Dhulaayi is Hindi for washing.
Which is what will happen in all likelihood to the Indian Cricket Team on their tour to Australia. A very clean Surf-Excel whitewash.
Though a die-hard India supporter, I cant help but shudder at the prospect. Just a look at the itinerary - http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/series/291320.html?template=schedule - makes it hard to hope for anything better than a 0-2 result for India. We will lose the traditional first test, and definitely the Perth one.
Why?
1. We are going into the Tests after exactly ONE tour match. How the #@$% is that enough acclimatization after the Indian flat-tracks ?
2. We dont have the bowling to take 20 wickets in a Test match.
3. Aussie pace - Tait, Johnson and Lee are seriously quick. The Indian batsmen's ability to play genuine pace will be found out.
4. Indian batting. Each batsmen deserves special mention.
Wasim Jaffer - Flat track bully. Will be cruelly exposed.
Virender Sehwag - Very shady selection. Hasnt done enough to inspire confidence. Will be attacked in the rib-cage area, and on the offstump corridor.
Rahul Dravid - Of late, is showing some weakness against the quick incoming deliveries. Surely the Aussies have noticed that too. Still, remains one of the best hopes in batting.
Sachin Tendulkar - Reflexes have noticeably slowed down, and he is quite suspect at handling fast bouncers.
Sourav Ganguly - Not the best technique or footwork against pace, but he is playing for his place in the side, might do decently.
VVS Laxman - The dark horse to me. I think he has the best chance of the lot against the Aussie attack.
Yuvraj Singh - IF he gets to play, he will be an impact player. Will either be dismissed within 20 or will make big scores.
MS Dhoni - Not the best technique, but lots of temperament. Should give a good account of himself.
IMO, the ideal batting lineup will be Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Pathan, Kumble, Murali, Harbhajan/Pankaj Singh, Zaheer
No place for Sehwag & Jaffer in the team. 5 bowlers, with Pathan playing as an allrounder.
But does Kumble have the guts to make the tough calls ?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Sivaji The BOSS - The day after
Just watched Mr Rajnikanth's latest movie, and I dont know what to say. Actually, I want to say too many things at once...
For one, its a long movie. Well over 3 hours on the clock, but seems like the end of all time on the theater seat.
Secondly, the heroine - Shriya. Wow! Looks great in every frame; even in some of the most outlandishly-shot song sequences. Probably the best reason to watch this movie.
Then the ambience. Probably a multiplex is not the best place to experience a Rajni movie. I was the only person to let out catcalls and whistles through the whole movie. Sad, but true. Multiplex-goers suck ! Having their hands full of nachos, popcorn, bottled water doesnt help either.
The storyline? Formula Shankar-fare. Protagonist is a man of integrity, gets frustrated of the corrupt system and takes the law into his own hands. Nothing new. The humour is good; Rajni has always been good at that part, and his sidekick-Vivek does a good job. So much for the substance. The form? Like Janice ( of F*R*I*E*N*D*S fame ) says, O...My...Gaaawd... Mr Shankar seems to think that saying "Cool" at the end of every sentence is cool. I dont know what to say. Also, there is substantial skin show, but discreetly done only in the song sequences. In the other scenes, the heroine is the typical Bharatiya naari. A great balancing act between Rajni's clean family entertainment, and the current trends. Bravo Mr Shankar, u got that one right !
Finally to the man himself... The BOSS ( which incidentally stands for Bachelor of Social Service ). Well, the Boss is in pretty bad shape. At 58, he can hardly move his hips. Every scene requiring some physical exertion appears to be excruciating to the Boss. I cant help but compare him to his older peer, Amitabh Bachchan, who at 65(I think?) is acting in half the Hindi movies made and shaking his leg with Gusto on screen and in award shows. The Boss looks to be badly in need of serious medical attention.
Overall, it was a mediocre experience salvaged only by some bits of good comedy and Shriya's presence. But, for all Rajni fans, this movie is a must-see; it looks like the last movie he will ever make, by the looks of it.
For one, its a long movie. Well over 3 hours on the clock, but seems like the end of all time on the theater seat.
Secondly, the heroine - Shriya. Wow! Looks great in every frame; even in some of the most outlandishly-shot song sequences. Probably the best reason to watch this movie.
Then the ambience. Probably a multiplex is not the best place to experience a Rajni movie. I was the only person to let out catcalls and whistles through the whole movie. Sad, but true. Multiplex-goers suck ! Having their hands full of nachos, popcorn, bottled water doesnt help either.
The storyline? Formula Shankar-fare. Protagonist is a man of integrity, gets frustrated of the corrupt system and takes the law into his own hands. Nothing new. The humour is good; Rajni has always been good at that part, and his sidekick-Vivek does a good job. So much for the substance. The form? Like Janice ( of F*R*I*E*N*D*S fame ) says, O...My...Gaaawd... Mr Shankar seems to think that saying "Cool" at the end of every sentence is cool. I dont know what to say. Also, there is substantial skin show, but discreetly done only in the song sequences. In the other scenes, the heroine is the typical Bharatiya naari. A great balancing act between Rajni's clean family entertainment, and the current trends. Bravo Mr Shankar, u got that one right !
Finally to the man himself... The BOSS ( which incidentally stands for Bachelor of Social Service ). Well, the Boss is in pretty bad shape. At 58, he can hardly move his hips. Every scene requiring some physical exertion appears to be excruciating to the Boss. I cant help but compare him to his older peer, Amitabh Bachchan, who at 65(I think?) is acting in half the Hindi movies made and shaking his leg with Gusto on screen and in award shows. The Boss looks to be badly in need of serious medical attention.
Overall, it was a mediocre experience salvaged only by some bits of good comedy and Shriya's presence. But, for all Rajni fans, this movie is a must-see; it looks like the last movie he will ever make, by the looks of it.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Are you tone-deaf ? (November 11, 2006)
http://jakemandell.com/2006/test-your-musical-skills-in-6-minutes
Not sure if it is scientifically accurate, but good fun anyways...
Not sure if it is scientifically accurate, but good fun anyways...
Sheep in the Big City - The Trailer (October 29, 2006)
Absolutely mind blowing.
Sheep in the Big City Promo
I am convinced that the smartest minds on the planet are either making cartoons or promos for cartoon shows. :-)
Sheep in the Big City Promo
I am convinced that the smartest minds on the planet are either making cartoons or promos for cartoon shows. :-)
The "Spirit of Mumbai" (October 25, 2006)
I have been wanting to say something about this much-abused phrase for a while now, but never did, just like the townsfolk in the Emperor's New Clothes
Here's someone who says it better.
I couldnt agree with him more. I dont understand how a cultivated indifference to human life and decency can be celebrated as a virtue. And what exactly does "Spirit of Mumbai" mean anyway? That Mumbai is no place to live for humans?
My personal experience of Mumbai left the following images in my mind - squalor, gross inequities among human beings and indifference towards fellow citizens.
Coming from Bangalore ( the older version, pre-software era ), the indifference that Mumbaikars show towards others, came as a rude shock. Many times during my stay there, apparent tourists actually approached me for directions or help, after attempts to get help from locals proved futile. The reaction of some of the locals to a stranger approaching them was as if he/she were made of glass ! They just stared straight ahead and went on with their lives.
I actually discussed this with a couple of staunch Mumbaikar colleagues of mine @ Motorola sometime back, and I got the honest answer. Mumbai Junta come back to work the next day after a calamity because they dont have a choice. Its a ruthless city, and every day is a struggle for existence.
These opinions were kinda validated a few months back, when Shobhaa De voiced similar sentiments in her column in the TOI.
My sister works as a doctor in Mumbai and she was saying that the people are finally getting pissed off with the Netas pushing serious infrastructure issues under the carpet while lauding the "Spirit of Mumbai"
Maybe the way to making Mumbai a more humane city lies in exorcising the "spirit" of Mumbai for good. To hell with spirits; give the humans a chance.
Here's someone who says it better.
I couldnt agree with him more. I dont understand how a cultivated indifference to human life and decency can be celebrated as a virtue. And what exactly does "Spirit of Mumbai" mean anyway? That Mumbai is no place to live for humans?
My personal experience of Mumbai left the following images in my mind - squalor, gross inequities among human beings and indifference towards fellow citizens.
Coming from Bangalore ( the older version, pre-software era ), the indifference that Mumbaikars show towards others, came as a rude shock. Many times during my stay there, apparent tourists actually approached me for directions or help, after attempts to get help from locals proved futile. The reaction of some of the locals to a stranger approaching them was as if he/she were made of glass ! They just stared straight ahead and went on with their lives.
I actually discussed this with a couple of staunch Mumbaikar colleagues of mine @ Motorola sometime back, and I got the honest answer. Mumbai Junta come back to work the next day after a calamity because they dont have a choice. Its a ruthless city, and every day is a struggle for existence.
These opinions were kinda validated a few months back, when Shobhaa De voiced similar sentiments in her column in the TOI.
My sister works as a doctor in Mumbai and she was saying that the people are finally getting pissed off with the Netas pushing serious infrastructure issues under the carpet while lauding the "Spirit of Mumbai"
Maybe the way to making Mumbai a more humane city lies in exorcising the "spirit" of Mumbai for good. To hell with spirits; give the humans a chance.
Bangalore traffic ( September 25, 2006 )
Here's what my good friend, Mr Gyaan-guru has to say about Bangalore traffic and how to cope with it.
http://gyaan-guru.blogspot.com/2006/09/driving-in-bangalore.html
Dude, what can I say.... When life mistreats and harasses a poet, the angst comes out as poetry.
Replace life with traffic and poetry with bloggery(sic) and there you have it.
http://gyaan-guru.blogspot.com/2006/09/driving-in-bangalore.html
Dude, what can I say.... When life mistreats and harasses a poet, the angst comes out as poetry.
Replace life with traffic and poetry with bloggery(sic) and there you have it.
Journalism falls down a deep hole ( July 26, 2006 )
Indian media seems to be in a dizzying downward spiral.
First, there is this article in the Times Of India, an example of what happens when you term googling for data as investigative journalism.
And now, reaching the nadir is a 48 hr Live Telecast of a kid falling down a hole, not on one, but all the major news channels in the nation.
One might make concessions for TOI's gaffe, given its positioning as a timepass newspaper, but actually telecasting live, an unfortunate kid's misery ( with commercial breaks, of course ) is atrocious, I think.
To an extent, I believe that the channels are playing to the galleries here. I mean, would all the channels give so much footage to this event if the producers did not believe that there is an audience lapping this up ? I dont think so...
I was arguing about this with a colleague, and he thinks that it is just a case of poor taste from the channel's side. He believes that the channels can actually shape and "improve" audience taste by feeding us with a healthy diet of wholesome content.
I tend to disagree. I feel that, unless you are the clear leader in the domain, you cannot afford to take such commercial risks and try out new stuff. When the competition is hot and the gap is small, the natural judgement call one makes, is to "play it safe". The risk just does not justify the rewards. So, in this case, when a few of the News Channels started primetime coverage of this item, the others ( especially the new ones which are still building their reputations ) had no choice but to follow suit.
I hope I am wrong, otherwise we might be seeing more breaking news of the same genre, maybe one of Laloo's buffaloes got lost, and the search is telecast live ?
First, there is this article in the Times Of India, an example of what happens when you term googling for data as investigative journalism.
And now, reaching the nadir is a 48 hr Live Telecast of a kid falling down a hole, not on one, but all the major news channels in the nation.
One might make concessions for TOI's gaffe, given its positioning as a timepass newspaper, but actually telecasting live, an unfortunate kid's misery ( with commercial breaks, of course ) is atrocious, I think.
To an extent, I believe that the channels are playing to the galleries here. I mean, would all the channels give so much footage to this event if the producers did not believe that there is an audience lapping this up ? I dont think so...
I was arguing about this with a colleague, and he thinks that it is just a case of poor taste from the channel's side. He believes that the channels can actually shape and "improve" audience taste by feeding us with a healthy diet of wholesome content.
I tend to disagree. I feel that, unless you are the clear leader in the domain, you cannot afford to take such commercial risks and try out new stuff. When the competition is hot and the gap is small, the natural judgement call one makes, is to "play it safe". The risk just does not justify the rewards. So, in this case, when a few of the News Channels started primetime coverage of this item, the others ( especially the new ones which are still building their reputations ) had no choice but to follow suit.
I hope I am wrong, otherwise we might be seeing more breaking news of the same genre, maybe one of Laloo's buffaloes got lost, and the search is telecast live ?
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