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7KM

Huge PC fan that I am and an admirer of the genius called Vishal Bharadwaj it isn't surprising I caught the first day first show of 7 Khoon Maaf. So take what I saw with a pinch of salt, because its hard for anyone to be objective when you are a fan follower.

For one, I loved the unique storyline. A female protagonist with a strong female oriented storyline doesn't usually get a lot of takers in Bollywood. Combine that with Vishal Bharadwaj's unique take on Indian cinema; much like Kaminey or Omkara, this one's different. For the second time in less than 3 months, I find another Bollywood director who goes for the unusual(the earlier one was Dhobi Ghat) and how! I think the one failing is due to the amount of time spent developing the many husbands and their character flaws and eventually their deaths, Vishal is left with very little time and opportunity to really explain and establish Priyanka's character. Or perhaps he left it to his intelligent audience to figure it out themselves. Either which way, I think the critics are going to complain about that point while I choose to give Vishal the benefit of doubt. Perhaps it is not so hard to really understand why she chooses to rid herself of this interminable pain called marriage to the weirdos she seems to get stuck with. There are those that bear the pain and live it out, there are some that choose to end it, albeit in a shocking manner.

That said, 7KM's music is not upto the usual Vishal fare. 'Darling' and 'Bekaraan' are probably better than the rest, but usually Vishal Bharadwaj's music is his trademark style and each song is usually a winner. Not so in this case.

All in all, I loved the movie. It was a unique experience and the surprise quotient was Vivaan Shah's role and his portrayal of it. There's another gem in the making, not surprisingly so for being Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah's son. I loved the ending, which has been kept under the covers and I will keep it that way too. Perhaps that makes for a good reason to watch the movie. Of all her husbands(Neil Nitin Mukesh, John Abraham, Irrfan Khan, Aleksandr Dyachenko, Annu Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah) I think the Irrfan Khan one was the most well developed and executed story.

PC has gained weight and aged throughout the movie and so has Vivaan(for being in his early twenties) and I would be surprised if she doesn't get some recognition for this role from critics and perhaps even from the masses. Either way, this might just be the push she needed for her career to soar.

Oh and no review of this movie can be complete without mention of the subtle background of India's political scene that exists in every frame in the movie. Be it Babri Masjid riots or India's nuclear tests- its all woven so simplistically that one could almost miss it. But that's SO Vishal...to not put his political views in your face, but show that he has an opinion and he cares, albeit through brilliantly subtle references.

Of longing and belonging

Having recently returned from a quick trip to India for Seren's wedding, I would be lying if I said I wasn't homesick. And while the wedding went off well, the entire week was way too hectic and tiring for all of us. But the one silver lining was meeting family and friends after a very long time. The comfort of seeing familiar faces and the joy of catching up, probably at some level, makes up for those aching feet that have been running around for so many days.

As the immigration officer scanned my passport, he asked how long I was gone and what I had brought back. Pat came my answer - 'Memories, tons of them'. I still hang on to that warmth from my aunt's hug as she fondly whispered in my ears 'I only wish the best for you'. While she lovingly invited me for her son's wedding I couldn't help but recall those days when she herself came to our family as a new bride, having married my chitappa. I was probably around 9 or 10 years old then and I remember vividly the mehndi on her hands and the salwar she excitedly changed into as she got ready to play hop-scotch with me.

This trip I was engulfed with an overwhelming sense of belonging. Of having come home, despite being away for so many years, to people's welcoming arms just as though I had never left their side and I still remain that little girl they all know so well and recognize.

But the irony of it all is that as I went to lunch with my co-workers this afternoon to catch up on the latest office gossip and update them of my trip and the wedding- I felt the same sense of belonging- only different. As good as it felt going home, it felt just as good to joke and break bread with people I have grown so comfortable with over the years, despite the culture gap.

Today, its an unusual warm day here in Virginia. Temperatures peaked at 60 deg and everyone is jubilant at this break in weather. Its amazing how a week of warm weather during winter months can be cause for celebration. And as we picked a window booth and ordered our customary food and drink- conversation was casual, jovial and warmly inviting. I felt I was home all over again.

A stone a day- Stone #19(last)

And thus we come to the end
Each day a small effort to seek anew
A beautiful moment etched in stone
To make a pathway, strong and sinew

PS : Regular programming will continue shortly.

A stone a day- Stone #18

Stone for today is a peek-a-boo picture our trip to Chozha kingdom this past December- we stayed at this resort in Kumbakonam built in Chettinad style and true to the style, Athangudi tiles just could not be left out.

PS : A more detailed trip report toh banta hai! When normal programming begins...

A stone a day- Stone #17

As foot muscles flex and toes stretch
The warmth of lotion follows
A cool splash of water
And then 'A Oui bit of red'
Adds just the right dash of color

PS : I think its just unfair a pedicure has to be doused in socks and boots through winter months!

A stone a day- Stone #16

I sit in silence, plowing through my day job
As thunder-snow becomes a rare guest
Two squirrels merrily chase around on the deck
A burst of visual delight at times of house-arrest