Luck by Chance- Don’t miss it by any chance

Finally, a breakaway and it is fresh new young talent in the Indian Film Industry in the veil of director, actor and producer and all are set to make it big. Yes, am talking about the Akhtar family and this time coming into limelight is directorial debutant Zoya Akhtar with Luck by Chance that took almost six years to run in the theaters.

Luck by Chance is again an insight into Bollywood industry with strings of some great star-studded cameos. The sequence in the film spells the in and out of the Indian film industry beginning with the guard at the gate, the never ending supply of tea by the chaiwala to getting the first role, thus giving a reason to dream for many million boys and girls as why its show business still the big business. Luck by chance portrays the darker side too, reflects the stark reality behind the veil of glitz and glamour, sweat behind the arc lights and the lump on the throat on failure to get clicked.

It’s a simple story of two struggling actors Vikram Jai Singh(Farhan) and Sona (Konkona Sen sharma). Vikram has left the plush lifestyle of his father’s home at Delhi, only to prove his mettle as an actor with a burning desire while Sona has come to Mumbai to answer her life’s calling with dreams in her eyes to make it big one day.

On the other side is the affluent Punjabi family with Rommi Roli (Rishi Kapoor) playing as a Punjabi producer who is worried as Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan), has refused to sign his next film. Rishi Kapoor is simply a must watch as throughout Luck by Chance he has been extremely amusing a character with all his superstitious mannerisms. While the typical other part of glamour world is the coaxing and use of cobweb networking of a former celeb Neena (Dimple Kapadia) to give the first break to her daughter Niki (Isha Shravani).

It is here that Luck by Chance unfolds. Vikram and Sona did fall in love eventually, little knowing that their life is soon going to rotate in different orbit to keep the story of Luck by Chance revolving. Vikram gets the chance to be the lead role while Chaudhary (a typical film producer) opens the door for Sona . In this journey up the success ladder what is it that the couple compromise on.…. Watch out Luck by Chance in this weekend and unearth the fabric of the story while enjoying the season for cameos from Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla, Akshay Khanna, funny man Boman Irani, Sexy John Abraham to K areena Kapoor, Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi. Diaz Mira did make an appearance too.

So Luck by Chance has pulled in all stars to twinkle together and do you know that Zoya Akhtar does not make too much hype of these guest appearances, but yes she thanks them for taking time out for her dream film.

If you did not see Luck by Chance you might feel that the film is all about Farhan Akhtar. But you need to know its end to realize that it’s the role of a woman that was more important throughout the film. So, essentially the film belongs to Konkana Sen Sharma too. Besides this, watch out the dance numbers of our superstar Hrithik Roshan while the dialogues of Javed Akhtar are as brilliant as ever.

A rating of 8/10 and I feel it’s a must watch for Zoya’s direction, Farhan’s brilliant acting, Konkona’s scintillating performance and Hrithik’s dance.

Aid to Pakistan continues…Does Obama administration have the answer?

In spite of repeated proclaims that international terrorism has roots embedded in the soils of Pakistan…the flow of funds in the form of World Bank and IMF aid continues. Why?
Pakistan has always been bailed out, doled out by unheard moves and unseen gestures… the question remains as why?

Since the year 1952, Pakistan has always been receiving foreign aid of varied types for specific purposes. But where did all the funds go? Did the aid help transform Pakistan to a healthier state economically? The truth lies in the gruesome statistical numbers of literacy, education, quality of living. Since then and till now, nearly 75 percent population lives hand to mouth with income of not more than $2 a day. Apart from this, check on their foreign reserve that is dwindling and is almost negligible. So, once again and one more time Pakistan wants soft loans and who else but US needs to dole out Pakistan. Again US is the major trade partner of Pakistan. Apart from US, Pakistan receives aid from China too. With the recent moves, almost 27 signatures made on the dotted lines with respect to space technology, defense and further trading relation with China.

To survive Pakistan needs the aid… and why cannot we simply stop giving aid and sever ties with a country that is unleashing terror on all fronts. The answer is simple, the closest allies of Pakistan need this country for their own geopolitical reasons.

India is still watching, only contemplating on Pak’s response to the dossier… or waiting for another 26/11 to make the next move …or just being cautious so that it’s once again Obama who needs to make the first move and others will follow.

And now with the Obama administration, Pakistan has been warned that the flow of non-military aid to the country will be made conditional. This move is a part of Obama’s first foreign policy and to bring about accountability in Pakistan, a country that is reluctant to fight terrorism. Reported figure says that $55 million aid to Pakistan has been withheld by Obama administration.

President Obama…. Please hear the cry of the far-off lands too as you take decisions on International Terrorism and Pakistan.

Maruti Swift v Hyundai i20

In response to a blogger's comment I just thought to share in some tit-bit details about Maruti Swift to help one make an informed choice as whether to spend few bucks more to upgrade pleasure driving with Hyundai i20....

Here is the car of the era, compact yet spacious, technologically advanced yet environment friendly from the pioneer of small car manufacturers Maruti Suzuki, christened as Maruti Swift. But then as Maruti was making inroads into the mindset of compact-car category, Hyundai made no mistake to capitalize on Maruti’s success with launch of Hyundai i10 and now with more advanced and spacious Hyundai i20. If spacious is synonymous with Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20 promises value for money with no compromise on comfort and space.

In the mini-car segment, both Maruti Swift and Hyundai i20 comes with 5 door hatchback but Hyundai i20 comes with an extended wheelbase measuring 2525mm. This aspect gives greater stability to Hyundai i20 as compared to Maruti Swift with wheelbase of 2390mm. And the size does matters and rightly so Hyundai i20 stands with 3940 mm in length and 1710 in width in comparison to Maruti Swift overall length of 3760mm and overall width of 1690mm. In height you might see our Hyundai i20 a bit shorter to Swift but in its look Hyundai i20 reflects sturdier appeal. With increased overall length and width, I feel that the interior space of Hyundai i20 is always greater thus enhancing comfort with style. When it comes to voting for spaciousness, I felt that spending few extra bucks will help you enjoy a better leg space with roomy interiors in a Hyundai i20 than in Maruti Swift. However, check the performance statistics before you make your choice.

The greatest innovation in terms of lighter weight is the all aluminum engine and the Hyundai i20 is equipped with modern Kappa engine for optimum fuel efficiency and minimum gas emission. And the Maruti Swift too responds at the slightest touch in the all aluminum 1298cc engine with 16 valves that generates torque of 113Nm@4500rpm. The maximum speed of Maruti Swift is 160km/h and from 0-60 km, Maruti Swift takes just 6 seconds. The gearbox matches perfectly with the power and the torque curves. Whereas, the Hyundai i20 with differential gear ratio clocks 0-60km in 12.9 seconds. Hyundai i20 is good for the Indian roads but I know not how the car will perform in the highway.

Available in five variants and six shades of metallic hue, price of Maruti Swift ranges from Rs 4 lacs to Rs 5.6 lacs. While Hyundai i20, launched in eight vibrant shades is priced at Rs 4.79 lacs for Magna version, Rs.5.59 lacs for the Asta and Rs.5.82 lacs for Asta (O), New Delhi, ex-showroom.

So, just check out and drive with pleasure

National Girl Child Day-A Satirical Thought?

New-born girls thrown into dustbin, malnutrition, female foeticide, unequal education rights to girl child in comparison to boys, restricting her thoughts just because she is born a girl. In every way, everybody wants to earn from a girl child just because it is still considered in this land of billion populations a burden, a liability and above all a curse…

What are we doing to change the minds of this people who trade girls as a breeding stock to feed their hungry mouth and filthy minds? One need not to go to a theater and spend some bucks to watch a horror movie, just take a sneak-peek into domestic violence and everyday torture that a girl child bore in her daily living.

Its been 61 years that we have gained independence from the slavery of British Rule but we are still in the shackles of selfish thoughts, cruelest ideas and gruesome motives. India represents the poorest child-sex ratio. As an emerging economy with technological advancement and growing popularity, we are institutionalizing a day as National Girl Child Day when we retrospect what we have done and then we make some five-year plans to make it happen in black and white…. Ridiculous ain’t it?

There is a celebration of Valentine day, Mother’s day and Father’s day and now with respect to National Girl Child Day on 24th January, Archies will launch their daughter’s day campaign. Wow! What a way to strike the right emotional chord and make few bucks in name of a Girl Child.

Do you know why our slugabed politicians chose 24th January as National Girl Child Day… Just because to commemorate the date as on this day Indira Gandhi was sworn in as the first woman Prime Minister of India. Since then and till now what has changed…??

A question that is answered with several statistics and innumerable numbers such as there has been an increase in the girl child enrolment in education institution, there has been improvement in dismal sex ratio, there are upward trend in decreasing female foeticide…. Ironical are these statistical figures when the reality strikes you hard either through a happening in the next door or you read about a girl child found abandoned in pile of dust and heap of wastes.

It exists at all levels of the society and the growing concern is that it is not a direct consequence of poverty or illiteracy; it is the mindset of individuals. And it is my personal opinion that declaring a National Girl Child Day is not enough and neither it’s a starting point. It only highlights the fake promises and the meaningless actions.

It is the Girl Child only who can save another Girl Child…
Simply let there be a refusal to be born…
Let a Gay society emerge and let us silently see its consequence and a death of a Nation.

So do not save a Girl Child by paying a tribute in a National Girl Child Day….
Let the girl in a mother-in-law helps realize the girl in a daughter-in-law not to give birth and
Do not Save Me because I am a Girl Child….
Let me Dream because I am a Child !!!

Jolly Days Movie -Set to relive good old college days

A remake of Telugu film, Happy Days, this Kannada movie Jolly Days is hitting the theatres today with a bunch of newbies-Vishwas, Praveen, Pradeep, Spoorthi, Raghavendra, Rathuba and Rahul. So what this huge star cast got to do in Jolly Days?

Aha, it’s the college group and it is around them that the story revolves, vibrates and resonates. This bunch of engineering students’ plays, laughs, giggles and keep the movie going with Ruthika acting as a teacher. This movie helps one and all to rewind old college days and take few steps down the memory lane in the sands of time.

Jolly Days will help you smell the fragrance of yesteryears trapped in celluloid, thus giving a break into stereotypical living. The script-writer, director and actor all work in unison to reflect the optimism in youth. Music reverberates in Jolly Days with six songs and sheer melody that cuts across all barriers and captivates one and all. It’s a great musical treat from Meyer. The music infuses nostalgic feeling and you clock back in time.

Director M. D Sridhar optimizes on the talent of Aishwarya Nag and makes this film Jolly Days on the natural landscape of Om Beach and Kumta, making the audience feel connected to their earlier days of studying and ragging. Some settings are at very own Bangalore and Mangalore.

So check out at the theatres in this long weekend and get connected to your old buddies in new way.

Hyundai i20 review

With the success story of Hyundai-i10 and inspired by instincts, Hyundai launched its latest hatchback variant Hyundai-i20 only to reiterate its tagline Drive your way with a difference. The heat is ignited with dynamic imagination, innovation and intelligence of the designers. These engineers and manufacturers of Hyundai who placed this new Hyundai- i20 a little higher up to Hyundai Getz thus giving a threat to market of the Maruthi Swift. Hyundai Motors have been innovating to provide innovative solutions to the busy Indian roads; the small car Santro, the smart Hyundai-i10 or now the latest and smarter Hyundai-i20 reiterate the same.

Designed and developed in Germany, Europe the company says that the manufacturing of Hyundai-i20 will be done in India and then exported to the other countries, adding up to the mini-car segment. Hyundai-i20 doesn't differ too much with its younger brother Hyundai-i10. However, the plus one gets with Hyundai-i20 is that it comes with a 5-year warranty and three variants to chose from- the Hyundai i20 Magna, Hyundai i20 Asta and Hyundai i20 Asta (O). The difference between Hyundai-i20 Asta model and the Asta (O) is that in the latter, Hyundai-i20 comes with side and curtain airbags.

Look: The all new Hyundai-i20 reflects a unique blend of power, energy and luxury. The car is longer, wider and shorter than the Hyundai Getz with an overall appeal that is anytime stronger than Maruthi Swift. As the target segment being the upwardly urban clientele, Hyundai-i20 is stylish with perfect exterior paneling. It sports an athletic look than Maruthi Swift and bears spacious interior design and architecture so that Hyundai Getz pushes into nostalgia. Different from Hyundai-i10 as i20 comes with 5 door with expanded wheelbase. Available in myriad hues of black, blue, white, red, silver and beige, one can simply drive one’s way to an exciting lifestyle with Hyundai-i20. Good large headlamp coupled with sporty fog lamps further adds to its look while the raked steep windscreen merges with the tail section

Performance: All favorite Hyundai-i20 is also equipped with 1197cc Kappa engine-the all aluminum engine that provides with a whopping torque of 110 Nm and 79 bhp @4000 rpm, along with improved fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions keeping the air clean and green. This new generation futuristic engine generates all time low noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) making the environment eco-friendly. For initial speeding from 0-60 Hyundai-i20 takes just 12.9 seconds. Equipped with 5-speed manual gearbox, it responds swiftly and enthusiastically at the slightest throttle pedal. One can surely derive substantial amount of fun and excitement if not speed driving a Hyundai-i20 back home.

Additionally the interior storage space of Hyundai-i20 is anytime larger than its competitors with its upright tailgate, be it Maruthi Swift or Fabia. The adjustable and the foldable feature of the rear bench, makes Hyundai-i20 quite unique and helps in going for fishing with all its anglers and necessities. The allied comfort features are adjustable head rest (both front and rear), electrically adjusted rear view mirrors that are foldable too, integrated music system in the dashboard with 4 speakers and 2 tweeters while audio can be controlled from the steering. Drive Hyundai-i20 with additional comfort by adjusting the seat in accordance with height and that’s not all one can also adjust the steering for greater visibility.
Hyundai-i20 incorporates enhanced safety features too and that includes air bags, front seatbelt pretensioners, new generation anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and electronic stability control.

Final Verdict: Even after writing this Hyundai-i20 review I would still say that wait before you go ahead to book it as come the first quarter of 2009, all variants of Hyundai-i20 will be fitted with ESP(Electronic Stability Program) and also with CRDi version engine.

Outplacement-A concept that helps grow amidst loss

With worldwide economic slowdown and market indices touching low, retrenchment, downsizing, work force rationalization, job loss, strategic business units closure, mergers and acquisitions are the most common terms. What are the first-hand consequences of these business terms?

More often it is employees parting from their organization and being forced out of the job before they had planned. It is here that the services of an outplacement agency come in the forefront. Outplacement is a process by which the exit of an employee from the current organization is made smoother by placing the individual in another organization analyzing the potential and skill set of the person.

The outfall of a major business decision in the face of globalization might be parting with few hundred employees to several thousand working people. Thus retrenching becomes the order of the day and it is quite a complex process. An executive business decision for an organization might be a life changing situation for the parting employees. For some, it becomes a blow to their morale and often people begin to suffer from low self-esteem upon this eventuality. Additionally in countries like India, there is no unemployment benefit and neither any social security system exists, further fuelling extremely low self confidence.

It is here that the outplacement consultants can help motivate the parting employees to work effectively for a better opportunity. Outplacement agencies can help people find alternate jobs matching with their skill set without much compromise on the financial standpoint. The services of the outplacement agency can be beneficial for all-for the parting employees who get opportunity to work elsewhere; employees who are working need not to be scared and hence the productivity and efficiency is not hampered as they can feel assured that an alternative is possible and last but not the least the organization benefits from its brand image remaining unscathed.

The outplacement agency provides with programs of counseling, coaching and training to meet a specified personal goal and to achieve greater benefit from a systematic job-search process. Thus, a transition at no cost can be made smoother if the concept of outplacement is more formalized particularly in the emerging economies of the world.

Thus, an outplacement agency can ensure better lifetime career management but one thing must be kept in mind that some norms also need to be put in place so that the under performing employees might not develop any kind of feeling of complacency that might lead to counter-productivity.

With the given economic situation, I feel an efficient outplacement agency can bring forth a win-win situation for all.

Hope of Change as Obama delivers his inaugural speech

My blog had posts of Hilary Rodham Clinton running for the Presidential election, there was few knocks and punches of words that found space in my thoughts and hence in my writing between Mc. Cain and Barack Obama as they raced for their seat in White House and finally when it was President elect Barack Obama won an overwhelming victory, I chose to write few lines on people’s expectations of a change.

And today when the 44th President of United States of America takes oath, the whole world looks up to him with a ray of hope for streak of changes that would leave an indelible mark in the lives of millions and especially on the ailing US economy.

From Cuba to China from Kongolo to Japan all is geared up to witness a historic moment in the international arena, only showcasing the fact that there is no geographical barrier to celebration. And what an appeal the man has made with his true statesmanship.

Kongolo being Obama’s birth place will soon witness a transformation into a great tourist hot-spot. And do you know even in Japan, the name is selling and people are making money? Yes, in the land of the rising sun, several hundred thousand masks of Obama is being sold as the inauguration has generated scintillating senses of excitement even amidst deep feeling of insecurity.

As Barack Obama takes his oath on the Bible used by Abraham Lincoln, speculation on the content of his speech is far too many. According to him the road ahead would be long and the climb would be steep but he says “Its not a day to pause and reflect-it’s a day to act”

So said, with an inspiring life story of Barack Obama and his great oratorical ability to instill and infuse confidence into the hearts and minds of millions, he is inheriting a weak global staggering economy, innumerable cases of bankruptcy, aftermath of war, nuclear proliferation to climate change…

Here are we on the other side of the subcontinent waiting for the wave of Change to engulf one and all for a better and brighter tomorrow.

Ghajini : Film in the name of a Villain

Count his packs.....????

After almost a year, actor Aamir Khan resurfaces from the role of teacher in the movie Taare Zameen Par that is already buzzing with Oscar nominations. The new avatar is in eight packs ready to uproot the evils that shook his living and killed his beloved. A story of love and revenge.

There is the same cliché... A rich boy falls in a love with a poor next-door kind of girl. And this falling in love of Sunil Singhania (Aamir Khan) is more of Kalpana’s (Asin) Mother Teresa kind of attitude. She takes care of the old, orphan and special children with a smile of love, care and tenderness. However, the romance that was yet to bloom was nipped in the bud by Asin's sudden killing whereas she was unaware about the identity of her beloved (sachin or sanjay). Viewers can enjoy some moments of fun and expression of emotion as Asin talks laughs and feels for Sachin.

The story vibrates in flashback and thanks to the 2 year memoir written by Sanjay Singhania. This Sanjay Singhania was hit when his love was killed and he suffered from short term memory loss.

Where is the punch line?
It is how Sanjay Singhania takes revenge of his love not knowing as to who killed Asin except one name that was lipped in his ears as Asin breathed last. As he suffered from memory loss so he made his killing plans through taking notes, photos in Polaroid and above all by tattooing his body with his mission to kill.

However with reverberating music of A R Rehman and utter perfectionist mode of acting of Aamir Khan that the movie holds you on the edge though you know that what the end looks like. But here again, I felt that most songs are forced.

It can be a weekend evening entertainment where the character begins a new life with every fifteen minutes as he suffered from anterograde amnesia for the whole three hour movie. The story basically unfolded with the medical student (Jiah Khan) exploring the life of Sanjay Singhania as a project case.

My last verdict on Ghajini
A total Hindi-masala movie that runs on script stolen from Memento. And if you take out youthful, fresh-faced Asin from the movie there is just nothing in it. And oh yes… how much did Aamir Khan tried to save A. R. Murugadoss through his brilliant performance and those muscular looks is for you to watch and find.

Fight life with Fear staying United

As another day dawns and you sit with a morning cup of steaming coffee to browse through the newspaper, you should not be surprized to read churches are attacked, suicidal rates are increasing and your value of money is experiencing a free fall. Thus, we are being asked consciously, carefully and categorically to live in fear each day with… rising prices, job cuts, scams, frauds and getting killed or paralyzed by a terrorist.
Everywhere the tittle-tattle is on, living amidst Fear but who cares?

As we get up to tie the snicker laces for a half-a-mile jogging on the tracks, we forget that the news write-ups have affected someone somewhere. We fail to recognize them or feel repulsive or even impulsive to act just because it did not happen to me. However, it is believed that we cannot blame us. As because the system is running and if we you fail to take the lead, the axe might be on your shoulder. So, our daily chores force us to move ahead trampling anything and everything that comes under our feet. So, live your life first is the motto of this generation. But, not being collective brings with it the horror of terror-driven life, where no one is bothered about none, and everyone thus living in fear that it might happen to them one day.

The thought needs a change, action needs a reaction… the undeniable truth is Unity is Strength, so why not we unite under the umbrella of Humanity and take a step forward to feel for each to live free. Instead of a robotic way of life, why can’t each one of us spare some time and share a joke or ask with empathy as to how are your next door neighbor’s family people? Will it take too much of your measured time? The answer is a vehement NO. Just try out and you can feel the change, start it with one to make it with the Rest…

Take a kit-kat break on a monotonous daily life to add humor to it, instead of taking stress reliever pills. Why not, laugh aloud, instead of timing your workouts? It is well researched, surveyed and published in varied journals, that advocates happiness is the key to a successful, stress free and longer living. So, no need to restrict carbs on diet or put facial packs, instead feel happy from within to reflect cheerful demeanor and radiant skin.

The adage “Don’t worry, Be happy” needs to be implemented consciously to tide over volatile situations, joining hands all together, apart from defining a Purpose of Life to live longer and healthier than the rest.

It should not be I am existing in Fear instead it should be We are Fighting Fear to be Happy !!!