Growing Up.

This post isn't a nostalgic one reminiscing about the sepia tinged days of childhood. This is about how we grow stupider and crazier as we grow up.
What is the difference between a child and an adult?
Nothing. Except being an adult has legal repercussions.
I have always felt a person's fundamental nature is formed by the age of 11. This nature doesn't change for as long as he or she lives. We just learn how to act in public.
So, whether you are grumpy, happy, sad or just plain weird. Don't expect you are gonna change by undergoing some hokey spiritual course. You are gonna remain exactly the same, only a little less richer. But where is all this coming from anyways?
Well, a panic-filled first drive experience.
Being dangerously impulsive by nature since I was a little brat, I sneaked out, took the car keys and decided to take our car for a spin. Alone.
At 21,  this may not seem like a big deal to most but it is, because thanks to a little 'crash' incident a while back, this was the first time I was driving in two years. (Making my count of individual driving experiences to a measly two).
So, there I was up and raring to go with no thought of how many lives I might be putting to risk. Little children playing around,  blissfully unaware of a clueless driver on a possibly deadly rampage, pedestrians,  cows, dogs and about a gazillion everyday life forms under possible threat of mutilation due to my expert driving. Yet, there I was. 

Now where I live, the road is about a nanometer wide with autos, scooters and school buses and BEST buses jostling for space. It also has bikes and cars parked on the sides with their rear ends jutting out just to add more fun to the mayhem.

My grand plan involved me, driving through that quagmire of lives and machines and then coming back home and boasting about it.

I know. Real mature,  grown up decision. 

So here's the story in short;

1.I drove; 

2.I hit an auto; 

3. I ran away; 

4.I got caught. 

On the way I also screamed like a banshee instead of honking to get people to make way.

But that's beside the point.

The point,  here is, that growing up and growing mature are mutually exclusive entities. 

And while the former is inevitable, the latter,  may or may not happen. So next time when you feel old and wise...you're probably not.

Movie Review: Ekk Main Aur Ekk Tu

Starring: Kareena Kapoor, Imran Khan
Director: Shakun Batra
Music: Amit Trivedi

Rom-coms have the typical quality of being sweet and very, predictable. EMAET steers clear of cliched endings atleast. The story is simple. Two polar opposites get married in a drunken haste, thanks to the skewed quick marriage laws in Las Vegas. After an initial shock, they begin a journey of discovering each other and themselves. Rianna Braganza helps Rahul Kapoor discover that there exists a life outside the stiffling rules and regulations set by his parents and the superfluous socialite world they live in.
Among the upsides, the movie scores in keepin the characters and the situations very real and relatable. The supporting cast is very strong in performances with some brilliant work by Ratna Pathak playing an exaggerated Mrs Sarabhai and Boman Irani portraying an extremely competitive father. The Braganza family ensemble cast is spot on and very funny.
 While Imran Khan's Rahul Kapoor goes through a gradual change Kareena Kapoor's character, to a large extent is one-dimensional. Her's being such a pivotal character, it lacks depth and layering. She's fun and that's about it. Imran Khan is sincere but it feels as if his acting skills need to be brushed up a bit more.
The film lacks drama which is both a good thing and a bad thing. The subtle tone complements the American rom-com style setting while the same proves a hindrance when it comes to the character's emotional quotient. Rahul claims that he is in love with Rianna. But you only come to know that when he says it himself. The movie keeps a smile to your face with a couple of absolutely hilarious sequences thrown in. The music is evocative and tells more about the character's state of mind than they themselves.

Overall, Ekk Main aur Ekk Tu is the perfect Valentine's day movie date. It's simple, fun and frolic and that's about it. It's not the kind of movie that would stay with you, it's more like a droolable strawberry shake with sugarfree- sweet but not quiet.

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes- A game of Shadows

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law
Director: Guy Ritchie

A game of Shadows, in short, is a masala entertainer. It has Robert Downey Jr as a more brawny than brainy Sherlock Holmes, Jude Law as an absolutely delectable Dr. Watson and Stephen Fry as an utterly hilarious Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's elder brother. Like the first part, the movie does not follow any particular story written by Sir Doyle but makes up a new one of its own with the elements thrown in. Here Holmes' arch nemesis Professor Moriarty is out wreck havoc on the western civilization and it's upto Holmes and a newly married Watson to stop him. The movie's most outstanding feature is it's special effects. The action packed sequence make you hold your breath and brawls want to make you whistle.
The movie has witty dialogues mouthed with elan by the leads and quiet a number of thrilling as well as funny sequences. There were talks of Brad Pitt playing the brilliant Prof. Moriarty, but thank the Lord's that didn't happen. Jared Harris as the sinister genius fits the character like a glove.
Among the things that the movie lacks is the basic storyline. With all the fantastic build up, one expects the actual conspiracy to blow away the mind. But, it falls flat rather like a delicious looking dish which tastes bland.
Having, said that the add on's more than make up for a rather weak plot. The relationship between a possessive Holmes and Dr. Watson, Holmes' rather short lived but passionate love for a thief among other things are covered brilliantly in the movie.
To sum up, A game of Shadows is like a enchanting musical piece, which stops just short of reaching its crescendo.