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Farmville – A Speculative Appreciation (?) Kartik KJ 22 Million! That’s the number of people, according to the creators of the game, that log in at least once a day to check their farms and/or harvest it. No other game in the history of online gaming, has seen such adulation, admiration, and may I say, addiction. The thought behind this blog originated from two things – one, the incessant friends’ updates on FB which are all about Farmville, and the ensuing curiousity that lead me to reading an article online about Farmville that asked this question - Has Farmville got anything to do with user’s inclination towards pastoral lives and is it serving “this” intrinsic need in the virtual world? It has been ages since I saw most of my online friends so engaged in a game! What is it that pulls people towards Farmville? Why is it adding one millions new users per week? What makes people share passwords with friends while travelling just so that their virtual crop is harv

Kartik KJ When one of my friends posted on facebook that he really misses Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and Khichadi, I couldn’t agree more. So this is in wonderment if (and why) comedy fails to find prime-time viewership in India. Have we no talent to write humour? Worse, have we no sense of humour? Yes there have been the occasional comedy series – Dekh Bhai Dekh, Zabaan Sambhalke, Khichadi, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. But they have been few and far between. And lets be honest, how many of these got ‘prime time’ audience? Even sarabhai vs sarabhai, arguably the best sitcom, won more critical acclaim than TRP per se. What’s with the obsession of seeing depressed women? Our primetime is but a spectacle of the agony of being a woman - the oppressed woman, the sacrificing woman, the ugly woman, the dark complexioned woman, the everliving woman (read Baa). It’s almost like our primetime has been held hostage by the Saas Bahu drama. There’s nothing that makes you sit up and watch. Yes, I know the next

When I first read that the information and broadcast ministry has slapped a notice under section six and other sections of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 to the owners of Big Boss, I was taken aback. If the entire concept of the show is ‘people being themselves’ in a home, how can there be a problem? Do we not want to see (or do we not have the guts to accept) how we are, when we are being ourselves? Agreed, there was violent behaviour, and agreed that it is not acceptable. But lets play it fair here. There have been many such shows before now, which more lewd and less real and got away with it. I am referring to the many music channels of today who are taking youngistan to a sleaze ride these days. Why is it that this new reality has come under the scanner? For that matter, what was so wrong with Sach ka Saamna for it to be taken off air. The question, we debated over coffee in office, was not of nudity there. It was about moral nudity. Or simply – the truth. If our tru

Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapur need to take a bow. The former for delivering an out and out commercial film full of authentic art and the latter for giving the best performance of his life. For many who ask and wonder what great film making is about. And want to understand where the 'craft' actually lies, Kaminey is a textbook, of how to rewrite the rules of Commercial cinema, and yet make a film that is sure to be a hit. Warning: It aint a lovey dovey cosy film (although some trailers gave that impression.. esp the romantic slow song and the raat ke dhai baje promo). This one is a dark film. Literally as well as in its subject. The screenplay is the first of the many pluses this film has to its merit. The recent Hollywood Comedy Hangover, showed how a film becomes funnier, only because of a non-linear plot, this one is a reply from the Hindi Film Industry. Agreed, it takes a while before you understand what really is happening here, the jigsaw in fact takes upto the interva

‘And we Twist’ the simple tale of love? The point was made well. And well in advance. It was clear that Rishi (playing a Sardar Coffee shop owner in a phoren land) was trying to explain to Jai (an aspiring Khulla sand in his early/late twenties) what love is all about and how the Generation 2.0 cares not of the real thing – the pyaar, ishq mohobbat types. Now that was that. But why make an entire film trying to prove that point? So there you have a couple a year into a relationship (Saif and Deepika) throwing a ‘breakup party’ to the surprise of their friends. They separate and decide to keep in touch like bosom pals. Giving dating tips, criticizing fashion sense and all that they couldn’t do as a ‘couple’. But when the warning of commitment lurks, the two find themselves helpless. A love too deep never confessed, is harder to reveal than to hide. And the ho hum drags along, with each of them taking their own sweet time to realize yehi pyaar hota hai and all that! The point is, the fil

Vishal Bhardwaj has himself to blame for raising the bar. Arguably OmKara is one of the finest films in recent times. It's music too was of very high standards compelling AR Rehman who won the film fare award the same year to admit while receiving the award that his favorite album of the year was infact OmKara. So comparison is obvious and after almost spending a week on the album or Kaminey. Here is my verdict - I still like Omkara better. This is not to take anything away fromit, for it might still end up being one of the best albums Of the year, and some it's songs will be chartbusters! Dhan-ta- tan for sure! A word about Gulzaar must be said. To Use words like Dhan-ta-tan and mix them up in a cocktail of poetry, is an art almost exclusive to him. The song, sung by Vishal and Sukhvinder is already topping charts, deservingly. The other song which will find its way into the hearts of the audience has got to be – Raat ke dhai baje. Teasing tones of Sunidhi and Rekha Bhardwaj

Life, Hope and Susan Boyle! Kartik KJ “I dreamed a dream in time gone by, When hope was high and life worth living…” For those who don’t know the above two lines, these are the first two lines of the song that Susan Boyle chose to sing at Britains got Talent. For those who don’t know Susan Boyle, she is being seen as the messiah of hope and possibilities, after her grounded yet spellbinding performance at Britains talent based reality show. She walked in as an unassuming 47 year old, self proclaimed ‘never been kissed’ virgin and walked out to become an overnight celebrity (3Lakh youtube hits, if you may) Back to the two lines… The two most agreeable lines ever written, aren’t they? Life, the puppeteer. It makes you swing, toss and fly at its will. And what happens then of that small dream, you once dreamed? Whatever it was – to be a writer, to be a teacher, to be a dancer, to be florist, to be a gardener, - it gets shot down in the socio-economic hoo-hah of living for your soul or for

Aloo Chaat – aptizing, but not satiating. In recessionary times, if your regular Chaatwala bhaiya who makes Aloo Chaat for a living, decides to reduce on the quantity a little to suit his pocket, and suit his convenience, how would you feel? If it tasted well, but last enough to leave you satiated? Well that what I felt after watching Aloo Chaat. After choosing a great premise and building a beautiful plot, Aloo chaat rushes into a abrupt climax and finishes just about when you felt you in for a great treat. Don’t get me wrong, this is a very nice film. But it is almost an opportunity lost, for the story had the potential to stretch a couple of reels and give a few more comic punches, which it so beautifully does otherwise. The story is simple and belongs to todays times. What does Indian boy studying in America do when he falls for a Muslim girl? He tells his parents it could be worse – it were a pardesi girl, with her pardesi ways, raw meat cuisine and bikini comforts! The plot is li

How Fair of unfair do you think are this years awards..? Heres what I found on this website http://www.khabrein.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20470&Itemid=70&limit=1&limitstart=1 Assuming these are true. Here's what I feel. Nominees: Dostana; Ghajini; Jodhaa Akbar; Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi; Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na Rock On!! Winner- Jodha Akbar Well, first of all, where A Wednesday? What in the world is the reason why Rab ne finds a mention and A Wednesday doesnt? It is kinda ridiculous. Although, in the final analysis, the winner had to be Jodha Akbar, for its mass and class appeal. Best Director Nominations: A.R. Murugadoss - Ghajini Abhishek Kapoor - Rock On!! Aditya Chopra - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Ashutosh Gowariker - Jodhaa Akbar Madhur Bhandarkar - Fashion Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday! Winnner: Ashutosh Gowarikar (Jodha Akbar) I personally felt it was a close call between three here - Neeraj, Madhur and Ashutosh, but then again I agree that it is safe

Well.. Isnt it unfair that we dont get to see the oscar nominated movies well after the awards are done and dusted? Anyways, here's reviewing the second nomination for best film. The curious case of Benjamin Button is a film about a man born old and aging in the reverse order. It is a film more importantly about the agelessness of everlasting love. Set in the 40s-60s the films look is true to its time - pastal and postcardish. The film is vaguely reminiscent of 3 previous oscar successes. In the flashback narrated by an ailing old woman and her daughter in a hospital, reminds you of Titanic's rose telling her grand-daughter her love story. In the way in which the lead pair (Pitt and Blanchett) meet and depart, there is a 'carrot and peas' feel of Forrest Gump. And, one particular sequence to narrate Kate's accident is almost on the lines of the French Oscar favorite of that year, Amilie. Having said that, the film does have a soul of its own, thanks to its endearing

I have been a huge fan of Vishal Bhardwaj ever since Maqbool. In all his films, he has done a great job and the great combination of a music director and a director that Bardhwaj is, can be seen in all his films - Makdee, Maqbool, Omkara and even Blue Umbrella. To say that I have been waiting to watch his next film is an understatement. And how pleasantly surprised I was when I went to watch Delhi 6 and this promo was screened. Kaminey stars Shahid Kapoor in a double role and Priyanka Chopra. This movie has certainly aroused the curiousity of everybody, and be sure that I will follow this film up! For starters, this one's coming across as a comedy, with a "mean side" as the trailer says, Priyanka looks stunning another Desi Girl avatar and Shaid seems to have joined the six pack club.. Lets wait and watch

This is such a great concept. Autobiographical, Reflective and very inspiring.. WOW.. is the only word. A friend of mine and I first saw this ad on the cannes lion website and we went silent for some time.. This ad has that effect on you... Watch it to believe it!

Humko Monkey Shakti Dena ;-)! If one had to compare, I don’t think Delhi 6 is anywhere near Rang De Basanti. In fact, the friend with whom I saw the movie suggested that the direction looked like a poor replica of Rang de Basanti. I agree to the extent that the movies message seems to come in its last quarter and up until then it’s just a watchable film. The film begins with the an aged Waheeda Rehman deciding to come back to Delhi 6, the place where she wants to die in peace. Abhishek Bachan, her grandson, decides to drop her there and comes to experience an internal journey. In Delhi 6, we meet an array of characters, a Old style house with Tulsi in the aangan, neighbours who practically live with you and stories of estranged brotherhood, lost love and ambitions crushed in orthodoxy. While this happens among the principal characters, on the broad level, Delhi is experiencing attacks from a black monkey, who no one has seen but all have heard of. There is also a Ramleela, which stops

Whats the whole poverty porn debate about? What really is the fuss? Are we upset at the display of poverty? Or are we upset about portrayal of India? Or are we simply upset that a movie which is a favorite to win the Oscar for the best film is based on a character life sees the downside of India? What really are we upset about? Why was it not an issue when Lagaan was nominated? Why was it not an issue when Deepa Mehtas water was nominated? Is it the importance of the category then that has upset us? What really has upset us? Are we not in the midst of this vague debate forgetting that this is infact a very well made film? Danny Boyles Slumdog Millionaire is very rich cinema. It makes you empathise for its characters. The directorial genius that oozes out of all the visual metaphors of the movie is commendable. I like this film for what it is – a film. No reasons to get personal about it. IF it were only about showing poverty in india and ensuring the film becomes a hit, why haven’t fil

Confessions of a drunk mind! Every once in a while comes a movie that the critics go gaga about and the box office reports don’t quite agree. The overacclaimed-yet-failed category of films. So while there seems to quite a upheaval about whether this movie deserved the 5 star rating it got, it is clear this isn’t a movie for all. (In fact, what reviews have done by slating this movie as one based on lust and sexuality, is that it has driven the wrong kind of audiences into the cinemas. May be.. anyways now to the review.) It is indeed the coming of age for Sex in Indian films. While there have been many attempts, they have stopped at mere lust, or the occasional skin show, more than smooching and stripping. And now, finally a movie that uses ‘sex’ as its essence. No. I do not mean that there is a lot of skin show in this movie. Infact, there is hardly any to call this an erotic experience in any sense. But it is realistic portrayal of sexual chemistry in the between its principle charac

Khoda pahad nikla Ghajini?? Well Well Well… Is there such a thing as a threshold of hype? The marketing campaigns that go into creating hype around the big releases are quite a case study in themselves. That Ghajini would have recovered all of its money in advance booking and music sales, is old news. If after so much push, it hadn’t recovered the money, that would be some news!! But is it a good movie? Let's investigate. Take one of the oldest bollywood formula – Revenge, try and add a common twist with an uncommon twang – Anterograde amnesia (where the patient remembers only 15 minutes of his past) – That’s Ghajini.. Oh yes.. the flashback also shows us who his lady love Kalpana was and introduces us to a bubbly budding model of a smalltime agency. Endearing and enthusiastic! To begin with, nothing is awfully wrong with this one. Just that one expected a lot more from the promos. For one, the writings on Aamirs body have only a word of explanation in the film .And that’s that!!

'Look, he is Madhur Bhandarkar’, says a model backstage to another. ‘He is making a realistic film on Fashion, must be doing his research.’, pips her colleague. Clearly, the director, is trying to prove in more than one way that he knows the strike a balance between being realistic and outright commercial. He does it, and how! So while fashion has all the glitz and glamour that one associates with the industry in context, he goes way deeper and exposes the dirty realities of the same. Drugs, abuses, wardrobe malfunctions, rivalries, live in relationships, gays - he has it all! And to his credit, the ensemble comes to life on the screen in a well told story. Fashion is about the small town girl Meghna (Priyanka) and her dream to make it big in the Fashion world. She leaves Chandigarh against her parents wish and comes to Mumbai. Fashion explores her journey from a struggler, to an eye-candy, to a model to a supermodel and a victim of her own success. Too much success too early becom

When the terrorist calls! A retired police commissioner sits on a bench on Marine Drive and goes back in thoughts.. and is reminded of the most unforgettable day in his life.. a Wednesday. The Commissioner (Anupam Kher) apparently an expert at cracking terrorism cases, gets a call from an unknown number – it’s a threat that 4 bombs have been planted at different places in the city. They will blow the city apart at the same time. There is only one option: Hand over 4 arrested Islamic Terrorists. The police are shown to act with poise under the leadership of Kher. Loyal officers, all willing to give their lives for the project to save Mumbai, is a heartwarming feeling, especially at a time when bomb blasts are more frequent than film releases. In Anupam’s restless eyes you see the intensity to nail down the terrorist. His body language and the crisp dialogues go hand in hand to convince you that he is indeed the best man for the job (both as the policeman and as the actor). And then ther

Tahaan.. Wow! Innocence exploited, Images of a burning fire that spits fury on the white ice of the valleys of Kashmir, visual metaphors galore – welcome to world class cinema! A film which at the premise is a story of a boy who will do anything to get his pet donkey back, is also a real earthly fable of non fictitious events that have burnt the heaven on earth – Kashmir. Tahaan- the protagonist is a typical kid being himself - Talking to his donkey, sharing secrets with him. Poverty and misfortune strike one after the other and the family has to sell everything – finally, even the donkey. What will he do get him back? Rather, what won’t he? A failed attempt to steal it back (and genuinely making it look like it wasn’t stolen), racing the donkey against mules, nothing works. He finds comfort in a new friend Idriz who promises him that his Baba will get him his donkey back, for a favor. The rest is of course history. The child, without knowing the meaning of terrorism becomes a means of

Phoonk Welcome to the vague world. Where crows stare continuously, lemons spell disaster, an angry look can send you flying. RGV invites us to get scared with what is possibly a ‘scary movie’ attempt at horror film making. The titling of the movie does builds your appetite, and perhaps that’s the reason why you end up so disappointed. Post Bhoot and the promotion built around phoonk, you cant help but expect to be surprised by the director. A surprise it is, of the dismal kind! A construction tycoon fires an eccentric duo, characterized by a spastic-acting man and a devilish-laughing woman. Doom follows as the home is now jinxed. From scary (?) dreams to bones to lemons to charcoal crosses on the walls – you name it and you have all the stereotypical material to convince you that there indeed is some black magic in the house. The daughter is now possessed. She speaks in a manly voices, kicks the doctor on his belly, stares at crows endlessly. Enter the psychiatrist. ‘All physical tests

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na “Woh gaana to sirf mai usi ke liye hi gaaonga. For that special someone”, says Jai (Imran) when his friends ask him what’s that song he will sing for his love. He goes dreamy eyed, chococate smiles. Typical moment for an archetypal romantic film to break into an alaap! But no! “Gaaega ki maar khayega!”, pips Aditi (Genilia). Such spontaneity, wit and humour, take Jaane Tu at a level that very few films reach. What’s new in this film? Nothing and Everything. There is no pretence in the director’s approach. He knows what he is doing. He gives us what we have always gotten - but makes sure that the sum of parts is greater that the whole. While each department of the film excels on its own, put together, the experience is Simply Superb! Its fresh, relevant, contemporary, identifiable and an amazing movie experience.. A story of a group of friends. Two of them (the lead pair) are so close to one another, that the obvious is expected. Questioning the popular Ek ladka au