Let us pause and tip our hearts to Justice Markhandeya Katju...
Recently on Devil’s Advocate Katju appeared and made not so flattering observations about the media. Some of the key points he observed were on the quality of the journalists. He was point blank that today’s anchors and journalists are not at all well read and are of low intellect, Biased and prejudiced. He gave specific examples on the following:
1. A English channel running paid news where in favorable coverage was done for a Rs.1cr fee!
2. Journalists negotiating with media consultants (we all know Burqa-Radia gate)
3. Biased coverage based on what their ideology is (whole ndtv brigade)
4. Sensationalism often based on incomplete truth or outright lies…
He gave specific examples as to how a kareena kapoor wax statue or lady gaga interview takes precedence over news of substance. He pressed for more authority to Press council of India to regulate electronic media and wanted the weapon of fines and cancellation of licenses.
His comment that journalists have their own hidden agenda and ideology can’t be ignored. Let us see how many of you recall this news and identify the fringe group in this…
“A girl was beaten up in a town for act that was considered immoral and anti culture. A group of religious zealots got upset threatened her and beat her up. The police declined to register a case and requesting that it be settled out of court”.
Now guess what is the name of the Fringe group…
1. Sriram Sene,
2. Bhagat singh Sene or
3. Bajrang Dal.
If you are devout follower of NDTV I am sure you would pick one of the above. But the news was about a Muslim girl who had “Glory to god” tattooed in Urdu was chased and beaten up in Hypercity mall, in Malad Mumbai, by a group of educated middle class Muslim youth (both boys and girls). Now how many of you recall even hearing this story in the media? Whereas we all know what happened to under-aged teenage girls being served drinks in a Mangalore disco, by Sriram Sene. Tell me what is the difference and why the media is choosing to run a story on one for a week and not even mention for a second the other?
Now do you agree with Justice Katju? What is left now is for PigVijay Singh to find out if any support was extended to Justice Katju by RSS, I am sure that it will be news for the media especially the “Breaking News” kind.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
7aum Arivu Movie - A bold attempt indeed....
A Bold attempt indeed…
I watched “7aum Arivu” movie this weekend and was thoroughly impressed with the strong basis for the story, a good attempt at Science Fiction Genre and a relevant villain (China) for the present time. This movie is very different from the usual genre and doesn’t really fit into any existing categories as well. Usually the movies are all about heroes and punch dialogs and heroines as decorative ornaments and with liberal that calls out secularism usually in the form of a Muslim or a Christian father as the only kind group of souls in the society. This movie has given all the usual lines a go by, that in itself in my opinion is remarkable and bold.
The movie starts off tracing the Pallava dynasty till 5th century and calls out the achievements of “Bodhi Dharman” who predicts a major disease in China and starts of on a lone crusade (not the conversion army kind) to stop it within the existing region and cure the people as well. How is deified by the locals in China and eventually they archive him permanently is well captured and narrated as well.
The story then switches to modern day Chennai where in a circus performer is pursued by a Bio Engineering student (excellently portrayed by Shruti Haasan), initially it appears illogical that such a beautiful and smart girl will be after a circus guy but the director reveals the mystery down the line with each and every scene being tied into a brilliant script in the end. You have to watch the whole movie to understand it.
Suriya’s already a very good actor and has delivered on his roles with an element of naturalness that is missing in most heroes of today. He becomes and defines the characters. Whether it is dealing with the village folks that don’t trust him initially, falling for Shruti, realizing and portraying disappointment after understanding her motives, dialog delivery, action he has done them all well. Even in dancing, which is his Achilles heel, he has done well !
I must say that I was surprised by Shruti’s performance. She delivered excellently on the character and has a role that is equal to suriya’s - in length/time, scope and influence in the whole movie. Shruti looks refreshing with a girl next door charm and looks uniformly beautiful in a variety of dresses. After a long time, we have a “Tamil” heroine who knows the language and has actually dubbed for herself. Make no mistake, this is also a “bold concept” in Tamil movies now-a-days !
This movie also calls out how we as a society are deriding ourselves, without even thinking and giving credit for the fact that “our forefathers were not fools either”. In the end it implores people to look at the possible scientific motives behind our traditions. It also somewhat appeals to Tamils in particular to back each other up and not to pull each other down. In that there are some slightly chauvinistic dialogs deploring the condition of Tamils in Malaysia and Sri Lanka but stays within the realm of truth in that also.
This movie is sure to rile several critics, usually the media in India particularly the Anglo and the “Dravidian” kind have all been constantly fed crap that ancient Tamils are not Hindus, everything was forced on them and hindu/ancient religious practices and traditions are bad etc. Most of the media critics will be afraid to write anything about the hardnosed message in the movie, which is “Approach and understand your traditions scientifically, don’t be dismissive of them”. Murugadoss has to be given credit for having the guts to write “Religious conversion is also destroying your ancient knowledge wealth”, Suriya also for having the guts to actually deliver that dialog. This is anathema to the secularists.
I am of the opinion, if some Western director had made the movie on Bodhi Dharma and had the same science fiction angle in the later half, immediately all the so called critics will line up like moths to light to call out “How the facts have been researched in depth, how some anglo actor has portrayed the character excellently”. If Aamir Khan had done this, then our media reviews would have been will be totally different as well. Well that is another topic for another blog.
Hats OFF to the team that delivered this great experience ignore the critics - go see it. Definitely paisa vasool and then some.
முன்னோர்கள் முட்டாள்கள் அல்ல - just about summarizes the message of the movie.
I watched “7aum Arivu” movie this weekend and was thoroughly impressed with the strong basis for the story, a good attempt at Science Fiction Genre and a relevant villain (China) for the present time. This movie is very different from the usual genre and doesn’t really fit into any existing categories as well. Usually the movies are all about heroes and punch dialogs and heroines as decorative ornaments and with liberal that calls out secularism usually in the form of a Muslim or a Christian father as the only kind group of souls in the society. This movie has given all the usual lines a go by, that in itself in my opinion is remarkable and bold.
The movie starts off tracing the Pallava dynasty till 5th century and calls out the achievements of “Bodhi Dharman” who predicts a major disease in China and starts of on a lone crusade (not the conversion army kind) to stop it within the existing region and cure the people as well. How is deified by the locals in China and eventually they archive him permanently is well captured and narrated as well.
The story then switches to modern day Chennai where in a circus performer is pursued by a Bio Engineering student (excellently portrayed by Shruti Haasan), initially it appears illogical that such a beautiful and smart girl will be after a circus guy but the director reveals the mystery down the line with each and every scene being tied into a brilliant script in the end. You have to watch the whole movie to understand it.
Suriya’s already a very good actor and has delivered on his roles with an element of naturalness that is missing in most heroes of today. He becomes and defines the characters. Whether it is dealing with the village folks that don’t trust him initially, falling for Shruti, realizing and portraying disappointment after understanding her motives, dialog delivery, action he has done them all well. Even in dancing, which is his Achilles heel, he has done well !
I must say that I was surprised by Shruti’s performance. She delivered excellently on the character and has a role that is equal to suriya’s - in length/time, scope and influence in the whole movie. Shruti looks refreshing with a girl next door charm and looks uniformly beautiful in a variety of dresses. After a long time, we have a “Tamil” heroine who knows the language and has actually dubbed for herself. Make no mistake, this is also a “bold concept” in Tamil movies now-a-days !
This movie also calls out how we as a society are deriding ourselves, without even thinking and giving credit for the fact that “our forefathers were not fools either”. In the end it implores people to look at the possible scientific motives behind our traditions. It also somewhat appeals to Tamils in particular to back each other up and not to pull each other down. In that there are some slightly chauvinistic dialogs deploring the condition of Tamils in Malaysia and Sri Lanka but stays within the realm of truth in that also.
This movie is sure to rile several critics, usually the media in India particularly the Anglo and the “Dravidian” kind have all been constantly fed crap that ancient Tamils are not Hindus, everything was forced on them and hindu/ancient religious practices and traditions are bad etc. Most of the media critics will be afraid to write anything about the hardnosed message in the movie, which is “Approach and understand your traditions scientifically, don’t be dismissive of them”. Murugadoss has to be given credit for having the guts to write “Religious conversion is also destroying your ancient knowledge wealth”, Suriya also for having the guts to actually deliver that dialog. This is anathema to the secularists.
I am of the opinion, if some Western director had made the movie on Bodhi Dharma and had the same science fiction angle in the later half, immediately all the so called critics will line up like moths to light to call out “How the facts have been researched in depth, how some anglo actor has portrayed the character excellently”. If Aamir Khan had done this, then our media reviews would have been will be totally different as well. Well that is another topic for another blog.
Hats OFF to the team that delivered this great experience ignore the critics - go see it. Definitely paisa vasool and then some.
முன்னோர்கள் முட்டாள்கள் அல்ல - just about summarizes the message of the movie.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
We need JanCricketPal bill....
What does HCA stand for ? We know H is for Hyderabad & A for Association....
Well, if you ask a fan who attended the ind-eng ODI match, C will most like stand for Crooks or Corruption and definitely not Cricket. My family was unfortunate enough to go to the match, in the stand there was no water, no food most of the time. Bathrooms had no light whatsoever, no evidence of them being cleaned ever as well. Simple samosas were sold for 50 Rs. A 49 Rs. Pizza was sold for Rs. 200, Rs. 10 Ice creams were sold for Rs. 50. I have never seen so many “officials” doing nothing in my entire life. A huge protest by the people in the stand made them provide some food and water, at unaffordable prices…. The HCA officials had sumptuous 5-star buffet arranged for them and their cronies and VIPS, of course. God help Hyderabad Cricket, there is really no hope as long as the present lots of crooks run the show. This from someone who was in the 4000Rs. Stand, imagine the rest…. It is high time the government banned all matches in this stadium till everything from roof to toilets are ready.
Well, if you ask a fan who attended the ind-eng ODI match, C will most like stand for Crooks or Corruption and definitely not Cricket. My family was unfortunate enough to go to the match, in the stand there was no water, no food most of the time. Bathrooms had no light whatsoever, no evidence of them being cleaned ever as well. Simple samosas were sold for 50 Rs. A 49 Rs. Pizza was sold for Rs. 200, Rs. 10 Ice creams were sold for Rs. 50. I have never seen so many “officials” doing nothing in my entire life. A huge protest by the people in the stand made them provide some food and water, at unaffordable prices…. The HCA officials had sumptuous 5-star buffet arranged for them and their cronies and VIPS, of course. God help Hyderabad Cricket, there is really no hope as long as the present lots of crooks run the show. This from someone who was in the 4000Rs. Stand, imagine the rest…. It is high time the government banned all matches in this stadium till everything from roof to toilets are ready.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Never trust fake symbolisms...
Once again, Narendra Modi amazes me. His policy has always been development for all and appeasement for none. In that true spirit he declined to wear a skull cap offered by a Muslim cleric.
It is time, that folks shunned the wrong belief that those that don't believe in your religion but dress like you for your vote are your friends...
India has a long history of such fraudsters starting with the "Roman Brahmin" several centuries ago, who disguised themselves as Brahmins so that they can establish and carry on their conversion factories....
It is time, that folks shunned the wrong belief that those that don't believe in your religion but dress like you for your vote are your friends...
India has a long history of such fraudsters starting with the "Roman Brahmin" several centuries ago, who disguised themselves as Brahmins so that they can establish and carry on their conversion factories....
White Skinned ? Contact BCCI urgently...
Are you white skinned ? Or do you live abroad ? It doesn't matter what your skill is -- in singing or "performance arts". Please contact BCCI we need truck loads of them to perform in IPL, Champions league etc. You will get a platform for your "mediocre skills" while we completely ignore homegrown talent that is high-class and readily available. Yes, we don't even have local women who can wear the same skimpy clothes as you all do, for the cheerleader's post. Yes situation is desperate, contact BCCI immediately.
Folks, when I look at what is being showcased to the world by the BCCI, this is what comes to my mind as their "talent" sign-up. Upset at the latest champions league entertainment.it is the same western or wannabe western crap. When will we learn.... Some, Jaambavaan needs to tell this Hanumaan about the talent within...
Folks, when I look at what is being showcased to the world by the BCCI, this is what comes to my mind as their "talent" sign-up. Upset at the latest champions league entertainment.it is the same western or wannabe western crap. When will we learn.... Some, Jaambavaan needs to tell this Hanumaan about the talent within...
Friday, September 9, 2011
Watchout for the civil society - Part 5
It is pardon time in India. There is a huge debate on death penalty, what is cruel and unusual punishment etc. There is a set of civil society, especially the Catholic Church inspired kind that abhors death penalty and wants it abolished. They have only one option, which is to work with the government of the day to get it abolished. As long as death penalty is there in the statuette books, we have no option but to enforce the judgment.
The biggest culprit in the death sentence debate is the government and to some extent culpability exists with the Supreme Court. The government of the day wants to pardon Afzal Guru, the attacker of the parliament, just because it feels that it will help win elections in key states where in the Muslim population is the swing vote. Nobody can insult the Muslim patriots more than this line of thought and action is my opinion on this.
Due to political reasons the government kept the pardon applications of convicts pending for decades. Some intellectual in SC decided that to keep someone’s application pending is cruel and unusual punishment. Fortunately, sanity prevailed and a larger bench overturned the verdict. But lot of intellectuals (== ignoramus folks) are quoting the earlier judgment and are asking for pardons of all kinds.
We all have our genuine grievances to bomb our parliament, kill the present lot of MPs etc. but that doesn’t mean it should be legal or it should be pardoned ? Already, the SC has struck down a lot of death sentences ruling that only rarest of rare cases should get it. Even in those lot of sentences have been commuted (e.g. for Nalini, RG’s assassin etc.)
What is shocking is that folks like Nalini are now demanding release saying that I have spent x years in prison etc. totally forgetting that their conviction was for a death penalty deserving crime and they were sentenced as such and upheld all the way till SC.
Now every chauvinist is asking for pardon and commuting of sentences etc. Our SC is also unwittingly playing into their hands expressing reservations about cruel and unusual punishment angle etc. As usual, our government is totally silent, perhaps with glee hoping that this will a precedent for them to pardon their trophy criminal Afzal Guru.
God is our only hope, from this civil society… Let us pray.
Friday, August 26, 2011
The half italian has woken up....
Finally, Yuvarajaa felt it worthwhile to attend parliament. Alarmed, by the fact that MMS for one might take the initiative and solve something, he waltzed in and derided the whole direction of the debate. His plan will take another 50 years, if truly every aspect of corruption has to be tackled. It is very clear, that he wanted to show who is the boss and it clearly is not anyone running the government. His speech had a "Kapil Sibalish" feel to it. Now, the sycophants are lining up to applaud for elevating the debate. Boy, I am trying very hard not to puke at his statement.
1. Why a constitutional authority is better ? He needs to answer this.
2. He said that corrupt person as lokpal will be more damaging. Yes, you can't blame him -- for the person this govt will choose will be by default a corrupt sochopant. Look at the Doormat occupying the president's post. There is a candid admission here...
3. Even if it would take many more lokpals to deal with the problem, having one is better than nothing isn't it ?
It is a shame that no one in the media is asking all these Qs. Instead everyone is moronically reporting that he has broken his silence, elevated the level of the debate etc. The fundamental problem is asking for prosecution for corruption is like asking the congress to commit suicide.
At least, finally BJP has woken up and are demanding vote on the three specific aspects that AH camp wanted to begin with. The congress wants just a seminar in the lok sabha not a debate that would force all to make where they stand with respect to corruption and its prosecution.
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