It has become quiet a habit now – watch movies between internals. There were days, when I used to mark the dates on the calendar and count the number of days remaining. Atleast, I had fear then. Now…

About the movie…

I had watched Ramesh’s previous 2 movies as director. As an actor, I had liked the versatility in him. Since I was not “impressed” with his first 2 movies (I enjoyed, though), I had no expectations. The only thing I knew was this was a suspense thriller kinda movie. In the first 15 minutes you’ll get introduced to the theme of the story – an accident, or is it?

Our hero, Ramesh is an RJ. His wife, Rekha is a school teacher. She is killed in the ‘car – train collision’. Ramesh suspects this to be a murder. She had involvements in social activities, which he thinks has led to the murder. He, along with his friends, hunt for clues. That’s all I will say. What’s the point in me telling you the story of a suspense movie!

There are a couple of songs, I felt absurd. Songs in movies – I feel – remind us that everything happening can’t be true. This movie specially, although they were OK, I didn’t enjoy. The cast, which included Rekha, Pooja Gandhi, Mohan, and Thilak, had no depth in their character. The RJs, played a “blink and you miss” part in the movie. Nothing special with the direction. The story was OK for a suspense movie. Of course, there were domains where you could say, “Hey, that’s bogus”. Especially the last quarter of the movie, you get to say this quiet a few times.

Despite these, the movie is quiet an entertainer. You’ll be at your seats for the 2 hours of the movie. The movie belongs entirely to Ramesh. He is very natural, as always. Thanks to him again, he has not given anyone a bigger role as none of them are able to don bigger characters. On the whole, the movie is worth the money you spend. You won’t be coming back feeling “I want my money back”. I’m giving this a modest 3 stars out of 5.

One thing I want to clarify. Although I haven't watched the old "Accident", from what I have heard, this has nothing to do the old one.

My Rating: * * * for 5

The week that was...

From Sunday to Sunday, perhaps it was the most eventful week ever. What more could I ask? It all stated on 30^th march. Dad had been telling about the “Chitte Park” in Bannerghatta. Chitte? There are lots of them in our college, I was thinking of telling him. I had to be alive to write this blog, so I didn’t dare.

Mom’s cousin, Manu too was enthusiastic about this picnic thing. And on 30^th, we filled our vehicle’s tank full of fuel and started off… It had been a while since I had visited, so, it was refreshing. With my little cousin, Navya, it was still refreshing. I have visited Bannerghatta 5 times now. It has become a tradition now that whenever I go there, it rains. Oh man, this time, it lashed out hard. We had shelter, and had rest for about an hour.

Tuesday came… That was the day we went to our college with...er… our uniforms. There was a mini photo session, with all the mobiles clicking everywhere in class. The class was on fire – literally. We were like, baked in an Owen. But, most of them looked descent. After all, we are professional engineers in the making…

As the week progressed, the class strength kept coming down – like a negative exponential slope. By Saturday, we were roughly only 25 in class. It happened so, that I had bunked the previous day, but present on Saturday. One subject’s internal blue book was yet to be corrected. The lecturer came on Saturday and announced that those present that day would be getting the full marks. Wow… this was too good to be happening, I thought. But the lucky fairy was in our court. There had been a change in lecturer and the new one had too little time left to do all these correction stuff. Poor girls, they never seem to bunk classes, they were absent that day! So, here is my word of advice – especially to the girls - attend classes regularly, like me (I will be beaten for that, I can sense that!)

Was that it? Wait. Again, Sunday came, it was another picnic. This time around, it was huge. Nearly 40 from my mom’s family came together. We had to get a mini bus booked for us. It was a trip to “Karighatta” - a place near Srirangapattana. With all my cousins together, place didn’t matter. We had the last seats of the bus for us. You know how it could be. Believe me, it was much noisier. We all dived into the river in the afternoon, although we were not supposed to. Then on, the elders visited the “Nimishamba” temple. What we did? We caught all those who had money to get us something to eat or drink.

Well, after all this, it was Ugadi on Monday! What better week could I ask for?

Here are a couple of links... Do check them out.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bharaths9688/BannerghattaPicnic?authkey=Wp-hkshRGO8

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/bharaths9688/1stDayInUniform?authkey=zY2v0W91fi0

http://picasaweb.google.com/ksuhasu/BigFamilyTrip

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/bharaths9688/SrirangapattanaTrip?authkey=afdcv3dzx-c

And now, the week that will be…

I’m waking up myself after this great week to face my internals. This semester, I’ve been fooling around. Don’t know how I will manage this internals, because there is a truck-load to study. Now, for all those of you reading my blog, I request you to pray for me. That’s probably the only way I could pass this test.

Uniform... what do you remember?

When was the last time you wore a uniform? In 10^th or 12^th, right? I am asked to wear now. How odd. I’m old for school and to be an MBA student. Its summer at its peak now, imagine walking 2kms wearing a full shirt, tie and a blazer (Yes, I do walk to college). Above all this, I have to sit from 9 to 4 listening to some stuff you know that you won’t understand. This is the biggest punishment I’ve ever received.

Last time I was in uniform was in my school – Navodaya. Those were the days, when I used to wash my clothes myself. So, wearing uniforms was a relief – you had fewer clothes to wash. For most part of the day, we would be in our uniforms. Those pants… they were treasure troves. What not did they contain! Tumblers always occupied one part. There were Aishwarya’s photos cut from the library newspapers. Papers, geometry boxes… you ask for it, you get it. We had study hours too. The only way I could get through it was from ‘timepass kadlekai’. How did I bring them? Pockets! Of course, there were tennis balls; we used to sneak past our PE teacher. Cricket was banned, but still we played. There were guys you used to study all the time. They carried text books. Kannada and Hindi text books were so small… they fitted in. You would say “yuk” when I tell you that we washed these once in a week. But, such was our condition. My school was in the heart of Western Ghats. You wound not call that rain. It would take the whole week to dry with the incessant downpour.

This is what I retrieve when I see the new uniform hanging in my wardrobe. I don’t know how I would be now. Anyway, I need not wash my clothes myself anymore. It would be done with a press of a button. So, don’t worry.

A watchable hindi action movie at last....

What do you need to have an action movie, which could entertain? I’ve always hated to watch Hindi action flicks. The only exception was Dhoom. The sequel was baaad… Usually; they tend to be far-fetched from reality. I had similar thoughts about “Race.” From the trailers, I was quiet certain, this would be no different.

The cast was great, Saif, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Katrina, Bipasha and Sameera. Saif and Akshaye are brothers with great property to share between them. Katrina is Saif’s PA. Bipasha is his girlfriend. Or so it seems… That’s where this movie becomes quiet watchable. Every time you think this will happen, it won’t. First half is quiet good, but you don’t get to see Anil and Sameera. It’s all Akshaye’s show. But, in the second half, it’s Anil. He’s quiet funny, with Sameera – who plays a dumb assistant to him.

There is no story, but I guess the writer was payed for the twists he has written. Pritam has done a good job for the music. Most of the filming is done in South Africa. Locations are great. Titled “Race”, there outta be a race right? There is one, and its quiet good.

The acting part, Akshaye, Anil are good. Saif’s dialogues are catchy. The heroines don’t know acting, so they are not to be blamed I think. Katrina looks awesome, as usual. Sameera really needs to re-consider her career…

The conclusion: Its quiet good. Not great. Watch it once, for the twists and turns.

My Rating: * * 3/4 for 5

I am (3/8)th of an engineer now…!

Finally, 3rd semester results are out, and know what, I PASSED. I got 76.8%

Many would say that's not enough, but I'm really really happy to pass (and the FCD was a bonus)

Movies...Reviews...

Finished my 1^st of the 3 internals this week. My classmates are very studious – they bunk classes days before the internals and study. What would I do bunking classes? Study and I never go hand in hand. I had nothing to do but watch a couple of movies. Here are their reviews.

First of all, I am no critic. I see the positives of the film and appreciate them. So, most of the time, I end up getting bad remarks for my reviews. So my warning – read somewhere again (how foolish to write that, right!)

Enchanted

Probably, it hasn’t released in India yet. Downloaded it and watched.

I really like “fairy-tale” movies. So, obviously, I liked this one too…
It’s a story of a maid who is supposed to marry a prince. She is pushed into our world from her fairy land by the wicked prince’s step mother. She gets help from a divorce lawyer who is divorced (call it professionalism or what-ever). The prince comes searching for her. Soon the queen’s lover and then the queen herself follow. As all fairy tales, this too has a “happily ever after” ending. And know what, there were songs (!)

Its one of those movies which you can sit through and enjoy. It’s a feel good movie and I would give it 4 stars on 5.

My rating: * * * * for 5

Sweeney Todd

It was recently released. But who would give 200 bucks for just a movie! I downloaded this too...

Let me tell you, I am a great fan of Johnny Depp. He’s probably the most talented of the actors now. Coming to the movie, I had read many reviews and had known this would be a “bloody” movie (don’t get me wrong there, I meant a movie with lot of blood)

The genre of this movie was revenge. The movie is set in London in the 1800s. Depp was a barber and lived a happy life. He had a beautiful wife and a child. The wicked judge deports Depp on false charges to Australia to marry Depp’s wife. Depp returns to have his revenge. He gets the help of his old owner and sets up a new salon. He turns that to a graveyard for his enemies.

It’s a 'dark' movie. Watch it if you are a Depp fan. He is awesome – as usual. The other characters are also good. But there is a lot of blood, watch it at your own risk.

My rating: * * * ½ for 5

Namaste London

Watched it on Sony yesterday. I guess most of you have seen it. Once again, I am a fan of Akshay. And movies with actresses like Katrina; do you really need a story? But, this had a ‘different’ story – but not great.

Katrina is a spoilt brat living in London. Her dad is an Indian and like most NRI’s, he too, loves to have his daughter married off to an Indian. Katrina has plans for her; she dates a rich English guy. Her dad marries her to Akshay. She isn’t ready to accept him as her husband. Akshay stays in London and tries to win her, and the story goes on…

The main reason for this movie to be among the top grosser for the last year was because of its casting. Everyone was perfect for their roles. For those who haven't seen it, give it a shot.

My rating: * * * for 5

Women's Day.....(?)

March 8, and what do I remember – women’s day. OK, I agree I didn’t remember that. When is 'men’s day' I ask. Mom, the only defender on ‘women related’ issues in our house shot back, “all days other than today are yours”. Good reply right?

We have so many “days” declared, we have ‘Kannada rajyothsava”, “environment day”, “science day” and so many others (I have written only what I celebrate, that’s why you can’t find valentine’s day there). But why do we dedicate? The first answer I get – women have not been fairly treated and they deserve to be empowered. How can a dedicated day do the job?

It’s just the same every time. You celebrate Kannada rajyothsava and forget Kannada the following day. Again, tomorrow would be the same, a bunch of good looking women pass by, you see someone whistling. It’s the perspective that needs to be changed. Only then, I feel, women would really be empowered. Unless we change, no reservations or any NGO's could bring about any improvements.

In my opinion, there should be a men’s day instead. In that way, it would be enlightening for men that he is overpowering his counterpart. Like what Munnabhai did to Boman (I’ve forgotten his name in that movie) – Gandhigiri.

While I finish, here is a quote from Louise Otto for women,

“The history of all times, and of today especially, teaches that ... women will be forgotten if they forget to think about themselves.”

Om Namah Shivaaya

It has been more than a couple of days since I launched this blog and had started to wonder ‘what next?’ For a seasonal writer like me, finding topics are such a hurdle. Thanks to Shivarathri.

Wish you all a very happy Shivarathri.

As all festivals do have stories associated with them, Shivarathri too had a story – the day Shiva married Parvathi. That was all I had knew till today. I hadn’t ever wondered why we fast. I asked a few but didn’t get the answer. Since most of us don’t know (no one in my family knew!), I thought of sharing…

Well, here is the reason why. There was a hunter – Suswara - who had shot a deer and was returning from jungle. It was getting dark and he couldn’t make it to his village back. He got on top of a tree (bilwapatre) and tried to sleep. He couldn’t. His wife and children were starving back home – this pained the hunter. He cried the whole night. Since his family would be starving, he too didn’t eat anything. To pass time, he kept plucking the leaves. He then returned the next day. He sold the deer he had hunted and got food for his family. When he was about to have his part, a sanyasi happened to cross his house. There was nothing at home to offer – he gave his meal.

The day he had starved was Shivarathri. Incidentally there was a Shiva Linga beneath the tree and his tears had washed it. As a reward of unconscious worship of lord Shiva, he was sent to heaven after death. He was then reborn as king Chitrabhanu. The leaves he plucked were bilwapatre – now you know why we use them.

The intro...

The main reason for me to begin blogging was the recent trip (a trek perhaps) with my friends. It was probably for the first time ever, that I enjoyed a trip to the brim with friends. I badly wanted to say what I felt. But would someone listen? So, there was this blog…

This trip was with my college friends: Akhil, Bharath, Chandan, Naveen and Shiva Kumar. Check out the link for the photos once you read the report. I would be very grateful if you could leave any comments.

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/bharaths9688/KumaraParvataTrek?authkey=s8Gs2N0eh_Y

From left to right: Shivakumar, Akhil, Chandan, Bharath, Naveen and Me

A trip to the trekker's paradise - Kumara Parvata

It was somewhere in January, I and Akhil had a brief discussion about what we should be doing and what we were missing. We had completed 3 of the 8 semesters. College was fun, but we needed something different to know what “fun” really was other than bunking classes or going to movies (which we hardly did) I thought this was just another discussion which would have no consequences. But, how wrong was I!

4^th semester begun and we found the names of the subjects difficult to remember, leave alone the contents. We buddies – me, Akhil, Chandan, Bharath and Shiva – decided we need to go on a holiday, but where? After some research, we zeroed in on Kumara Parvata – probably one of the most difficult places to trek in the whole of Karnataka. Right place for us – challenging enough (or so we thought). We were only 5 initially, so, we asked Bharath (we are 3 of named Bharath) and Naveen. Bharath turned down and Naveen joined us. Ours was a very very tight budget trip. After we extended our trip to 4 days (we included Madikeri too) our budget rocketed to around Rs. 2000 per person. Rs. 2000 to any of us was way too much, but everyone managed to convince their families. This was just the beginning of what would be a trip to be cherished for a long time.

As earlier mentioned, we were on a tight budget – we booked tickets in an ordinary “Karnataka Sarige”. Journey to Subramanya was a mini trek in itself – thanks to the roads so well maintained!
For most of the journey, me, Akhil and Shiva talked and wondered how the trip would be. The other 3 slept like logs. Once in Subramanya, we had our breakfast and decided to skip bath so that we could start early. From all the blogs I had read, from all the people I had contacted, I was told that the “Bhattara Mane” was at the exact centre of Subramanya and the peak of “Kumara Parvata”. There was yet another landmark – “The Mantapa”. This was in between the Bhattara mane and the peak.
With most of the luggage kept in the cloak room in Subramanya, we had one shoulder bag on our backs with water bottles and maggige packets making rounds with everyone. With initial zeal, we set off and entered the thick western ghat forests. We were quiet fast and covered a lot of ground. But our enthusiasm was short lived. After a couple of hours of trekking, we were slowly realizing that the Bhattara mane was not easily accessible as we had assumed. We climbed, slipped, jumped, took rest and the centre was nowhere to be seen. At about 10, we rested to have chapattis I and Bharath had brought with us. Maggige was such a relief – and you know the value of a 3 rupees maggige packet. After 2 ½ long hours of trekking, we were out of the dense jungle. Another hour of “walking on stones”, we reached our 1^st destination. We were sweating profusely. Lunch was at Bhattara mane. Anything offered to eat felt refreshing. Trekking is the best place for guys who fret and complain what they eat is not good. This was where we realized that 5 Kms, what they say from Subramanya is not the distance – it is the displacement. The radial distance from Subramanya is 5 Kms, but we walk a whole lot more. I had read some blog where he mentioned it would be 27 Kms to the peak. This was slowly turning out to be true. For the next one hour, what we did was just walk. It seemed easy, save for the scorching heat of the sun. Later on, there was some steep climbing. Loose rocks added to our woes. Our next destiny was the Mantapa. As we walked, we could see a peak with a flag waving atop. But Mantapa was nowhere to be seen. Undeterred, we kept on climbing. At last, we reached there by 3 and the peak was not too far. So, we decided to rest for a while. We ate a bit and started again at 4. A rude shock awaited us. We reached the peak only to find that the peak on which we were standing was just an intermediate hill. Kumara Parvata was right in front of us. It was already 5 and we had left our baggages at the Mantapa. It seemed impossible to get them and climb again. So, we decided to halt at the Mantapa itself. It was a feeling of being let down. But nevertheless, it was our 1^st trek, getting to the top of the intermediate peak (called “Battada Raashi”) was an achievement in itself. The view from there was breathtaking. The guy who wrote “Aakasha Ishte Yaakideyo…..” should have a look from here. It was so magnificent. We were ecstatic – and this was worth for all the classes we bunked, for all the pain we took to reach here, it was a feeling to be cherished.

After watching the sunset, we came back to the Mantapa. We were supposed to get the twigs for the camp fire from near the spring. Water was depleted too. 3 of us, Chandan, Naveen and Shiva volunteered to get them. Thanks to the advancement in technology, we were able to talk through our phones. This may be the only place in Karnataka where you could Spice and Vodafone with no Airtel connection. While the 3 returned, Akhil got a call and at the same instant, Shiva heard something. He thought it was a cheetah. Chandan and Naveen were terrified. Shiva couldn’t stand on his legs. All 3 were petrified. Me, Bharath and Akhil laughed, but matter didn’t settle. Shiva slowly convinced everyone that there was something there. Now, it was Bharath and Akhil’s turn to shiver. I, having read a whole lot of blogs, was pretty sure that there would be no animals. All of us slept by 9.30. But at around 11.30, I and Bharath woke up. There were sounds of elephant’s trumpets. Suddenly, there were fireworks. If the cheetah experience was not enough, we had to witness this too…

Day 2
It was our journey back to the 1^st pit stop – Bhattara mane. The descent was not as tiring as the ascent. We reached the house before our assumed time of 10.30. We had “Uppittu” and too bath. We came to know that there was a direct bus to Madikeri at 2.30. Since it was our next terminus, we rushed back and our descent was quiet quick. We managed to reach Subramanya by 12.50. Paid a visit to the temple. Bharath and Akhil rushed to have a bath. Once Akhil finished, we decided to have lunch in the temple. With Akhil and Bharath left behind, we had our stomach’s full. In the next “pankthi”, the other 2 had their prasada later on. By 2.30, we were rushing towards the main bus stand for our direct bus to Madikeri. Fortunately, the bus was waiting for our arrival. For guys having trekked for 2 whole days, there were no seats to sit. We were seated only in Sullia, which was half way to Madikeri. All slept save for me and Shiva. Once in Madikeri, we headed to the Raja Seat straight away. Watched the sun set and relaxed a bit.
It was all very nostalgic; it had been 10 years that I had seen Madikeri.
After visiting the Omkareshwara Temple, (my favorite of all the temples I’ve visited so far) we headed to Kushalanagar. This is where we were supposed to camp for the 2^nd day. Courtesy Prateek (another friend of ours, who couldn't make it), we could get a good room to relax.

Day 3
Having booked a taxi, we had 5 places planned to visit for the day. First being Dubare, we reached there by 10 which was quiet late. “Dubari” more suited the place as everything was way too costly. A normal elephant ride would cost us 100 bucks. We decided against and took off. Next was the Golden Temple. It was just awesome. Words really fall short; you need to have a look personally. There were foreigners everywhere. (No, I’m not talking about the Tibetans) There was this one particular girl – drop dead gorgeous. Where ever she went, everyone followed. It was already time and we had to return to the vehicle. Having purchased a few souvenirs, we went to the Harangi Reservoir. Following the increase in terrorist activities, entry was restricted. Our next stop was at the Kaveri Nisargadhama. Boating and elephant rides were for about 20 minutes. Nothing in Nisargadhama had changed. Relaxed here till evening and then headed to a resort called “Veer Bhoomi”. There was a cultural program – not anything extraordinary

Day 4

We started off at 9, climbed the Brahmagiri hill at Talakaveri. After seeing the temple, we went to Bhagamandala. Shiva and Akhil got a rock of the shape of a “Shiva Linga”. I too joined them got it installed it in the central part of the river, in front of the Nandi – which was facing the river. Any first time goer would definitely get confused for a real Shiva Linga. The whole episode was great fun.

After Bhagamandala, it was Abbey where we stopped. On our way back, we made friends with a foreigner couple who wanted to get back to Madikeri. We offered them a lift and they hopped in. Talked with them – Julien and Violaine - till Madikeri. Once again, we came to the Omkareshwara temple after seeing the Gadduge. This was our final stop and we settled our monetary affairs here. We were all set to get back to Bangalore. It was scarier to just imagine attending classes there at that point.

We were the best of friends in class – and we still are. It was worth for us to bunk 3 days of college and enjoy. We have no qualms of bunking – after all, we are doing our engineering and what best can engineering students do!!!

Here I am, at last

Well, for all those who hate to see their inbox with unread messages, I'm here to add to your worries. Watch this space... Bharath has started to blog!
Having friends and cousins who write so well, I had never imagined that a day would come that I will be penning my thoughts for everyone to read. Engineering is such a great course to study - you do everything but study.
I hope to write my views here, with your support - and your support would not go waste, I'll be constantly be at your back pestering with my rather irrelevant posts.
Once again I welcome you all to my world of imagery.