watching this video, I dare those- who refuse to accept. Infact I can give substantial proof to what I am saying. 

Actor

MB started his career as a villain. He played extraordinary villain roles in 80% of his films. He lived upto the roles. He was just so natural that many people thought (me too..) he was not even acting. I was scared of MB as a child. I was so scared that  I never went to watch him on big screen. And even to this day when he acts! And I am still stuck to my resolution. He is one such actor in the industry, who thinks he is acting and he does! 

Telugu lover

You see unlike other heroes in telugu industry, MB truly stuck to telugu movies. You might think that he was never offered roles from bollywood...you might also think that he is not even known in bollywood. But I say- he loves telugu. He is so in deeply love with the language that he stuck to telugu throughout his life. The only other language that MB loved to talk/act was - the gibberish that he used pretty much in all movies. He even opened a school and included Telugu as a subject for all andhra kids and especially his daughter who finds it difficult to communicate/ talk Telugu. See the proof here

Father

He continued his legacy. He has a legendary lineage. I came to know in early 2000 that telugu industry and critics said that MB's sons can't fit as heroes. They highly criticised their looks. They also went ahead by saying that they possess poor acting skills. But MB was a true father. He never let his sons down. He himself produced their films and encouraged them in the industry. Though he went bankrupt couple of times, in his heart, he remained a proud father who appreciated his sons when industry continued to dislike and disapprove them. He proved that looks and acting do not matter. All that matters is love and then legacy and lineage. 


Equal opportunity employer

MB always believed in equal opportunity in movies. From Annapurna to Charmee, MB believed in giving opportunity to every heroine. He believed in hard work even if that calls for slapping female casts! Many people misunderstand him as someone with ego and ruthless behaviour. But perception differs. Even BBC misunderstood him. See here

No casteism in movies

Finally, from the recent denikaina ready movie controversy, I started believing in him strongly. He proved that caste is no bar in movies. Even though he was criticised for insulting certain community, he re-attacked them, told them they were there to just seek alms and fought back with his supporters. Let it take little damaging to the community or the people, he did stand by what he said. See here

Finally, before I finish my blog on MB and stop showering my kindness towards him, I strongly feel sad that he was asked to forfeit Padma Shri award which is given to honorable citizens of India who contributed towards society in one or the other way. I know it is rude and against rules to use the title in movies. I know Honorable High Court knows more than anyone, but still, MB just wanted to feel proud of his award. Just like his life, he wanted to showcase what he achieved. The same movie, that created quite a furor, in his life also made him forfeit his award. He shouldn't have been given the award if he was to see this day. What a dishonor! But MB please remember, you have an ardent fan here- who also thinks you continue to act and continues to think you can act. 



Monday, January 06, 2014

Chocolate hero who meltdown without a notice


(Image from Google Search)

Uday Kiran committed suicide. The very first thought that struck me was, "Alas! he is killed". My eyes became moist and so are my mother's and my friends'. We were never his fans. But he proved that a common man can make it big. Yet, he took his life. 

But who killed him? He committed suicide. It is evident. Even forensics can prove it. But really? Is he that weak to do so? The news channels are screaming and yelling at their pitch that he died due to family problems? One news channel reported that he died because he is under financial pressure. Another one went ahead to claim that he has differences in his married life. But what I fail to understand is, where were these people when he was killed careerwise a decade ago? 

Uday Kiran is an epitome of any middle class young boy, who dreamt of making it big into film industry. Like NTR dreamt 50 years ago. Like ANR dreamt 45 years ago. Like Ramanaidu dreamt 40 years ago. Like Chiranjeevi dreamt 30 years ago. Like many other legends, Uday was a young boy who came into the tinsel town with starry dreams. With budding acting skills, critics' whips and fans' demands, he paved a path for himself. He went on to grab awards, dreamy roles and duets in beautiful landscapes. Amidst all these dreams, came the proposal of chiranjeevi's daughter. Suddenly the star was high in career and personal life. 

Overnight his engagement was called off. Which is a very personal reason. But what was more surprising was, his career plunged into a valley and disappeared into oblivion. What I fail to understand here is, why the career of a young boy, whose engagement was called off, is no where to be seen? What had happened was his personal life. What does it have to do with movies? Why directors and producers ignored him? Why the same film industry who once ran behind him for appointments, shunned him. Really? Like the film industry never supported heroes with girlfriends out of wedlock? Like never supported actors whose engagements/weddings broke off? Never supported heroes who were in news for wrong reasons? Really?

No one wants to speak. No one wants to accept that, he was a potential threat to many upcoming heroes who are part of legacies and lineages. He doesn't have a father/babais (uncles), mother and brothers from film industry to support him. The depressing part of the ordeal is, even producers and directors proved to be dumb, deaf and blind. The actor was left on roads.

The film industry is definitely not the only reason why Uday Kiran is no more. But definitely played an important role in ending his life. Ending his career. For conspiracy. For brutality.

Its been 24 hours since the news broke out. Not a single so-called ivy-league actor from film industry like chiranjeevi, venkatesh, nagarjuna, the nandamuris or for that matter, any hero of this gen has commented on his death. It was just Murali mohan and character/junior artists who are expressing their condolences. Why is this? Is he so unimportant? Not to forget that Uday Kiran was a trendsetter. He brought fresh air and new life to movies in new millenium. He paved a way for rom-coms in Telugu. He gave life to many young/new directors, music directors and heroines. 

May his soul rest in peace. May the brutal minds behind his career realise their mistake. Even if no one is ready to accept, deep in their hearts, they know, they were instrumental  in his death. Deep in their hearts they know they killed him. Deep in their hearts they know, they ended the dreams of a young boy. Deep in their hearts, they know they will continue to do so...as long as audience hail their self proclaimed legacy. As long as audience are brainwashed. As long as audience fail to understand the difference between talent and blood relations. 


RIP my chocolate hero. I miss you.