My New Drawing - Taj Mahal

I finally got time to draw something after a decade.  Last one I drew was Eiffle Tower which turned out to be great and this time I attempted to draw Taj Mahal.  It hasn't turned out that good...but I am just happy to have drawn something after such a long time.  Other than that, you be the judge!

My Name Is Khan - Movie and Music Review

The much awaited movie of the year is here and before it even releases, it was surrounded by controversies results being that the movie was banned to be played in many states including Mumbai unfortunately.  I won't go into details of the controversy but all I can say is that something that Shahrukh khan said was made a big deal when it was nothing and political party of shiv sena took the step of banning the film to be played until Shahrukh khan apologized.  Honestly they made something big out of nothing and at the end the audience and the entire Bollywood film fraternity was with  SRK supporting him.

I got to watch the movie last night and I enjoyed it.  Before I go into anything let me tell you that this was a pure Karan Johar film with completely different approach from all his other movies, bringing together Shahrukh khan and Kajol together after long time ...after Kabhi khushi kabhi gham.  First of all, I enjoyed the movie because its SRK movie :).  This is a completely different role that SRK has portrayed who suffers from Asperger's syndrome and different movie from what Karan Johar normally makes.  Kajol is looking gorgeous.  SRK has played the character with such innocence and in many places, it's very cute.  All the light moments between SRK and kajol were cute and romantic.  I think the two messages that the movie brings out is right at the beginning where SRK says "My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist" and second where Rizwan's mother says "There are only two kinds of people in this world, good people and bad people" and that's the only difference, and there is no other difference between people even though if they are from different religious background, different nationality...etc.

I wouldn't want to spoil the movie for you, so DON'T READ FURTHER if you don't want to know the movie plot.

As much as I enjoyed the first half of the movie which was not so melodramatic and  went at the right pace with cute moments between SRK and kajol,  I mostly cried in the 2nd half of the movie, starting with the incident that happens with Kajol's son.  That was the heartbreaking scene and Kajol trying to cope with her son's death was so touching and emotional.  Another one is the scene between SRK and Kajol, where she blames him for her son's death because his surname was Khan.  When they get separated and kajol tells him to leave her, very innocently SRK asks "When do I come back?" was a good scene.  Another one of the touching scenes was between Jimmy shergil and SRK when Jimmy asks his brother to come inside the house and he turns away (Jimmy said that there won't be any relationship if he marries Kajol but then something happens with Jimmy's wife and Kajol comes to meet her but SRK doesn't come inside the house).  In short, I cried in every scene where they mentioned the kid's death and the scene between SRK and Kajol.

Now being said that, I also have some comments on the scenes which were dragged and completely unnecessary.
First on the list is the journey of SRK to go meet Mr. President.  He starts with San Francisco, then goes around to Georgia and then somehow comes back to LA ...keeping in mind that he didn't have much cash to start with and at one point he ran out of money with only $2 and some change.  So that was little confusing but if you're not really paying attention to the states you don't really care of where he goes and how he ends up in the state that he is in.

Second, the entire scene where he goes back to Georgia after hearing that a Hurricane has hit the state and there have been devastation.  Now on his journey he goes to state Georgia and meets this lady who gives him shelter and food for a day and that's how he gets attached to her.  When he goes out of Georgia, and hears in the news that Georgia was hit hard in hurricane he goes back to the state....It's not like Georgia is next door...I don't know how he got there so quick and with what transportation.  When he goes back he finds the entire neighborhood in water and all the community members gathered in one church where they're trying to survive and he helps them out.  Well honestly, living in US I know this much that there is no way that rescue teams didn't reach there to help those people get out of the chaos and they were still there after the hurricane hit the place.  This entire Georgia sequence was unnecessary when SRK goes there the second time.

So I guess these two scenes were added as the bollywood masala to wrap up the movie.  Being said this, I still enjoyed the movie and I think it was different from Karan Johar's typical bollywood style romantic, dramatic movies.  Jimmy Shergil has a small role as SRK's brother but has acted well and also the girl who plays his wife is good.

Music Review:
Now for the music of the film, my two favorite tracks are "Tere naina" and "Noor-E-Khuda".  Tere naina is the first song and will stay in your mid until the end because they have the line "Tere naina" playing throughout the movie as background music here and there.  Noor-E-Khuda is a beautiful track sung by Shankar Mahadevan, Adnan Sami and Shreya Ghoshal.  This will also leave a mark in your mind once you hear it.

That's it for the movie and music review folks...I enjoyed the movie and loved SRK and whether you're an SRK fan or not, I am sure you'll find the movie to be different....but I guess you will have to see it yourself to know it and feel the difference :).

Take care...

Calm before the storm!

Hey friends,

The time has come again for the schools to start and the only way I can define it is by saying that it's going to be a big storm this semester.  The moments right now are just the calm before the actual storm hits :p.  Well I was enjoying my one month break and going back to classes just seems ....somewhat hard...specially knowing that I will be taking 3 courses this semester including my masters project that too with full time work...Yikes!  Yes, yes...I know I am little crazy but I am almost done people.  If I finish these 3 things with good grades, I will be graduating with my masters degree this May 2010.  When I started my masters, I didn't know when and how I was going to finish it, I didn't even know if I was going to continue after the first 2 semesters assuming I wouldn't be really into going back to school.  But believe me, time has flown by and I'm into my 5th semester...I can't imagine how fast all these semesters have gone by.  Once I started classes in Spring 2007, I realized how much I missed the college...the classroom environment...meeting new people and making new friends....No..I didn't miss the homeworks, exams, quizes...etc.  But I loved going back and that's what made these 4 semesters fun and exciting with my friends whom I met from my first 2 semesters.  I just need to get through these 4 months now and I will be like a free bird :)...sorta.

So I have taken somewhat advantage of this 1 month break from school.  I watched Avatar in 3D, great movie, great experience.  This movie makes you realize how humans torture and destroy the mother nature for their own selfishness.  If you haven't seen it, go ahead and experience it yourself.  I also watched 3 idiots in the same weekend with my brother....great movie, great laughter, even better performances and for more read my entry on 3 idiots movie and music review.  My dear friend had come from Seattle so  got some time to catch up with her and we went to see Sherlock Holmes.  Another good movie, Robert Downey Jr. is a great actor and really funny.  I haven't seen any of his other movies but I am sure he's just as fantastic and sarcastic as he seems in this one....he seems very natural and specially got to love the way he moves when he talks....I think I am getting carried away...but do catch him in Sherlock Holmes when you get the chance.  Ohh and btw, he won the best actor award at Golden Globe Awards on Sunday Jan. 17th where his speech was amazingly funny so you don't want to miss that.

Um...what else?  The season 8 of 24 (last season) started on Sunday too....well I was switching back and forth between the 24 and golden globe awards...I hate it when they have two things you want to watch at the same time ...grrr.  Well I managed to catch both of them...or at least 24 for sure and caught the right parts of golden globe :p.  24 this time has the plot in New York for a change and it's def. got a different feel to it.  Anil Kapoor is playing the President of Middle East and was looking dashing as President Omar Hassan.  Jack Bauer is back in action.  I'm not liking the new team of CTU specially the head of CTU who has done nothing but made wrong decisions that has merely killed people...luckily Chloe is there to save the day.  Renae is brought back to run an undercover operation and she has seem to taken the role of Jack for being ruthless agent who would go to any limits to torture the suspect.  I am sensing that if the team of CTU is not up to their marks, Chloe, Jack and Renae are enough to take over and run their way.  Sorry folks if you are not into 24, the last paragraph might sound like a foreign language to you, but I'm into this show and I have seen all of its seasons and I also am anxiously awaiting for the movie that will basically close the 24 show.  But let's not go there!

That's it for now.  I will keep you posted on how the classes go and how my days are with ups and downs of new classes.  Take care and keep reading :).

3 idiots - Movie and Music Review

3 idiots was one of the most awaited movies of the year and it surely came with a bang!  Amazing movie, great performances and brings lots and lots of laughter with it.  Rajkumar Hirani has done it again after Munnabhai MBBS!  Two masterminds, Aamir khan and Rajkumar Hirani, came together to produce the best film of the year!  I wanted to see this movie for 2 reasons: 1) I had heard that the movie is based on the Chetan bhagat's book "Five Point Someone" which I have already read.  I loved the book so I couldn't wait for the movie and 2) because it's an aamir khan film.  His movies come once a year but they're mindblowing.  Last movie I saw was Ghajini and he was playing a macho man in that film, completely opposite of what he played in 3 idiots.

If you read my book review on Five-point someone, I had some doubts whether the actors would do justice to the characters of the book...but they exceeded all my expectations.  And oh my god...how did Aamir khan manage to look like 22 year old college kid...I mean really!  Let me be clear that the movie is NOT same as the book.  Movie has taken the concept and some of the story-line of the book but you'll find the movie different from the book and you won't be disappointed.  Obviously there is a interesting twist in the movie which is not in the book which is what keeps you on your toes.

Well since I have read the book, I was constantly making similarities and differences in my mind as I watched the movie.

SO DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE MOVIE BECAUSE IT MIGHT REVEAL SOME OF THE SECRETS OF THE MOVIE!!!!!!!

Similarities to the book:

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-  The college "Tanki" (Water tank) where the 3 friends hang out.

-  Character of Raju (played by Sharman Joshi in the movie) is consistent with the character Alok in the book about his personality, and his family condition.

-  The simple fight between Raju and other two friends and the patch up between them is also similar to the book.

-  Raju (played by Sharman) jumping from the 3rd floor since he was being rusticated but the difference is that he jumped from the "Tanki" in the book.

- Stealing of the exam paper is similar but for different purpose than the book.

- Also how the boys get caught via a phone call is in the movie but little different from the book.

-  The cause of death of Boman Irani's son is revealed to him but little different from the book.  In the book, Neha (played by Kareena) first tells Hari (played by Aamir) that her brother didn't die of an accident but instead committed a suicide and then Hari reveals this to Boman Irani.  In the movie, Pia (played by Kareena) reveals the death of her brother herself to her father.

Differences (a lot):

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-  The characters of Rancho (played by Aamir khan) and Farhan (played by Madhvan) seems to have interchanged a little from the book.  In the book, Ryan (aka Farhan) is from rich family and is really into learning new things instead of following the rules; he is someone who is the most creative and Hari (aka Rancho) wants to be like Ryan.

-  There is no mention of a dhaba in the movie where Alok, Hari and Ryan use to always go and eat parathas.

-  There was no mention of an ice-cream place where Neha (played by Kareena) and Hari (played by Aamir) used to meet all the time.

-  There is no Professor Veera in the movie which I would have loved to see since he always supported the 3 idiots.

-  Also Pia (played by Kareena) didn't have any sister in the book.

-  Ryan (played by Madhvan in the movie) also had a scooter which all 3 friends used to commute where as in the movie Pia's (played by Kareena) scootie was used.

-  In the book, Ryan (played by Madhvan in the movie) doesn't get any job and ends up getting an assistant position with professor Veera doing something he really enjoys (somewhat similar to Madhvan's track since he doesn't go for interview in the movie and instead convinces his dad to let him go into photography).

-  The biggest difference is the climax of the movie, where the ending is kind of open in the book where Alok and Hari get the job in 2 different cities and Neha (played by Kareena) is in touch with Hari and she's trying to find a job in the same city as Hari.  In the climax in the movie, Farhan and Raju get the job and Rancho ends up with Pia.  Originally Rancho vanishes after graduation which sets a complete different mood for the movie and marks the journey of the two friends looking for Rancho and main point of the movie.

These are some of the main points I noticed and there might be more.  I loved the movie and could recall some of the scenes being exactly similar to the book.....the movie is definitely more hillarious than the book and the performances are mind blowing.  Two of the surprise packages were Boman Irani and Sharman Joshi.  Boman Irani, playing the mean, rude director of the college, has a new look and will surprise you with his great acting.  On the other hand, Sharman Joshi gives outstanding performance.  He has improved a lot more and if you loved him in rang de basanti, you'll love him in this one too.  Aamir khan, Madhvan, Kareena kapoor are great as usual and a new guy who plays "Chatur (aka silencer)" is really funny as well.  I think I have said enough about the movie and the rest is up to you to go and watch it!

Music of the movie is nice too.  Two of my favorite tracks are "All izz well" and "Zoobi Doobi".  All izz well is sure to become the new antheme of the industry, I call it the "mastiful" song.  Zoobi Doobi on the other hand is romantic, danceable song sung by none other than great duet jodi, shreya ghoshal and sonu nigam.  The picturization of this song is very colorful as well.

Enjoy!

Tum Mile - Music and Movie Review

It's been a whlie since I have written any movie or music reviews.  Well I have a lot of songs in mind that I have been listening to lately and trust me music is the best source of relaxation or if you want to get your energy up, music can do tricks!

Tum Mile stars Emraan hashmi and Soha ali khan.  It's a love story with backdrop of 2005 July Mumbai floods.  I'm not a big fan of Emraan hashmi but he is definitely improving day by day.  His last release was Raaz 2 and the one before that was Jannat (really nice movie).  Both of their performances are good and the movie is nice too....I kind of missed some parts but not bad overall.

One thing you won't get over is the songs of this movie.  They're mind blowing and you'll start humming them as soon as you hear them.  There are 5 songs of the movie from which I simply love 4 of them from which 2 of them are sung by KK.  The lyrics are superb with the music of each song.  Let me give you a tour of the songs:
1) Tu hi haqeeqat sung by Javel Ali: Flawless, Romantic, Mind-blowing, great music, soft and soothing.  Some of the great lines of the song are:
      "tu hi haqeeqat khaab tu, dariya tu hi pyaas tu

      tu hi dil ki bekaraari tu sukun tu sukun"

      "aa tujhe inn baahon mein bhar ke aur bhi kar loon main kareeb

      tu juda ho toh age hain aata jaata har pal ajib"

      "uff yeh teri palakein ghani si, chhanv inaki hai dilnashi

      abb kise darr dhup ka hai kyun ki hai yeh mujhape bichhi"

100% recommend to listen to this song!

2) Tum mile sung by Neeraj Shreedhar: Nice foot-tapping song with disco backdrop.
3)  2 of the best tracks:
Dil Ibadat and O Meri Jaan sung by Fabulous KK: These two songs just won't get out of my mind.....flawless, amazingly sung by KK.  These two songs are emotional and I think KK tops this category when it comes to singing emotional songs.  Just superb!  110% recommend listening to both of these songs.

One thing is for sure with Emraan Hashmi's movies, no matter how the movie is the music is sure to hit the charts and get you moving.  Jannat, Gangster, Raaz 2 are just some of the examples with mind-blowing music.
Well hope you get to listen to the songs if you haven't already done so.  Hopefully will come back with more music reviews!

Twitter - Is it another addiction like facebook or myspace?

So I know that twitter has been out for a long time now but I just recently found out what it actually is.  I have heard about twitter from a lot of people but never was anxious to know what it was.  Honestly I didn't know what twitter was until this semester when my project required to do little research on twitter.  For my high performance networked computing project, we got an idea from someone to use Hadoop as the backend process for twitter which can process tweets in parallel.  Well I can't really explain what hadoop is because it took me and my team almost a semester to get it in our system, but the idea was that when tweets come in they get processed through hadoop to find the trending topics.  That is when I had to research what the twitter is and what are these "tweets".  I find out that twitter is used for status messages (140 characters tweets) that you can update every now and then.  You can follow people and other people can follow you.

I recently read in one of the articles that Shahid Kapoor (Bollywood actor) has a twitter account and when I googled him up, his twitter account came up.  I went on his account and found out that half of the bollywood is on twitter.  Shahrukh khan, Abhishek bacchan, akshay kumar, preity zinta, imran khan, sonam kapoor, konkona sen sharma, vivek oberoi, lara dutta, ritesh deshmukh, priyanka chopra, karan johar, shreya ghoshal, vishal-shekhar, and the list is endless.  I must say that once I followed shahid's tweets, I have been quite addicted to twitter and have been reading shahid's tweets along with vivek oberoi, abhishek bacchan, ritesh deshmukh, and just follow some other ones from the list of their followings.  Now the question is do I want to open my own account on twitter and follow these people :P....I'm so tempted to open an account on twitter just to follow these celebrities ;)......You'll know if I get on twitter!

I'm back!

Hello People!

It's been loooooong time since I have posted anything.  In fact, I had started to write the posts on my Caribbean cruise trip but unfortunately I could only write the first day experience and the other 6 days got cornered.  I have not gotten any time to do anything other than studying because of my classes.  My weekends' routine have mostly been visiting campus for group meetings or working on projects trying to meet the deadlines.  And trust me, those have not been very exciting.  In fact the last week of school, when I had a project report and project presentation due, I have gotten less and less sleep :(.  But thanks to Thanksgiving break and a mandatory 1 week off at work which gave me (no relaxing time, but) plenty of time to work on a project that hardly had any future of completion.  Me and my team members put some hard work in the last two weeks to get the project running.  So that's good enough for me....but we did the entire project report the night before it was due and prepared the entire project presentation 1 night before it was supposed to be presented...so that's quite an achievement.  Now I just need to wait and watch out for the grade...I'm really concerned about this course and wondering what I will get.  Ohh....I didn't even tell you which course I'm talking about...I'm talking about High Performance Networked Computing.

Well long story short, I am done with this semester (until the next one starts :(....I'm not thinking about it right now) and now I'll have some time to do other things such as write some more blog entries, draw some sketches, get some things done around the house and help out my mom whom I owe my entire masters degree.  Without her I wouldn't have been able to get where I am right now with 4 semesters done in masters degree.  She is the reason I have been able to focus on school without worrying about anything else.  I totally owe her everything!  She is the best!

So watch out for some more updates in the coming weeks before 2010 kicks in :-).  Well I've already got some things in mind that I want to talk about, some movie reviews, a lot of good music reviews, hopefully my rest of the caribbean cruise stories and anything else that comes in the way.

Till then, Tata :)