Memories Without a Picture

Memories without a picture are like the-

Hues of your mood.

Warmth of your body.

Sweetness of your love.

Surrealism of your absence.

A reminder if abundant happiness!

Colors of Seasons!

“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.

Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.

Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.

Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.”

― Yoko Ono

This has been one of my ambitious endeavors. A panel painting that is five feet long, depicting the colors of seasons (I have). And guess what? It has added a new character to my surrounding! Did you like it? 

Amazing Days

Amazing days those were…

The only desire was to drown in your eyes;

And the biggest fear was to lose myself there.

The greatest dream was to hold your hands;

And the fear was that you’d let it go.

The scariest thing was to walk past you;

And the bravest thing was to talk to you.

Amazing days those were…

Jourrney of Life

S

he traveled in the journey of life;

Often feeling unsettled -

Always unsure of the final destination.

And, when she rested on his shoulder

She knew she was home!

No Reason is a Good Reason!

Trust me…

No reason is also a good reason for mehandhi!

Melted Crayons

Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth

-          Pablo Picasso

I think the above quote describes this painting perfectly. Getting drenched with the rainbow colored rain seems dreamy and we know that it is impossible. But, that’s the beauty of dream, isn’t it? It is a means to escape from reality; at the same time to appreciate the reality!

The above painting is made by melting crayons using hairdryer. Did you like it?

Us

I can’t decide if I should choose you or me.

Because –

All I ever wanted was us!

What's Up?

WhatsApp has been a part of my life for over six years now. Before the seven years hitch sets in, I thought of noting down 5 things that WhatsApp has taught me. Incidentally, I realized that the application has not only influenced my day-to-day life and routine, it has also affected the way I react and respond. How? Read on…

·       Happiness

When I wake up in the morning and see a dear one’s message, a broad smile spreads on my face. It could be anything – a simple good morning or last evening’s late goodnight. It gives a strange flavor of physical connect in the virtual world; like a juice with flavors of fruits and not real fruits!

·       Patience

How many times have we waited for the response for our ping from someone - Constantly checking the notifications and silently praying that our smartphone breaks the silence! Sometime, it could be because the message is not delivered due to poor network coverage on any of the either ends or simply because they have not responded yet. If that person was physically present, imagine the magnitude of drama that would follow for such lack of response!

·       Silence

How much time can we be silent with someone who is beside us? After sometime, we all would talk them. Apologize. Laugh. Or at least say what we wanted to say and move on. But, with WhatsApp and its features to block others, hide the “last seen” and what not, it is more than easy to ignore someone. I am not going to analyze further to evaluate if that’s good or not. But, it’s weird for sure.

Virtual world showers us with unlimited freedom. To fake. Hide. Avoid. Ignore. Add filters to our face and re-read thoughts we wanted to share. But, sometimes, too much freedom is not so good. After all, what is life without a dash of humanity?

·       Indifference

Now, this is my favorite! Every day we get loads of forwarded messages via texts, videos, images, hyperlinks and the latest GIFs. Most of them doesn’t make sense and half of them are already shared by others. They clutter our time as much as they clutter our phone memory. Over years, we have learnt to be indifferent towards such messages; have made peace with it and moved on.

·       Thankfulness

I wanted to save the best for last. Regardless of the fact that our day more or less starts and ends with WhatsApp, it acts as a strong medium to be in touch with near and dear ones equally. Unlike other social media, the privacy element is more with WhatsApp and hence, it is special.

Well, these are the five virtues that I think WhatsApp has taught me over years. What did it teach you?

Keep Smiling

When you fail a test and your insides want to spill out,

Tell yourself that this is not the end;

But a new beginning.

Embrace yourself tight;

Don’t blame yourself.

Look forward to conquer your dreams;

Stay positive.

Believe that everything’ll be alright;

Keep that smile intact!

Tu Tu Mein Mein - 31

Heart  : I think you have changed a lot

Mind   : Who? Me? Why do you say so?

Heart  : I am not saying something out of the blue, okay.

Mind   : Of course, you are not. I just asked why you felt so.

Heart  : Because you hardly talk to me. There are no conversations anymore.

Mind   : Come on, we talk. Are we not speaking now?

Heart  : No, you are answering to my questions.

Mind   : Maybe.  But at least I am answering, right?

Heart  : Oh yeah! So generous of you. I shall forever be thankful for this.

Mind   : Why are you being so sarcastic? I just said what I felt.

Heart  : Exactly, you can say whatever you feel. And, I have to agree. But, you? Do you even listen to me? Or bother to answer me?

Mind   : Just now you said I answer. (confused)

Heart  : Wow! Now you are blaming me for something I said. Well and good. I deserve this. After all, I decided to be with you and I initiated this conversation. (Cries)

Mind   : But the problem was we don’t have conversations. Now you are contradicting. I don’t understand what your problem is.

Heart  : Forget it, leave me alone. I don’t want to talk to you anymore. Ever.

Mind   : Whatever!

Heart  : See, you have changed a lot. You don’t ever care to console me.

Mind   : **************RUNS AWAY**************

Nature & I

Look deep into nature, then you will understand everything better.

- Albert Einstein

Intoxicated

You are toxic.

I know too well.

But, alas!

Am intoxicated to you!

Messed up Life?

"Why is my life so messed up?"
A question that often comes in our mind.
The answer is same as the answer to the question - why is my house so messy.
Because you either messed it yourself or let someone else mess it up for you.
Either way, the responsibility to clean it is your responsibility. Because it's your home!

My Umbrella

I don't cry no more.

Because -

You are with me.

Like an umbrella,

Shielding me from the clouds of sadness;

And rains of tears!

Easy Kolam

PS: Because many people asked me what a Kolam is…

Kolam refers to intricate patterns drawn both free handedly and by joining dots. These can be widely seen in the Southern part of India. Women draw this early morning, preferably before Sunrise after cleaning the courtyard. Earlier rice powder was used – it was a means to feed ants and small insects. However, these days, stone powder and even chalk is used. If such powders are used, it is called Pudi Kolam. Sometimes, brick powder will be used as outline on auspicious days, Tuesdays and Fridays. If rice powder is mixed in water and similar patterns are drawn, it is called Maavu/Maa Kolam. In West Bengal, it is called Alpona. In North India, people used rice/stone powders for the outline and fill the patterns with colors. This is called Rangoli.

It is believed that Kolam brings prosperity. It is drawn for almost all the auspicious occasions like marriages and festivals. When someone dies in the household, the family don’t draw any kolam for a year.  

Children in small towns learn the art of making kolam at a very young age. In fact, a girl who knows to draw impeccable and intricate kolam is a pride for the entire family and the village she stays. However, owing to modernization, city life and apartment culture, this art is soon dying.

Word Loan

When you run out of words,
Take loan from...

The nature - always awe-inspiring.
The universe - infinite
The Sun - impartial
The Moon - so serene
The Stars - twinkling and artistic
The Sky and clouds - such a painting!

Else...
Delve deeper into yourself.
Your memories are unique.
Your dreams and fantasies are beautiful.
Your soul is awesome.
You are the best!

So...
Romance words...
They are all yours.
They'll inspire you!

Be your Anchor

Be your own anchor.
Take charge of your life and feelings.
Love yourself first and prioritize yourself.
Because no one like you and no one is worthier than you!

Beautiful Sound

The most beautiful sound?

Whispers between pen and paper...

Beats of fingers on keyboard.

Cheers for Togetherness

Prominent grey hair and visible wrinkles spoke of years that lay behind him; them. But they felt like teenagers again at heart.

"Am I still allowed to say I love you?" he asked. She noticed that his sagging eyes still glinted - the way she always liked.

"Why not?" she asked and looked away with a sloppy smile plastered on her face.

Meanwhile, he handed her a file. She opened and gasped. It had a bunch of old papers with handwritten words that has almost disappeared. Yet she knew. How could she not!

"The first letter I made was when you were in your College, right. Seems like it was just yesterday", she said while letting her drown in the sea of the memories of first love.

"It's just that I am not 16 anymore. But 85", he smiled. Silence followed. They couldn't believe that they have known each each other for 75 years!!!

"Cheers for togetherness", they chimed as the coffee mugs clicked against each other on their 50th wedding anniversary.

Headache in the Heart

Language: English
No. of Pages: 175
Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers
ISBN: 978-9387792128

From the Book Blurb
"He swiped right...."He swiped right....She accepted the request....Bingo! it is a MATCH! She met his gaze, looked into his eyes that were the brown of a caffeine and for a moment everything within her stilled. Meet Chayya who had just spent one sizzling and impulsive night of passion in the arms of the most irresistible stranger she'd ever met. There she felt the beauty of love at first sight with Kshitij - a tender singer and desirous songwriter. A delighted and jubilant Chayya when entered in the dark world of Kshitij's loneliness, She was slumped in his love!She was not living, she was dead-alive! She came out as a lonesome. "It is not a wound that will heal someday,The agony of one sided love will kill you every day...."

My Thoughts
First time author, Abhya Gupta's book named Headache in the Heart is a story of unrequited love. It takes us through the journey of a die-hard romantic  who is in love with ambitious and stubborn Kshitij in the very first sight. What follows is a rollercoaster ride of emotions as Chayya hopelessly tries to be her own anchor in order to find a way - to be with Kshitij or get over him. 

To begin with, the cover page perfectly summarises the premise on which the story is based. It is also titled perfectly, giving away what could be expected from the book - love, heartbreak and the related dilemma. The book blurb also sets the expectations. As readers, we are aware that the book is going to be a love story. 

The way Chayya and Kshitij meet is relevant in today's time where marriages are viewed differently. The relationship between Chayya and her friend Manvi is sweet and straight from the heart.

However, the casual writing style, absence of detailng of the situations and most importantly poorly developed characters makes it pretty boring and impersonal. The grammatical and typo errors further dilutes the quality. Where did the editors go? 

Headache in the Heart would have been a very romantic and heart wrenching tale of love if it was in a short story format. But as a full fledged novel, it fails. Absence of depth to characters and emotions would make us wonder, "so what?" Or think "not again!"

Rating
2/5

PS: It's been a while since I have agreed to do a book review on request. When my friend Rama Mani asks, I can't say no! Also thanks to the author!!! :)

A Letter to Self!

Dear me,

For as long as I remember, you have been like this. Crazy. Mischievous. Black sheep. And that makes me love you even more. Because you are not like anyone I come across. You are unique and you have been so since the time I knew you. Do not change. You set new standards. Don't let the society dampen your spirits, corrupt your identity and throw you as another rubbish in the ever crowded human jungle.

Yours truly,

You!

I Stumbled!

I stumbled;
When love touched me.
Before I knew I was falling -
For you!

Hold my Hands!

Sweetheart, hold my hands;
walk in the journey of life
To make memories.

A Page from weekend

She got up early with an excited smile and energetic demeanor. Weekdays are always fun, isn't it? As if a little reward for the monotonous weekdays. Wake up - cook - eat - get ready - travel to work - work - eat - work - travel back home - clean - eat - sleep!

Weekend, on the contrary, is full of fun. It gives an opportunity to look different, explore different things and live a little differently.

That weekend she decided to doll up and walk around random streets. What can be more interesting than exploring a new place? But, somehow she ended up in a shopping outlet. It was new and she had not been there before. She thought it would be fun to do some window shopping and see the new trends of the seasons.

The security greeted with a smile and welcomed her with a shopping bag. She tried to control the urge, but she fell for the styles and fabrics.

While waiting in the long queue near the exit, she looked at the overflowing shipping bag. "Do I really need them?" She wondered. She left the shopping bag nearby and walked through the exist.

It was sunny yet out of nowhere breeze hit her, as if hugging her for the small step she took - to step out than be caged within the illusion of happiness. Can happiness ever be bought? Can good memories be made as easy as swiping the card across the machine?

These questions seemed philosophical to her. But sometimes it's alright to do something totally different, isn't it? After all, it's weekend!!!!

Crave!

In this world of -
Selfishness, greed and endless impossible expectations,
Crave for peace. Happiness. Satisfaction.

What is life -
If the soul is haunted; or mercilessly murdered?
Crave for more happy dreams; work to make them come true.

In this world of -
Selfishness, greed and endless impossible expectations,
Believe that good things still happen; good hearts still beat.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

From the Book Blurb
It's a new school year and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into the harsh landscape of secondary school, where undersized weaklings have to share the hallways with kids who are six-feet-tall, dating and already shaving. While Greg's days are focused on school survival, he's happy to have Rowley, his reliable punching-bag sidekick, along for the ride. But when his best friend's star starts to rise at school, Greg tries to use Rowley's newfound popularity to his advantage. "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" is about everyday secondary school experiences and author/illustrator Jeff Kinney makes us recall our own childhood as we look back on just how perilous school can be. The warts-and-all experiences of his alter ego, Greg Heffley, are recorded in a diary that Greg's mother bought him to make him more "thoughtful." But as Greg says, "Just don't expect me to be all 'Dear Diary' this and 'Dear Diary' that. If she thinks I'm going to write down my 'feelings' or whatever in here, she's crazy." However, as in all the best coming-of-age stories, what Greg Heffley says he won't do and what he actually does are two very different things

About the Author
Jeff Kinney was raised in Maryland, USA. In his mid 20's, Jeff Kinney decided to write a book loosely based on his childhood that would encapsulate the funniest things that happened to him and his family over the years. He had never intended to run Diary of a Wimpy Kid on the Web, but the opportunity came up to post his story on funbrain.com as he was developing it. The book launched in May 2004 and has since had over 20 million visitors. Jeff Kinney married his wife, Julie, in 1998 and the couple has two sons. He and his family now live in Plainville, Massachusetts.

My Thoughts
To begin with, the cover page is colourful and also has a picture of have the main protagonist Greg looks. The book blurb gives an idea of what can be expected from the book - life of a boy who steps into to middle school.  

In the beginning of Middle School, Greg's mom presents a diary and the book is all about what Greg  writes in his diary. He uses it to describe his day to day events. Other characters in his life are people his mom, dad, older brother - Roderick, younger brother - Manny and his best friend in school Rowley.

Greg is crazy, naughty and stupid boy -  just like any other boy around! He is also funny and very ambitious. He looks life in a very hilarious way and that makes the book very interesting. There is not a single boring moment and it is excellent. 

Watch out for some hilarious description of incidents better Greg and Roderick. Also Greg and Rowley. Of course, the comic strip Greg creates.

I don't want to be a spoiler. So I stop here. However, let me tell you that this book is so interesting that your kid might start appreciating  reading  as a hobby

Personally, I think kids of the age of 9 or above can read this. Not those below that. And grown up kids like me (adult is the word, I know) can read this too. It'll surely appeal to everyone between 9 and 90 or even more. 

Go for it.

Rating

4/5

Birth of a Writer

When pen and paper
Make steamy love together
The writer is born!

Miss Me Not!

Miss me not, my dear.
Close your eyes and relax.
I'll pick you like a feather;
Cradle in my eyes.
And usher you to sleep.

Miss me not, my dear.
I'll meet you in your dreams.
Let's hold each other's hands;
Talk random rubbish.
And relive the comfort of togetherness.

Miss me not, my dear.
Trust me, I am you.
Embedded in your mind and soul;
Enwrapped by love and care.
And with you forever!

Good-bye

What to do?
Some people are like that.
They don't say goodbye.
They just walk away, leaving haunting silence behind.
And we have to just watch them vanish into thin air.
They also take our light with them;
Leave us in darkness which is surrounded by emptiness.
But, we should not complain.
We should just watch them go; accept the silence.
If possible, throw their memories to the universe and wish that the gravity doesn't throw it back to us.
What to do?
Some people are like that.
Selfish and not courteous!

Empower men!

End the hues and cries to empower women. They know their business and have been trained to respect and take care of not only themselves but also all others since birth.

Instead let's empower men to respect women, treat them like another fellow human being and take care of them.

May the men be empowered enough to shun ego and male chauvinism; so that they realise that humanity matters most.

Please end the hues and cries to empower women. It's time to empower men !!!

PS: Everyday is women's day as much as it is men's. So what if it is not March 8th but 9th?!

Under the Yellow Umbrella

I've been thinking about this all day," he said between kisses. "All. Day." Who was she kidding? She'd been harboring this fantasy for weeks. ― Samantha Chase, Wildest Dream

Memories!

The oscillation between feeling of someone's absence and one's own solitude is remarkable

It often stops and then the reality hits. It transports us to a land of awesomeness where there are just thoughts and more thoughts. It is amazing to note that it always devoid of the pungence of reality; enveloped by the air of oneness.

Memories! Such a cheater.
So addictive.
Dangerous, yet tempting.

Midnight Rumblings

And the night is here...

Dark yet radiating with the velvety hues.

The silence has enveloped my surrounding

I toss and turn -

Missing your warmth beside;

Filling the vacuum with your rhythmic breathing.

It could have been a special day -

Another sweet night; dreamlike.

But it's not!

For I miss you and feel empty

Like the sky on a no moon day.

I feel like the stagnated water; 

Waiting to ripple.

I glow though as your memories run in my mind,

Succumbing to nonchalance;

Hoping to hold you tight at least in my dreams.

Like the tiny illumination in the corner of nowhere.

I smile - surprising myself;

I realise what a natural part of me you've become.

Nothing is real and the surrealism is a temptress.

The night is giving way to the dawn;

I feel peace taking over me.

I count each second as the butterflies flutter within.

And I wait...

To taste sweetness of your presence again!

Go Green

Until I Met You...

Until I met you

I didn’t realize that I could be loved too.

Love could mean happiness too;

Togetherness too.

I didn’t know love could be mutual and forever too!

Padmavat

Cast	:	Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh Aditi Rao Hydari, Jim Sarbh
Director	:	Sanjay Leela Bansali
Cinematographer	:	Sudeep Chatterjee
Music	:	Background: Sanchit Balhara Songs: Sanjay Leela Bansali
Editor	:	Jayant Jadhar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Akiv Ali
Producer	:	Bhansali Productions Viacom 18 Motion Pictures
Release Date	:	26 January 2018
Length	:	2 Hours & 44 Minutes
Language	:	Hindi

 

Sanjay Leela Bansali’s magnum opus Padmavat (formerly known as Padmavati) is a poetic presentation of the valor and glory of the Padmavati, queen of Chittor who defeats the ruthless Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khalji with her resolute demeanor. The movie is loosely based on the poem written by Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 16^th century, who praises both the beauty and courage of the Rajput queen who lived in 13^th century. There are a lot of controversies relating to the poem itself; if it is a fragment of imagination or narration of real life incidents. Having said that Padmavat is a celebration of womanhood which highlights strength of women and the heights she could go to protect her self-respect and honor! Each frame is rich with not only grandeur but also with convictions.

 

The dialogs for the film (written by the direct in association with Prakash Kapadia) are amazing. They describe the glory of Rajput, cunningness of Alauddin Khalji (Ranveer Singh), helplessness of Mehrunisa (Aditi Rao Hydari) and the shrewdness of the eunuch Malik Kafur (Jim Sarbh). There are several moments where we hoot and clap. The movie celebrates the glory, courage and honor of the Rajput. Ironically, the protests were going on because the activists believed that the movie demeans the Rajputs! The cinematographer has brought the bygone era with splendor and opulence. It is impossible to take eyes off the screen or be amazed at the level of detailing that has gone into each frame. The background music often gives goosebumps, elevating the mood and evoking the right emotions. The songs are catchy and Ghoomar leaves us speechless. At 164 minutes, the movie indeed feels a little stretched, especially in the first half, considering we know the storyline including the climax! Although the first half concentrates on establishing the characters and the shades of relationships with each other, it seems exhausting. Even the richness seem to become redundant. However, the second half compensates and leaves us spellbound – climax specifically. The final dual between Alauddin Khalji and Raja Ratan Singh (Shahid Kapoor) could be blah and understated (because we have witnessed Bahubali of the worlds), but the impact that the actions of Rajput women create alongside is tremendous. There are multiple disclaimers in the beginning of the film about the historical accuracy and that the movie doesn’t encourage Sati/Jauhar (Self-immolation). However, the climax turns out to be a depiction of the power of womanhood, their courage and how they defeat the Sultan through self-immolation. Queen Padmavati self-immolates not because of fear or helplessness but to preserve her honor and dignity, to avenge the Sultan who not only hoodwinks her husband and kills in the battlefield, but also her soldiers. As she rightly mentions, the women fight the Sultan in their own way; in a way no one has fought before!

 

Ranveer Singh as the Sultan of Delhi is menacing and cunning. When he is onscreen, nothing matters – the richness, the beauty of sets or the brilliance of co-actors. Ranveer shines and mesmerizes us with his stellar performance. He is the best thing in the movie and he makes Padmavat a more compelling watch. Shahid Kapoor as the King of Chittor, a man with high values and courage, delivers a subdued performance. He is not timid, he is just helpless most of the times. Yet, he abides by rules and makes us feel proud. Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati is handsome. I know handsome is not the right word, but I don’t know any other word that describes her character or the way she has carried off herself. She is a go-getter and a no nonsense person who has the ability to motivate and persuade others, who is both beautiful and bold and teaches us how conviction can also defeat the opponent. A true hero. Who cares about the thesis relating to the factual accuracies and if Rani Padmati was reel or real? Because her story is appealing and still relevant; let’s just believe that she existed and that her traits exists in each woman’s heart forever.

 

In short, the movie is a true dedication to womanhood if not to the Rajputs or the depiction of Alauddin Khalji, as debated by historians and activists. It is worth your time and money. 3D only brings the characters and events closer to you though they had actually taken place nearly 800 years ago.

 

Take your family. Go for it. Feel proud and celebrate the heroism of Rani Padmavati!

 

Rating

4/5

Chapter 2

Karthik did not know where he was. It was only darkness around. He looked up and noticed that the sky had neither moon nor stars. He felt lost and hopeless. “Shakti”, he cried in despair. But he couldn't find her anywhere around.

Slowly fear started to engulf him; the darkness started to scare him less and her absence tortured him. Then, he saw a tiny light emanating from far end. He walked towards the light. As he neared the spot, he saw Shakthi.

Her skull was ripped open and her eyes were red with blood. She smiled and said, "I am going Karthik. You can enjoy your life. I will not trouble you anymore". Soon she vanished into smoke.

"Shakthi, don't go. I am sorry”, Karthik cried. He wanted to vanish into a smoke too. “Karthik… Karthik…” he heard her voice again. The sound which seemed to be too far away and feeble became clearer and nearer eventually.

With a shudder, he opened his eyes and looked around. His eyes were moist but he smiled with relief when he saw Shakthi lying on the bed. She smiled back too. He gently caressed her fingers. He saw that a tear escaped her eyes. He immediately wiped it off and said, "I am here Shakthi. Don't worry. We all are here. Sleep well. You will be alright soon".

She smiled again as she mumbled, "Will you be alright too? Will you not worry too? We are all here for you. Karthik…" In the mid-sentence she dozed off. It was very difficult for her to speak. Her mouth were dry and she had to think long to find the right words. Her head seemed to weigh a ton and even breathing was hurting her. But she had to reassure him. She had to let him know that she is there and she will always be there for him.

Karthik kissed her forehead gently and let his tears flow. Those tears didn't make him feel week, but strong. Very strong.

Each day in the hospital was an opportunity to rediscover each other. Karthik would tirelessly sit next to Shakthi, hoping that she would open her eyes. When she does, Karthik would be excited and reassure that she will be alright soon. He would tell her that doctor has said that she is showing a good progress. All along, she would be looking at him intently until she fell asleep again. He was living only for those few minutes when her eyes would be transfixed on his. Her silence and her reassuring smile was all he had. He realized the he could do anything for that and relentlessly wait for that. Sometimes, it would make him recall those days when they were still dating. He would wait for hours together just to meet her for a couple of minutes. The cycle seemed to have come a full circle. That’s the beauty of love, isn’t it? It lets silence speak too. It makes life worth living.

“Karthik, I am very sorry”, Shakthi murmured one day while oscillating between consciousness and unconsciousness. “I should never have fought with you. Blamed you. Doubted you. At least I should have been careful!”

“Shakthi, I should also have taken to meet your dad. I should have understood that you have lost your parent and that you are deeply hurt. Instead of being a moral support, I was in my own world without realizing that you are my world. Anyway, past is past. Remember that everything happens for a reason. All I want is you to get well soon which you will. I want my Shakthi back. I can’t imagine living without you”, he said.

A few minutes of silence took over the ICU ward and the only sound were the sobs in the middle of beeps of the sophisticated machines in it.

Then, they heard a mild knock on the door.

Autumn!

“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”

― Jim Bishop

Thaana Serndha Koottam

Cast	:	Suriya, Ramya Krishnan, Senthil, Sathyan Karthik, Keerthy Suresh, Nandha, Suresh Chandra Menon, Thambi Ramaiah, RJ Balaji
Director	:	Vignesh Shivn
Cinematographer	:	Dinesh Krishnan
Music	:	Anirudh Ravichander
Editor	:	A. Sreekar Prasad
Producer	:	Studio Green Aadnah Arts
Release Date	:	12 January 2018
Length	:	2 Hours & 18 Minutes
Language	:	Tamizh

My Thoughts

Thaana Serndha Koottam is Vignesh Shivn’s second directorial venture after the much loved and appreciated Naanum Rowdy Thaan. Apart from this, there are multiple other reasons why there were lots of expectations and hype around the film:

·         The full-of-life sodakku mela song

·         Interesting trailer which was sprinkled with clap-worthy dialogs

·         Suriya’s different avatar (read not as the angry and mostly shouting Duraisingam from the Singam brand wagon)

·         Senthil’s re-entry into the movies after a long break

·         Star value – Remya Krishnan and Karthik among many others

·         Storyline inspired by the Akshay Kumar starrer Hindi movie named Special 26 which was also much appreciated. In fact, Special 26 was inspired by the 1987 Opera House heist in Mumbai.

And the list just goes on…

However, what makes Thaana Serndha Koottam a blockbuster is the way in which the director has narrated the story and how he has reached out to the audiences with the simple/funny yet impactful as well as relevant dialogs. The characters’ graph and the back stories, ROFL moments as well as dialogs that evokes claps, crisp editing, picture perfect cinematography, brilliant and energetic background music further add to the all-round entertainer.

It was a delight to watch Suriya onscreen as Iniyan. As the name means, he was sweet and brilliant. He owns the screen inch by inch and carries the weight of the film without a tinge of hesitation. Remya Krishnan as the double faced angry-young woman named Azhagu Meena aka Jansi Rani was extraordinary. It was also a pleasure to watch veteran actors like Karthik and Senthil. Suresh Menon as the greedy officer Uttaman was apt. However, since his dubbing was done by director Gautham Vasudev Menon, it was impossible to reminisce the villains of kakka Kakka, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu and so on.

The movie would have been worth 5/5 rating if the following two clichés were avoided:

·         The hero is the only physically fit man in the gang. All others are comedians or weak. I mean didn’t Thani Oruvan have a strong battalion? Isn’t that possible? Or do the heroes still fear that the supporting actors could overshadow them? Or should the screenplay writer should be blamed?

·         Is it mandatory that the hero (who is in a mission) has to fall in love within few minutes from the start of the movie? Should the heroin be used only for songs and some random out of context scenes?

But, these are minor hiccups which could be overlooked. After all, Thaana Serndha Koottam is a mass entertainer.

So, this festive season, take your family along and go for Thaana Serndha Koottam.

Because it is a feel good film with a social relevant storyline which also offers tons of rib tickling moments.

Rating

4/5