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After fast, party |
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Drought money
Rewinding
Arab Spring hits Palestinians
Moti’s unconditional love
CINEMA: NEW Releases
Mythological masala
Let’s Go…the heat is on!
High recall value
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After fast, party Team Anna has finally decided to form a political party. It seems to have realised, rather belatedly, that frequent fasts don’t yield the desired results. A group of distinguished citizens had called upon the fasting Anna Hazare supporters to “focus their energies on creating an alternative political force that is democratic, accountable, ethical and non-violent”. Last April when Anna Hazare and his team of well-meaning, largely non-political activists launched the anti-corruption movement, the response from urban, middle-class India was tremendous since corruption evokes strong emotions. Over the period the movement, which did not strike a similar sympathetic chord in rural India, has seen popular support sagging. The reasons may vary from Team Anna’s inflexibility on the Lokpal issue, self-righteousness, frequent change of goal-posts to the levelling of graft charges against, among others, the Prime Minister, who is cited as a model of honesty. After running down the whole political class, Team Anna’s move to embrace politics may get approval from strong supporters, may amuse some and disillusion and distance others. It is one thing to organise agitations, move people with speeches and score brownie points in TV debates, and quite another to build an organisational structure, win public confidence and fight panchayat, civic, assembly and parliamentary elections. They are aware of the role of money power, people voting on the basis of caste, religion, region, etc, and underhand tactics being used and deals struck for winning elections. Fasts are far easier than fighting Naxalism or handling Kashmir or Assam. For many Indians, corruption is not as big an issue as shelter, drinking water, healthcare, education and work. There are contradictions in Anna’s movement managers. They speak in different voices on different issues. They are united in attacking the Congress for corruption but silent on graft in BJP-ruled Karnataka. Baba Ramdev has pro-BJP leanings and his sole concern is black money. The challenges are immense. The political establishment’s failure to curb systemic corruption weighs on public mind and fuels social unrest. It is good that instead of attacking democratic institutions from outside, Team Anna hopes to cleanse them from within.
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Drought money
The
Punjab government has demanded Rs 2,380 crore from the Centre as aid for drought relief. This is very good politics. If the money comes, it’s good for everyone; if it doesn’t, still good for the SAD-BJP alliance, which can blame the Congress at the Centre for neglecting the state. Why would one suspect the sincerity of a government seeking help for drought-stricken farmers? Flashback 2009-10: It was the worst drought in three decades. The state government received Rs 800 crore as relief, but it showed no inclination to part with any money for the farmers, claiming it had paid extra for the electricity. After protracted agitations, it agreed to distribute Rs 300 crore among farmers, but finally paid only Rs 150 crore. A look at the latest demand is thus called for. The state wants Rs 550 crore for the diesel to irrigate the paddy. After a verification of the calculations for this, the money should indeed be paid, though directly to farmers as bonus on the MSP. The other demand is Rs 1,530 crore for the extra power bought by the state. Punjab, against all counsel, has been insisting on free power for the farmers, and in seeking compensation on this account it is asking the Centre to be party to the policy. The third component is Rs 300 crore for submersible pumps for deep tubewells. Is the state going to support deeper exploitation of the already desperately low groundwater, and push the future generations to the brink! The Chief Minister’s statement has mentioned ‘sacrifice’ by farmers for a national cause. He would do well to refrain from such melodrama, and instead come up with credible mathematics to build a solid case. And the case is that the Centre in its need to secure food grain supply, has turned a blind eye to the damage from growing paddy in a state where it is not natural. The cost of water — which once gone will be gone for all crops, not just paddy — is not being paid to the state in any form. Compensating for this is a moral responsibility of the Centre.
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Rewinding
Films
record the cultural history of a given period. In this context, they constitute a precious part of our heritage. Unlike our tangible heritage of buildings and forts, which can withstand vagaries of time, films are fragile entities. Their decay sets in within decades. Especially films of the bygone era, shot on celluloid, are prone to decay. As such, the relevance of film heritage came to be understood rather late in India. Producers did not keep original negatives or prints with them. As old studios got dismantled, thousands of film prints were lost to scrap dealers for lack of storage facility. It was a single man’s endeavour, who took upon himself the responsibility to collect, buy and borrow old film prints from wherever he could. In the absence of any institutional support, he paid for the prints from his own pocket. This is how P K Nair created the National Film Archives of India ( NFAI), and collected about 2500 old film prints. Today, with greater awareness about our film heritage, three bodies affiliated to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting — the Films Division, the National Film Development Corporation and NFAI — are busy digitising and restoring the collection of films with sizable funds allocated to them by the government. Yet, when a director of the repute of M S Sathyu decided to release “Garam Hava” in theatres, he had to borrow money from friends and cinema lovers to restore the classic. It cost him over Rs 1 crore, whereas the government allocates about Rs 15 lakh for the restoration of a film. Two things ail film restoration in India: the money allocated by the government is insufficient, and not a single institute is equipped to offer specialisation in film restoration. Particularly for sound restoration, films are sent to the US or Europe. The decay of our precious heritage sites is a matter of national shame. Hopefully, the same story will not be repeated in terms of restoring our film heritage. To achieve this, instead of leaving the task to bureaucrats, the government should select dedicated cinema lovers to carry out the restoration of our classics.
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Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away. — Arthur Helps
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Arab Spring hits Palestinians One
of the great losers in the Arab Spring that has buffeted West Asia are not merely the dictators who have bitten dust but also the Palestinians. Israelis are routinely building more and more settlements, annexing more Palestinian land, pushing in more settlers there and Jerusalem is being increasingly integrated – and nobody says anything. The United States, the main supporter, protector and sugar daddy of Israel, has given up even making pro forma noises in this election season and its two contenders for the presidency are wooing the influential Jewish vote. Years ago, former US President Jimmy Carter wrote a book to describe Israel as an apartheid state. He has proved prophetic because the second class citizenship of Israeli Arabs is a known phenomenon, but a considerable new population of Palestinians living on the occupied territories is being added to the former category while the rest of the world prattles on about a two-state solution because the United States, in thrall to Israelis for a variety of reasons, will not let anyone else mediate while such self-serving men as Tony Blair and a so-called contact group maintain the fiction of servicing a process that is far from peace. The Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud
Barak, has just given a certificate to President Barack Obama as having brought in the closest military collaboration between the two countries. And his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, has couched his undying support for Israel in Jerusalem by casting it in racist terms, evoking a protest from the Palestinian Authority. But who cares? The revolutionaries are busy with their revolutions. Syria is on fire, with neighbours weighing in in their separate ways and outside powers pushing in their aid consignments of many shapes and forms. But if the world believes that Palestinians will simply fade away, living as lesser mortals in their own land and within the pre-1967 borders, in itself an extended version of the original plan for the nation of Israel, it would be in for a shock. Whatever Yasser Arafat’s other weaknesses, he gave his people the invaluable gift of the sense and sensation of nationhood, whether he was poisoned or not is immaterial. And Israel will not be able to digest the occupied territories and their inhabitants and sit pretty and contented. Sober Israeli voices have been raised now and before suggesting the consequences of Israel’s present policies, that the democracy that functions for Israelis will be hostage to their continuing colonial rule, that Arabs will outnumber Israelis in Greater Israel, that only by practising the modern version of apartheid would the state continue its existence. But these are essentially lonely voices and the majority of Israelis are content to sit on occupied land, rule over Palestinians and give them Bantustans if necessary and be the new South African
whites. Mr Carter succeeded in achieving the Camp David accords because the Israelis got what they wanted by sacrificing a little in the form of the Sinai Peninsula and made promises for the future of Palestinians they broke with alacrity. And Jewish Americans through their money power and forming the largest contingent of senior officials dealing with the Middle East over the decades have such a vice-like grip on US policy-making for the region that American presidents, whatever their affiliations, are prisoners of Tel Aviv. President Obama reformed quickly after he burned his fingers. Is there then any hope for the Palestinians? The world is preoccupied with the bigger picture, with battles now raging in Syria. Yet anyone who has visited Palestine and knows Palestinians will understand that though they might have been sidelined for the moment by other events in the region, they would never give up on their right to freedom and a state of their own. Israel and its patron saint, the US, are merely storing up trouble for themselves for the future. At the root of the problem lies the legitimacy of the Greater Israel state, for we are no longer living in the heyday of colonialism with serfdom a valid concept for powerful nations, including the United States. Kurds, spread over several states, including Turkey, Syria and Iraq (in the last they are acting like a semi-independent entity), are reasserting themselves, much to the chagrin of Ankara whose present rulers are one with their military predecessors in emphasising the unitary concept of Turkish nationhood. And Palestinians, the most dynamic people, together with Israelis, in the region, will never give up their right to be free. Not only has Israel appropriated Palestinian land but is also sitting on the Syrian Golan Heights. A future dispensation in Syria will have its own questions to ask Israel. After the dust settles on the revolutions under way, Palestinians will be unlikely to be fended off with a new American initiative that promises a process but no peace and no freedom. Washington will not let anyone less mediate in the crisis. What then can be a solution? More and more Palestinians are veering towards a radical solution and will likely tie up with the Islamist movements gathering steam elsewhere in the region. Israel has the fire power, the support of the most powerful nation and nuclear arms to flatten the opposition. In the end, mere power does not bring peace and stability although Israelis have learned to live dangerously. There must arrive a point when the price of suppression far outweighs the benefits of enforcing an apartheid regime. It is a truism to say that we live in an inter-connected world, but the force of new technology and the power of social media do not permit any regime to be an island unto itself. The days of apartheid are over. If dictators are toppling in a region supposedly immune from such aberrations, there cannot be the crowning of a new apartheid state. The question that remains to be answered is how long it will take for Israel and its protector to realise this truth and at what cost to Palestinians, Israelis and the peoples of the region and the
world.
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Moti’s unconditional love Recently, I read a book, "Three Generations and Two Dogs" by Gotham Chopra, which speaks of the unconditional love, devotion and compassion that dogs have for their masters. It is hard to find these qualities in human relationships which are invariably conditional. Gotham tells us that a dog’s devotion is not grounded in expectations of reciprocity or paranoia about who loves whom more. Can we humans also develop such traits of unconditional love and devotion? A few months back, on a summer morning during our morning walk, my wife and I saw a young black dog being hounded by a bunch of street dogs. The dog, slightly limping, started walking by our side, assuming that he was safe with us. Something about him reached out to us and as we entered the house, my wife, who is actually not a pet lover, coaxed him to move inside the house. He was lean and skinny, with jet black shining hair. He seemed to be the product of a pedigreed male and stray female. We named him Moti, after the common name of the friendly street dogs one usually found in Bollywood movies of the sixties and seventies. In no time, his innocence and playful attitude won all of us over. He was a good companion for my aged mother at home. Unlike many stray dogs, he was not the kind to make a mess indoors. Right from day one, he would go out of the house on nature’s call, much to our relief. With the passage of time, Moti, turned out to be a responsible watch dog. He was not leashed as we wanted him to enjoy his natural freedom. However, he seemed to have some pet peeves and would bark ferociously at a few select persons visiting our home. They showed their reservations in visiting us. We were also scared imagining what would happen if he really bites somebody. In addition, his favourite pastime was inimical to the garden, which was my new-found hobby: he would dig up flower beds and uproot my floral plants. The early flush of affection for Moti soon waned in the face of these unpleasant realities and forced us to abandon him. Although painful, on June 17, I coaxed him into the car for one-way journey. The moment he sat in the car, his sixth sense smelt that something was not right. He was restless and moaned throughout the drive. With a heavy heart, I dropped him near an eating joint located behind a lake, which is almost 10 kilometres from our house. I had heard many stories of dogs returning to their master’s home after a long period, but was quite sure that Moti’s return was not feasible as I intentionally took a zig-zag route so as to make it impossible for Moti to track his way back. To my utter surprise, however, one fine morning, about a month later, Moti was discovered sitting in our backyard. Seeing me, he ran up to me and rolled at my feet. His emaciated body indicated how he had spent his days and nights away from us. We wondered how he had traced his backward journey. I was the guilty one who had sent Moti away, but he did not hold any grudge against me. Although I had punished him and sent him away, he continued to hover around me with utmost devotion and in a non-judgmental manner. He had the same level of love and affection for all of us as he had before. Finding no explanation for the attachment, we decided to simply accept it and treat Moti as a member of the family and take care of him. I wonder if there is an unexplained connection between our separate lives? Some previous life, perhaps? Or has he come to teach us a lesson on unconditional love and loyalty? We shall never know! Perhaps, Gotham Chopra would have an
answer.
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CINEMA: NEW Releases
No more than skintillating
Film jism 2 Perhaps, since it’s a woman Pooja Bhatt who sits in the chair of the director, the film’s hot scenes are aesthetically picturised with enough skin show in tow. Sunny as Izna looks beautiful. And those who expect her to be only a jism, well with suitable voiceover offering full support, she can emote too. Indeed, we have enough of Sunny’s lovely legs, not to miss the plunging cleavage. But despite her bare dare buxom look, there is nothing in the film which is offensive to one’s sensibilities. Alas, that’s the only plus thing in the movie whose story line is brittle as well as confusing. Characters are sketchy and one fails to relate to or sympathise with them. So much so that though the movie revolves around Randeep Hooda (as Kabeer), he is far from impressive. His trademark expressions and long drawls and strange dialogues add no new dimension to his role. Blame it on the shortcomings of the script that has far too many loose ends. For here is a narrative whose fill in the blanks are filled up by strange philosophising. Tepid at best. With the basic premise resting on thin ground —woman as a bait to ensnare a dreaded criminal — the storyline treads no fresh path. The direction is slack and even two hours 10 minutes weigh heavy. There are far too many loopholes. What made Izna get into the business of flesh trade and what transformed Kabeer into an outlaw… all this and much more remain a Rubik’s cube which even the director writer can’t seem to put back together. Music is invariably a highpoint of Bhatt films and herein too songs are lilting. Overall Jism 2 is much hype about little substance. It’s neither a heart-warming love story nor an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Statutory warning: Those looking for cheap thrills will be disappointed and those anticipating a thrilling drama will be doubly so.
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Mythological masala
Film Krishna Aur Kans A publisher based in Mumbai comes up with a theory that you just can’t ignore — the 3D animated release Krishna Aur Kans is Krishna’s answer to Sunny Leone’s erotic thriller! We leave the Bhatt camp to answer this one, but the movie sure answers every kid’s prayer. Directed by Vikram Veturi, Krishna Aur Kans, the animated movie, has a battery of actors - Om Puri (Kans), Juhi Chawla (Yashoda), Manoj Bajpai - lending their voices to the characters. The story falls in line the way we have heard it. Krishna is born as the answer to the brutalities of King Kans, who torments his kingdom. Krishna grows as a naughty prankster who is finally invited by Kans for a decisive duel and this is where we see the good ruling over evil. Even when the story has been part of our growing up process, it is the animation and the treatment that draws our attention. The movie has pace and movement that will keep the kids engaged. It is, however, Om Puri’s voice that brings the character alive. Krishna is naughty, jumping around with pranks, always cuddled and reprimanded by Yashoda. As long as you don’t get into the technicalities of animation, which is an average job, you are bound to like the Krishna’s scenes with the gopis and his terrific blows as well as punches. Bringing a tale alive through animation and 3D effects is nice, but it just gets a little too much for the kids when they hear the music tracks by Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal and Sonu Nigam, and the heavy-duty dialogues.
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Let’s Go…the heat is on!
Film Step Up Revolution 3D Rich
girl meet poor boy. They fall in love. So it’s one of the oldest plots in cinema. So it is their exploits that form the body of the fourth Step Up films, Step Up Revolution aka Step Up 4: Maimi Heat and it is produced by Jon M. Chu who directed the third film. Delight for the young but also big fun for the golden oldies who’ll be reminded of Russ Tamblyn and his acrobatics in Robert Wise’s West Side Story of the 1950s. Our hero is Sean (Ryan Gussman), leader of The Mob, a group of poor youngsters who have lived all their lives in the seedy side of the city. But when real estate king Bill Anderson (Peter Gallaghar) has plans to change all this with a new landmark, it’s panic stations for the motley dancers. It is a major conflict, though the theme sounds familiar. The music which begins with a catchy number Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go… is set to change from performance art to protest art, whatever that means. Hence, there is some dilly-dallying to give the film its necessary body before we get to the climax, Anderson’s big opening with the Mayor et al. Here’s when the dancers do their thing. It is non-violent, almost Gandhian, and the sheer charm with which they win over their protagonists. The rest is the usual Hollywood formula. Keep your thinking faculties at home and you’re sure to enjoy this dance extravaganza. Cinematographer Karstein Gopinath of Indian origin is the owner of Lotus
Filmworks, Los Angeles.
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High recall value
Film Total Recall This
Total Recall is a remake of the 1990 box-office hit which went to Mars and had Arnie Schwarzenegger in the lead role. This one is earth-bound but post-Doomsday or World War III and has Colin Farrell in the lead, surely an improvement. Here the warring nations are the United Federation of Britain (UFB) and The Colony, also known as Euromania and New Shanghai. But even more confused is our hero Doug Quaid (Colin Farrell) who is largely troubled by dreams .His wife Lori (Kate Beckinsale) tries her best to soothe him but in vain. Doug then goes to “Rekal,” a devious company owned by Vilos Cohoggen (Bryan Cranston) and undergoes a memory implant which soon brings him in touch with Melina (Jessica Beil). Not surprisingly a love triangle ensues. But the film’s best selling point is the futuristic set. The vehicles which glide in and out of the frame have to be seen to be believed. The cities are otherworldly and the action almost unbelievable. It surely scales new heights. If only the plot was stronger ? But confusion is sprinkled like mustard and director Len Wiseman has his viewers in a bind right through. For variety, there’s a woman with three breasts (only a fleeting glance, however) and other cameos to keep the futuristic (2084) fires burning. Colin Farrell is excellent in the lead role and manages to keep his enthusiasm going despite a plethora of setbacks and he is ably supported by the talented Kate Beckinsale and the competent Jessica Beil. The others like Bryan Cranston and Bill Nighy are merely academic. But Total Recall (2012) is well worth seeing as remakes are rarely better than the parent film.
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Saturday
August 4
Golmaal Returns ZEE CINEMA STAR MOVIES HBO STAR PLUS SAHARA ONE STAR GOLD Sunday August 5
Housefull 2 ZEE CINEMA STAR MOVIES HBO STAR PLUS STAR GOLD FILMY
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The local is Miami with its towering skyscrapers and pine trees. “So you have to be heard,” goes an opening line which is their excuse not only to be heard but also seen with all kinds of street dances, running, jumping, doing the splits and even somersaulting. But, it’s a good excuse.
Obsessed with day-time TV soaps, Ekta Santoshi starts suspecting her husband, Gopal, of having an affair with an unknown woman. Not satisfied with his explanations, she decides to investigate, setting off a chain of hilarious events. These involve her dumb brother/hair-stylist, Lucky; her sister-in-law, Esha, who loves ACP Madhav Singh Ghai; two individuals both named Anthony Gonsalves; amongst many others that result in a hapless Gopal's arrest for the homicide of his co-worker, Subodh Mehra.
Housefull 2 is a comedy film directed by Sajid Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. It is stars Akshay Kumar, Asin Thottumkal,Jacqueline Fernandez, John Abraham in the lead roles, whilst Ritesh Deshmukh,Zarine Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Shazahn Padamsee, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty and Boman Irani play supporting roles.The music is composed by Sajid-Wajid. The film is said to be inspired from the 2003 Tamil film Banda Paramasivam.