Colors: Final Part

                                         DAY 1

Time 4 past 30

Radha sat with her head down and tears were rolling down her eyes. A bunch of rupees were beside her. A man was wearing his clothes and hurried towards the main door.  She didn’t look up. Her head was down and droplets of tears were falling down heavily on the bed that had stories to tell, stories that were bad dreams to those who listened to it.

Thousand needles pierced her body and she felt the nightmare of child hood came to haunt her again. Her eyes cried for the little soul sleeping at the other room, a kid who was dreaming about the lie that had inspired him. Her eyes cried for her lost child hood. Nightmares of being a victim of child trafficking flashed in front of her. She was a prey to the male dominant society, succumbed to the sexual addiction of bunch of men. She stood up and looked herself in the mirror. She glared at the illusion that over powered her yet she had to live alongside the illusion.

Time passed as she kept looking at her in the mirror. But, it’s the life she was used to. It’s the hell she was living with. She went to the other room and saw her little kid sleeping. Her sorrows were being washed away by the sleeping innocent kid on the bed. She felt the warmth and walked up to him and kissed him.

Time 8 past 30

“Aadhi! It’s time kiddo, what ya doing? Have you got ready?” shouted Radha.

“Ya ma! Almost”, replied Aadhi.

“Aadhi, it’s time! School Van is gonna arrive anytime.”

Little Aadhi ran towards his mother and said, “I’m done.”

She fed him and helped him with his bag and walked alongside him on the way out. They waited for the School Van’s arrival. After few minutes, the van has arrived.

Radha Kneeled beside Aadhi and kissed and he kissed her cheeks and said, “love you Ma!”

The little kid walked towards the Van. Suddenly he stopped and turned towards his mother questioningly. He said, “Ma! You didn’t tell me Da’s name.”

“His name is Aadhitya” she said with a little smile at the corner of her lips.

The Radha looked at the proud face of the little kid. He turned back and walked towards the Van. He entered the Van and turned to see his mother who was standing there watching her only hope of life waving hands. She waved back and stood there till the Van left the place. Her hopes were getting stronger and a will to live this life were getting stronger. She walked back towards her home and her shadow followed her.

Colours:part 5

Night 5

Aadhi, 5 year old kid with round face, pointed nose and beautiful eyes, Radha’s only hope of her crestfallen life, sat near his mother who looked dejected and expressionless. Aadhi cuddled his mother and asked her, “what happened ma?”

Silence was the only reply from her. He asked again and again, finally he said, “if you are not gonna tell me, I’m not gonna speak with you.” he turned his face the other way.

“Really?” she tweaked her face.

“Really? Are you not gonna talk to me?” she turned his head towards her face.

“Yes, I’m not” replied the little kid.

She pressed his pointed nose with her fingers and said, “So my little doll is not gonna talk to me, okay, sorry please! Ma will not be sad hereafter, is that okay? My sincere apologies”

“I said I’m sorry, okay, okay; tell me baby how was the school today? Did it go well” Radha continued to pacify her son.

“yeahhh!” grinned the little Aadhi and continued, “Today, teacher kissed me on the cheek and said that I’m cute.”

“Is it? Doesn’t she know that on the first day?” replied Radha playfully.

“No, but today she asked a rhyme. Everyone was silent. I stood up and sang it you know, everyone clapped and the teacher came to me and kissed me here” he pressed his forefinger on his cheek.

“Really? That’s cool, I’m proud of you! What else has happened at school?” asked Radha.

He thought for a moment and replied, “ ma, Hmmm...mmm Madhi asked about da, I mean, where is he, what is he doing, why didn’t he come to drop me at school”

“What did you reply?”

“I don’t know what to reply; I told her that I would ask my mom and reply her tomorrow” replied the little kid with frustration.

“Hmmm”, Radha took a deep breath and said, “So, you want to know the whereabouts of Da?”

Aadhi nodded his head and held his mother’s arm very close to his chest. He looked upon her and pleaded, “can you tell me where is he?”

Radha cleared her throat and said, “He is with God now, he is no more.”

The sky came crashing down on Aadhi. He sobbed over his father’s death, with tears in his eyes, he cried, “How did he die?”

“He was shot by the bad people at the border in an intense battle” replied Radha while wiping the tears of her son. “Hey champ, he didn’t die for nothing, he saved the life of four of his fellow soldiers, and he is a patriot champ! be proud of your Da!” said Radha with pride in his voice and patted him on the back.

Aadhi mourned over his father’s heroic death. He cried and cried. Radha inched closer to him and embraced him and said, “It’s ok, it’s ok, be proud that he died for good, be proud that he saved lives.”

Radha consoled him and prepared him for bed. Little Aadhi cried and finally slept on his mom. After few minutes, she got a call. She reluctantly attended it and said, “Ok.” Her eyes were in tears after the call. She looked at her son who was deep in sleep and walked towards the main door where another life awaited her. A life she never chose to live.

Colors: Part 4

                                                              Night 4

Radha was applying lotion on the bruises she had on her cheeks. Little Aadhi was watching it curiously and he was on immense pain. He had tears in his eyes and asked his mother “does it pain a lot?”

She saw the tears and wiped it. She patted his cheek and said, “little kiddo, you don’t have to cry now. See, mom is fine now. Mom is laughing now” she beamed.

“Are you ok?” said Aadhi wiping the tears on his cheek.

“I’m good you little doll. I’m good. See I’m speaking now. It’s the stairs i can’t handle it. I’m often being pushed down by this stairs” said with the mischievous eyes.

Aadhi replied, ”Idiotic stairs, wait! I’ll hit it with a stick so that it would know pain.”

Radha laughed and pulled him back to her arms and lifted him. She asked him, “Aadhi, it’s ok kiddo. I’m fine. Forgive the stairs. Let me ask you something. What you wanna become when you grow up?”

Aadhi replied immediately, “I want to become me mom. I don’t want to be someone else.”

The answer was spot on and even startled his mom. She looked stunned and cried in pride. She stammered and said, “I’m proud of you!”

Aadhi didn’t know the reason for his mother’s tears and he gave a bewildered look on her mother. He asked, “Why are you crying? Is it paining? I told you right. Let me go and hit the stairs. Put me down.”

Radha replied,”I’m fine son. Hitting someone as a revenge doesn’t gonna earn you anything. You just lose, instead, forgive them. They will kneel and ask for your forgiveness someday.”

Aadhi nodded his head and jumped out of his mom’s arms and stood in front of her. “Ma! You know, today, I told about Da to my friends including Madhi. They looked at me in awe and they didn’t speak a word. They said that my dad was really a hero. I’m proud of Da Ma. They just wanna hear more about Da.”

“Oh oh. Dad’s story has created quite a buzz among your friends I presume?” asked Radha questioningly.

“Ya! And everyone knows my name in the class. It’s just the fourth day! Also can you tell something different about Da?” said Aadhi with excitement.

“Well, someone is being importance by Madhi I presume?” She asked playfully.

Aadhi rejoined, “ Nah! Now tell me please.. Please.”

“Ok..Ok.. I’ll tell you.” She cleared her throat and began her story.

“It was new year’s eve. My birthday falls on December 31. It was my first birthday with your Da. My expectations sky-rocketed and I was in suspense and sat on the couch waiting for your Da’s arrival. I was angry with him because he hasn’t arrived till afternoon. He came in but I didn’t speak with him. Not a word Aadhi. I sat in complete silence. A girl’s greatest treasure is getting the first wish from your better half with a surprise. But, I haven’t got anything. Not even a flower.”

Aadhi replied, “So sad!”

““Yup. It was. He came in and sat next to me. I didn’t wanna see him so I turned my gaze towards the window. He touched my hand but I refused it and let go of his hand immediately. He said, “Dear! What is the reason for your anger?”

I said, “Reason?? Are you asking for a reason? Come on don’t act. Leave me alone.”

He said,” Oh dear! I really don’t know why you are mad at me?”

“I am?? Oh yeah! I am mad at you. Leave it. Just don’t talk to me now”

“Ok. Come on! Get ready. We are going out” said your Da with his hands on my shoulder.

“Out?? Where are we going?”

“Don’t ask questions. You have 5 minutes. Get ready. Your time starts now” he said that and left the place

I sat on the bike behind him. It was a pleasant ride. We drove, drove and drove. I asked him, “ Can’t you tell me where are we going?”

He didn’t speak a word. The bike came to a halt near a house and he told me to get down. I got down and followed him. He walked up to the home and turned towards me. I walked near to him. All of a sudden he covered my eyes with his hands. He directed me inside the home and opened my eyes. Some 30 kids shouted “Happy birthday Aunty!”. It was awesome to see all the kids with candles and all the kids kissed me. They sang song and I cut the cake and gave the first bite to my dear. I came to know, it’s the home your dad grew up and it’s an orphanage. We spent the day at the orphanage and ate with the kids. Your dad said, “Life isn’t hard Radha, it’s in our belief. These kids have faith in themselves like me. You know, they are all abandoned by their parents yet these little kids believed themselves and living as a one family. I’m proud to be a part of the family. Till date, a part of my salary is being sent to this home. It’s little I can do.” He kissed me on the cheek in front of the kids and they cheered us in chorus. My face went pink in shy. Your dad was a great man Aadhi. He was an inspiration to all that budding talents at the orphanage and no wonder he chose to be an army man. He was a captain serving the Indian army and I’m proud of him.”

Little Aadhi was blown away and sat looking at his mom, admiring her without uttering a word.

Radha said, “Kiddo, it’s time. Let’s sleep.”

Aadhi lie on the bed and looked at the ceiling. He slept as time went on. After few minutes, his mom woke up and left the door ajar and went towards the main door.

Colors: Part 3

                                                   Night 3

Time 8 past 45

It was a usual night where all the neighbourhoods’ bed time stories began. Chattering sound was heard at Radha’s house. Little Aadhi was laughing over her mother’s act.

Aadhi twisted his little face and asked his mother, “You know what happened today?”

Radha rejoined,” oh oh! What happened?”

“I repeated da’s adventures to my friends at school and to Madhi”

Radha shrunk her eyebrows and mouth and said, “I suppose, Madhi Falls under friends category, doesn’t she my little doll?”

Aadhi grinned, “yeahhh! She asked more about da ma!”

“Oh oh! Someone has got a girl friend. Yeah oh yeah,” She playfully said and hugged the little Aadhi.

Aadhi rejoined, “She is not my girl friend, she is my friend. I guess some one has got things wrong here.”

“Oh oh! My little five years old knows the difference between a friend and a girl friend.” She closed one of her eyes and said,” Something is wrong!” She laughed.

Aadhi replied, “ma! Please, tell about Da.”

Radha cleared her throat as little Aadhi sat curiously on the bed.

“It was a cold night and pitch dark as well. For a moment I thought I was in north eastern part of our country. Unbearable cold on a December night, your Da and I was walking with my head on his shoulders as his hand was covering me. A little walk I could remember for years. It was a night after our marriage and I was carrying you in my womb. I heard a man shouting “Help! Somebody please help me””

Aadhi Interrupted, “Ma! What is mean by a womb?”

Radha replied, “It is a small bag inside my stomach.”

Aadhi,” what was I doing there?”

Radha chuckled,” Only heavens knew it kiddo! You weren’t born at that time as you were inside that bag. ”

Radha asked, “oh God. Aadhi do not interrupt, see, I forgot where I stopped the story.”

Little Aadhi replied, “You heard a man shouting “Help!””

Radha Rejoined, “Ok Ok. Got it! Startled by the sudden sound, your Da and I turned towards the way from which the sound travelled. We saw a group of men beating an older man and they were trying to steal from him. But, the old man held his bag as tight as he could. They started to beat him harder. Blood was oozing outta his head. Your Da started running towards the man. I shouted, “No! Don’t go!” It’s too late. Your dad pushed the man who was holding the old man. He punched him on his face. A big blow, the man lost his balance and fell on the ground. I stood there paralyzed when I saw a fat man held your dad. But, your dad was a hard man to beat. He pushed the fat man with is back and forced him towards a flickering lamp post. It hit the fat man’s head and he fell unconscious. Then he speared the other one with his bulk shoulder. He fought hard and won the fight at last. When I thought everything was ok, the fat man who was hit by a lamp post stabbed your Da on his back. I shouted out of fear and ran towards your Da but as I told you earlier, your Da was a hard man to beat. He plucked the knife outta his shoulder and stabbed the Fat man’s leg. He fell on the ground. I went near him, “Oh Dear! What have you done?”

Your Da said, “I’m ok. I’m alright. That idiot doesn’t have guts to fight me. So, he stabbed me at the back.”

I cried, “But dear..why? why did you fight? It’s not our business.”

“Business? If it wasn’t meant to be my business, I would have abandoned you on that rainy night. Radha, this life is worth fighting for. “The happiest people I have known have been those who gave themselves no concern about their own souls, but did their uttermost to mitigate the miseries of others.” I have trust in those words.”  Your Da bending his back as I was holding him said these words.

"First time I realized that your Da was not a human; he was more than a human. I thanked God for giving me a precious life with a precious man. I sensed Godliness when I touched him. I helped the old man with his credentials. He thanked your dad and blessed him."

Aadhi with his awestruck face said, “ Da was an wonderful man, wasn’t he?”

“Yup. No doubt on that. He was kind too” Rejoined Radha.

“When I grow up, I want to become like Da!”

Radha kissed her son’s forehead and lied next to him. Aadhi said, “Ma! I’m proud of my Da!”

Radha rubbed his shoulder and said, “I’m too! Now sleep! It’s time and you have to wake up tomorrow so that you can tell the adventures to your friend Madhi!”

Aadhi rejoined,” and also to my other friends as well. You forgot that.”

“Ok sir. Now time. Could you please close your blue eyes?”

“As you wish” said Aadhi and closed his eyes.

Radha switched off the light and patted her little son. After sometime, she woke up and walked towards the main door as usual.

The Dark Knight Rises-Truly an epic

Movie Name: The dark knight rises

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Christian Bale, Tom hardy, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Old Man, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Marion Cotillard and Anne Hatheway.

The Dark knight Rises, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the final flick Dark knight legend where Marion Cotillard played the role of Miranda Tate , Tom Hardy played the role of The bane and Joseph Gordon Levit played the role of John Blake, the police officer and Anne Hatheway Aka Selina Kyle.

The movie begins 8 years after the death of Harvey Dent. After taking fall for Harvey Dent’s crime, Batman Aka Bruce Wayne intervenes again only to be overwhelmed by Bane, despite his tarnished reputation. Bane Terrorizes Gotham and brings it to the peril. Can Batman save Gotham? Can he be the unfathomable symbol of Hope? Rest tell the story ends with an epic conclusion only to look at ourselves in the mirror struck by a thunder.

I’m writing this review with the shattered brain pieces. I’m one among the millions who sit in the home awestruck after watching the way the movie concluded and the way, it was moulded, all to the end, you could only shout out of excitement and rain applauses. The movie starts slowly yet strongly. Everyone fit in their roles pretty well. Tom hardy with that masked accent, terrifying and the way he was revealed, picture perfect! Christian Bale, pain, pain, pain, it’s all about pain and desperation, have shown it quite adorably in TDKR. Coming to his weight loss, come on, I have to ask him how he loses weight and gains it pretty quickly as he had done it in the past.

Anne Hathway, as Selina Kyle, wonderfully crafted role and looks fit and sexy. Joseph Gordon Levitt, my favourite one in the new infusion of characters.  After all this casts, kudos to Christopher Nolan, I don’t have any more words to praise him. After seeing the movie, I remember Christopher Nolan’s quote on acting “The best actors instinctively feel out what the other actors need, and they just accommodate it.” It’s truly a phenomenal script with phenomenal camera work and visual effects. Too late to mention Hans Zimmer, his music rules the movie and the Bane’s background score, it will just blow you away.

         Before writing this review, I was writing the casts, I did a blunder by writing the character names instead of actors who played the role. Such was the attraction and painful too as it is the last flick of Batman Trilogy.

Great movie, which could take you to the edge of your seat but think about one thing, it’s Gotham. You are in Gotham.

If you know the climax, please do not tell anyone. Let them enjoy it in the theatres. Because, it’s worth waiting for! Isn’t it?

Verdict: I don’t have a word. I’m still in awe with dislocated brain. Awesome! Super Awesome! Going to have bag full!

Colors

                                                      Night 2

Time 9 O‘clock,

            Aaditya jumped on his mother and she ecstatically hugged him. She held him tightly and gave a kiss on his cheek. He grinned and said, “Ma! I told them what you have said yesterday. You know what; they started asking me more about my dad. Now, it’s your turn, you promised me yesterday that you’d tell more about dad. Please.” The little kid pleaded.

           Radha replied, “Okay okay Okay. Here we go! Are you excited my little baby?”

           Aaditya rejoined, “Yeahh!”

           Radha narrated, “It was winter and your mom, which means, I was walking on a deserted road at night. It was a dark night like the one you see in horror movies and it was a haunting night as well. It was windy and about to rain as well. Fear gripped me as four persons were following me and I started to walk faster but they gained on me. Two grabbed my hand.”

           Aaditya interrupted, “what did the other two do?”

Radha sternly replied, “kiddo! don’t interrupt or else I will forget the story. Stay silent and lend your ears to me. The other two grabbed my legs and they tried to kidnap me. It started to rain. I shouted in the rain but no one heard it. I shouted, “God please help mee”.

           Aaditya interrupted, “then what happened? Did anybody come for your rescue?”

Radha playfully replied, “That’s it. I told ya not to interrupt. You defied it. I will not continue. Bed time son!”

          Aaditya pleaded, “Ma! Ma! Please ma. My cute ma! Please, please. I will not interrupt. It’s a promise”

          Radha rejoined, “Apology accepted. Where did I stop?” She stopped for a moment and continued, “Okay. I shouted. All of a sudden, a fist thrashed a cheek with fury. The person who was holding my hand fell on the floor. The man with fiery red eyes landed another blow to the other person. The other two ran away. I saw him you know! God, the lightning revealed his face. That’s the moment I saw your father. I fell in love with him immediately.” Radha imitated the actions she was narrating and her kid listened to it without blinking his eyes.

          Unable to resist his curiosity Aadhi said, “What happened after that?”

Radha replied, “He helped me and we had dinner at a place. Finally he dropped me at my home.”

         “That was a quite a fight ma you know! Dishyum Dishyum. It was like Spider man saving Mary jane. Da was a hero really. ” The little kid imitated his mother’s action and grasped his mother’s hand. Time passed as they both were chattering and the little kid slept on her side. Radha slowly got rid of her son as soon as someone knocked the door.

Colors

                                                     Night 1

Time 8 past 45,

        Radha, in her early 20’s, asked her 5 year old son, “so, how was your day kiddo? “

       Aaditya replied, “Not bad, got new friends, we played. Over all nice day except that my friend’s dad” he frowned his face “came there to pick up his kid. Ma! Where is dad? Tell him to drop me at school.” The innocent little kid pleaded his mother. His eyes almost in tears 

      Radha shrunk her eyebrows and closed one of her eyes and asked him, “Someone has got a new friend“She tickled him “yeah, yeah! Yeah!”

     The little kid laughed and they both played on their bed.

     Aaditya sighed, “Ma! Shall I ask you one thing?”

     Radha Rejoined, “tell me kiddo! What is it?”

     “Today Madhi asked me about dad.”

     “Madhi?” She questioningly asked him “who is Madhi?” She snapped her eyes once and playfully said,”girl friend huh?”

      Aaditya continued without giving much importance to his mother’s words. He said, “She asked me where my dad is? Is he here or in foreign? I don’t know how to answer her. I just remained there confused. I replied her that I’d tell her tomorrow.” He gave a puzzled look at his mother.

      Radha delicately said, ”Oh dear! Tomorrow tell your friends that your dad was an adventurous man. He was a hero. You know? I just can’t find words to express his adventures. Tell your friends. Are you fine now?”

     The curious 5 year old was enigmatic and wanted to know more about his father. He asked his mother, “ma! Please ma! Tell me more about him.”

     Radha rubbed his cheek and said, “Curious case of Mr.Aaditya huh? You are one curious kiddo.   Okay. Here is the deal, my little sweet heart is gonna sleep now and Tomorrow, his ma will tell the adventurous ride of his dad. Is that ok champ?”

      Aaditya shook his head negatively and said, “Okay. What if they ask me about his adventures? How will I reply them?”

      “I’ll tell his adventures one by one, one per day. They would be okay with that. Don’t worry”

      “Not okay. At least tell me what he was doing”

      “Well, your dad was a patriot. He served at Indian Army”

      “What is he doing now?”

      “Not fair. This is not fair. I told you that I would tell you tomorrow.” She looked down at her son and rubbed his head “One adventure per day.” She kissed his cheek and the little kid hugged her mother saying, " I love you ma!"

      "I love you too"

     Satisfied and Excited about the day, Aaditya started to count the time and his mother patted on his belly as the conversation looked down the end. He slept on the bed hugging her mother. Time was 10 past 15. Someone knocked the door. Radha looked at her son, kissed his forehead, slowly got rid of him and walked towards the door.

The Amazing Spiderman-A convincing reboot

Film Name: The Amazing Spider Man

Directed by: Mark Webb

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma stone, Rhys Ifans

        Marvel’s The Amazing Spider Man, a reboot of spider-man legacy directed by Mark Webb. Andrew Garfield Played the role of Peter parker/Spider-Man. Emma Stone played the love interest of Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy. Rhys Ifans played the role of Dr.Curt Connors/The Lizard. Martin Sheen, Sally Field and Irfan Khan portrayed as Uncle Ben, Aunt May and Dr.Rajit Ratha respectively.

Peter Parker, a high school student finds his father’s old suitcase and discovers that, it includes the greatest breakthrough in the field of Cross Species Genetics. That Suitcase also contains a photograph of Dr.Curt Connors which leads him to his genetics laboratory at Oscorp Corporation. He accidentally enters a room which has rows of genetically modified spiders and gets bitten by it turning him into the spider-man. After the turn of events, he provides his father’s formulae to Dr. Curt Connors, which could lead to the creation of a drug that can make the humans devoid of weakness. Dr. Curt Connors experiments it on his own body which is devoid of right hand. This experiment changes him into a giant lizard. Can Spider-Man Aka Peter Parker stop connors aka The Lizard? Tells the remaining story of Marvel’s The Amazing Spider Man.

            Mark Webb webbed the characters quite beautifully, especially the Spider-Man’s action mixed with Andrew Garfield’s funny dialogues. The Romance scene between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy was handled pretty well, to say, a scene where Peter asks Gwen out was an instant classic and romantic as well. When she says yes, the immediate scene where Peter skates in an abandoned factory with the musical background was quite a treat. Webb carried his “500 days of summer” all the way to the spidey’s web and pictured it with funny dialogues. When the reboot was announced, I shrunk my eyebrow when I heard that Andrew Garfield will be taking the spidey role. To my astonishment, he blent with the character quite beautifully and it’s nice to see him with a same lanky physique unlike Tobey Mcguire’s dramatic six pack. Also that, Peter Parker was portrayed as a normal high school student unlike an innocent as portrayed in the previous trilogy.

Every super hero movie has a strong back ground that could lead the hero to serve the people. The Amazing spider-man stands tall when compared to the previous trilogy and the story is quite convincing and the mixing of scenes are sublime. My Favourite one is, Mark Webb cuts the scene from the scene where Connors’s hand has been erupting with scales to Peter Parker’s plate with a scaly fish. To add it further, Webb perfectly executed the action sequences and handled the romance scenes pretty nicely.

Since the time space between the last spider-man film and The Amazing Spider-Man is little, we get the feeling that we are watching a sequel even though it has been announced as a fresh reboot. Also, it follows the shadow of previous trilogy yet the changes like, sudden surge of Peter Parker as spider man and the way he acquires fame while pursuing his vengeance is picture perfect and theatrical. Webb scores big for the way he has pictured the emotional scenes which adds to his wallet as one more gold coin.

A convincing reboot falls down only because of one reason, too early to introduce a reboot instead of making the fans to long a bit longer.

Verdict: Mark Webb’s Spidey is better and worth watching when compared to Sam’s Spidey.

Promise Fulfilled!

Movie Name: Eastern Promises

Directed by: David Cronenberg

Casts: Naomi Watts, Viggo Martensen, Armin Muller-Tahl

Eastern Promises, a thriller directed by David Cronenberg famed for movies like “The Fly and A History of Violence”. Lead roles are Naomi watts and Viggo Martensen. Movie centred on a Russian mafia in London. Naomi Watts played the role of Anna, an English midwife and Viggo Matensen played the role of Nikolai, a member of the Mafia Gang. Vincent Cassel and Armin Muller-Tahl played the role of son and father respectively, who are the chiefs of the Mafia Family, “Vory V Zakone”. This movie is about a midwife, who finds out the people behind the rapping of a 14 year old kid, who dies in a hospital after delivering the baby where she is working as a midwife.

Tatiana, a fourteen year old Russian kid dies in a hospital at London after delivering a girl baby. Her diary falls in the hands of a Russian descendant midwife, Anna (Naomi Watts), which has clues written in Russian and a visiting card that leads to a Mafia head owned Restaurant. Anna visits the restaurant and meets the head of the Mafia, who promises to translate it for him. Later, Semyon (armin), the mafia chief, finds that the scripts written in the diary bears his son’s name Kirill (Vincent Cassel). In the mean time, Anna’s uncle translates the script written in the diary and comes to know that the kid was rapped. He conveys this translated story to Anna. The turn of events shows that, it’s Semyon(Armin Muller-Tahl)  and his son Kirill who have rapped the kid. After that, they forced her to work as a prostitute in their brothel. Whether Anna succeeds on her pursuit in bringing the accused to the light of judgement? Tells the rest of the story.

This movie has lot of scenes that is restricted to only few. Blood gore in throat slitting and violent scenes makes you to cover your eyes with your hands. The director tried to be more realistic which is appreciable yet it could have been avoided.

There are few scenes which stand out in the movie. They are too good and too perfect.

1. First look of the baby at the birth table, she is covered with blood and she breaths while the doctor is cutting her umbilical cord (I’m not sure it’s graphical).

2. The fight at a swimming pool, where Nikolai (Viggo Martensen) fights as Kirill. It was a nude fight includes violent scene but it is picture perfect realistic.

3. It’s not a scene; it’s the character of Viggo Martensen, who is unpredictable.

   Dialogues and screenplay are awfully slow; I’m not able come to a conclusion on either department. It is due to the reason that, I’m not sure whether it is dialogues that stop the movie’s pace or the screenplay that block’s the dialogues pace? Either way, it doesn’t matter when you have a picture perfect narration in hands.

   Naomi Watts agreed well with the boots of the midwife and played the role quite elegantly. Her care towards Tatiana’s baby and the way she expressed it, truly overwhelming. Viggo Martensen, what more would I say about his acting? Wonderfully drawn character and the way Viggo portrayed it was quite artistic. His conversation with Anna and his emotionless face were truly unfathomable. Kirill (Vincent Cassell) ranted all over the movie, he looked like a jerk than a son of a mafia chief, and such was his acting and sobered throughout the movie. Semyon(Armin Muller-Tahl), quite perfectly played the role and I wasn’t able to put him in the shoes of a rapist.

  Over all, a good movie with good dialogues, with slow screen plays, with better narration. Tatiana’s narration about her life at Russia, truly she won my heart. Tatiana’s Russian accent is still ringing in my ears “My name is Tatiana. My father died in the mines in my village, so he was already buried when he died. We were all buried there. Buried under the soil of Russia. That is why I left, to find a better life. “That sums up the story of a kid from an ill-ridden society.

Verdict: New entrant in my wallet of best talkies!

An Artistic Veil Painted Beautifully!

Movie name: The painted Veil

Directed by: John Curran

Casts: Edward Norton, Naomi Watts

                 The Painted Veil, directed by John Curran and to my surprise, it is produced by Edward Norton and Naomi Watts. A beautiful movie which makes you blend with it and travels like a sad poem which makes u feel a little ,laugh a little and mourn a little. The story dates back to 1925 to the cholera affected China.

               The Painted Veil is all about how the social life of Walter Fane Played by Edward Norton and his unfaithful wife Kitty Fane played by Naomi Watts bring about a change in their private life. Walter Fane is a doctor, falls in love with Kitty Fane. In order to get away from her family, Kitty fane agrees to marry him. Life turns pathetic and not so interesting after the marriage for the female part. One fine evening, she visits a theatre along with Walter to witness the theatrical act under the invitation from Walter’s friend. She meets Charles Townsend and falls in love with him, who is Walter’s friend’s husband. She cheats on Walter and Walter comes to know about it. Walter couldn’t forgive her, but he could live with her under one condition which is, she has to accompany him to the Cholera affected Chinese village (since Walter volunteers to go to Chinese village to help the people suffering from Cholera and find a cure for the same) and she too agrees with him. The turn of events at the Chinese village shows that Walter is a good human being and Kitty loves him. But, Walter still is unable to forgive her. Whether Walter forgave Kitty and did they live together? Tells the remaining story.

      There are four notable characters in this movie. Walter Fane, Kitty Fane, Mr.Waddington(Toby Jones) and Colonel Yu. The reaction when he comes to know that his wife is cheating on him, the humanity in him while helping the Village people even though they disrespect him, Edward Norton glows like a morning sun which doesn’t have a flaw in it. While cheating her husband, her sense of remorse after that, her changeover from the ludicrous city girl to a good human being after seeing the goodness in her husband, Naomi watts could do no wrong. Toby Jones and Colonel Yu perfectly rendered their rolls and John Curran’s direction is picture perfect. The movie quite beautifully shows us, what is humanity? Even though the nuns are helping the Sufferers, Edward Norton’s conversation with Naomi Watts quite clearly isolates the problems in our society right from the past, “They're not just here to run an orphanage, your nuns.”

            “They're turning those children into little Catholics.”

            “None of us are in China without a reason.”

             It’s really a hard fact and spreading your religion to the sufferer in the name of God is really a bitter truth and I vote against it. Edward Norton, being an activist, I presume he might have inducted that dialogue.

               Dialogues and Music plays the main role in this movie. Dialogues are spot on and make you think twice which makes you rewind the scene once again. Music almost took my soul away while watching the movie, especially the opening track. A perfect Veil painted nicely and if you really want to understand what is Humanity then watch this movie. I would rather be a fan of Edward Norton and Naomi Watts not because of their lead roles but as the producers of this kind hearted movie. Artistic and light hearted!

Bye bye Rose bird!

Once there lived a Blue Bird and a Rose bird. They lived in harmony as their life filled with sun shines and rainbows. They loved each other and the limitless love casted jealous upon the fellow birds living under the same tree. They never minded about that. They lived their life to the core. Never a day passed without a warmth look at the sun rise together and sun set together.

Blue Bird rubbed its beak on the feathery neck of the Rose bird and said “I love you!”

Rose bird rubbed its beak on the feathery head of the Blue Bird and said,” I too!”

There was no pain. There was no misery. They lived as a one little family with plenty of love and infinite affection. Even gods were pleased seeing them and showered happiness upon them. One fine day, Blue Bird returned to its nest and shocked seeing the Rose bird lying down. Her eyes were half closed. Crippled with fear and limitless love, it pressed the beak on its feathery body and tried to wake the Rose bird. The lady love of the Blue Bird opened her eyes and saw his love standing there with pain and tears in his eyes.

Rose bird said, “Don’t cry dear! I’m fine and you will go mad if I tell the reason for my unconsciousness.  Dear! Little Green bird is on board.”

Blue Bird replied,” is it? When and who is he/she?”

Rose bird,”idiot! I’m pregnant”

Blue Bird chuckled and said, “Is it so? Who is responsible?”

Rose bird started beating its better half and it too went mad hearing the news. It was a beautiful sun set. The reddish Sun God began to settle down. They sat arm in arm and admired the sun set. They exchanged a beautiful kiss which looked even more beautiful while seeing it along with the settling Sun God. It was a play filled night.  They laughed and laughed throughout the night as the play went on.

Time passed and they lost track of their time as they were busy making love. They enjoyed every moment of their life. Moments added up and became memories. Memories lied deep beneath their heart as a beautiful portrait. One fine day, the Rose bird delivered a cute Green bird. Happy tears rolled down the Blue Bird’s eyes. It had never left the nest and sat near his lady love and the new born. It cared them and did everything he could to save the food for the winter. Every day, both played and were happy seeing the budding young one.

One day the little one stood and tried to walk. It tried again and again. Finally it stood and woke up her mom. The letters assembled and finally formed a word. It called out,”maaa!”

Ecstatic Rose bird covered the little bud with its feathery wings and rubbed its neck like an evening breeze. She exclaimed, “Say it again!”

The young one didn’t seem to understand what its mother was telling but it kept repeating the same word as its mother flapped its wings in excitement. Even the neighbor could hear their little family talks as it got louder and heavier. Once the Blue Bird was home, the enthusiastic and overwhelmed mother narrated the story. It’s a story that every mother would take vanity in them while telling their better half. The family talks were going on till late night and both were busy admiring the baby who was deep in sleep in their warmth nest.

Sun illuminated the little family’s nest. Time went on. The morning looked different. They waited for their baby to wake up. They waited and waited. Finally, the Blue Bird tried to wake up its son. But, the little baby didn’t respond. It pressed hard and tried to wake him up. But, the Green bird lied there motionless; eyes were closed and looked as if it was deep in thought.  Fear crippled them and their body started to shiver. Tears rolled down their eyes. They tried, tried and kept on trying. They moved him but the Green bird lied down there destroying the hopes of his kind parents. Darkness had fallen upon their nest. They were unable to accept that their son was gone. Their hopes rested upon their son were shattered. The little Green bird slept for eternity and heavens had taken him back.

Days passed in the darkness without the routines. Sun raised and set without the warmth admiration. They needed each other’s love. They alienated themselves and built a secret barrier around them. They stopped sharing, lost themselves, lived apart from each other and kept secrets from each other. Sweet memories began to fade; Sun never rose to illuminate the nest; Obscurity filled their nest. As time went on, hatred began to cast its shadow upon them. They began to abuse each other. They never realized that they needed each other’s love. They blamed each other. On one unfortunate day, the Rose bird left the nest and it never came back.

Exhausted eyes of the Blue Bird looked out of the nest every day. Its eyes ached for his love. But, it was betrayed. It hated the morning sun for the first time in his life, lived inside the nest and never left it. It felt the loneliness and was unable to come out of it. Guiltiness surrounded him and haunted him. It muttered the same question again and again “Why did you let her go! Why did you let her go.why …whyyyy”

Its eyes lost the sleep and it had become lean. It was unable to walk yet managed to walk and powered its beak to inscribe something on the branch they were living all these days.  Unable to withstand the guiltiness, the lone bird took its life at last. Months rolled. It was spring. The Female half had reached the nest. It searched for its nest. It flapped its wings and flew high to reach her nest. But to her betrayal, she found the branch where they were living empty and it searched for its nest. The neighboring birds informed that her better half was dead. She was unable to bear the lose and blamed herself. It cried and cried. She was informed that her better half had taken its own life. Its tears fell on the branch and the letters came clear to its eyes. It said, “Bye bye Rose bird.”

“You never know the worth of your loved ones until unless they are gone. Don’t let that happen. Don’t lose them because true love is precious. Once you lose it, its hard to get it back”

Sixth Sense

My dreams have lost its hope; my thoughts are being destabilized; I’m being infuriated after seeing the devastating effect of the sixth sense. We are bestowed with a legitimate sense that could lead this earth in harmony; instead, we are leading it in discord. We are bestowed with this sense to follow the path of good and faith; instead, we are following the path of evil and mistrust. We already have waged war on each other. What we see now is the aftermath of the war. Never a day passed without seeing the bloodshed. Never a day passed without the vengeance. One is sending his warship in the name of a fake operation. One wants to prove himself as a super power. Two are fighting over the border dispute. One is killing myriads of people in the name of war. A group is being murdered in the name of violence. Plenty are being massacred in the name of dictatorship. A curse disguised itself in the name of sixth sense. There was a day, a half nude man shouted over his overwhelming discovery. He struck two flints together and went mad after seeing the flame. One used it to cook and sharpened his tool in-order to make a living. One used it to flame a house and sharpened his weapon in-order to initiate a war. Greedy man started his fight there and the limitless sixth sense accompanied him wherever he had gone, whomsoever he had killed, whatever he had invented and whichever destructions he had initiated. This unique sense conceived and delivered the inventions and discoveries. Limitless thought process lead to inventions. Inventions are nothing but a tool of destructions even though the purpose of invention is to lead the mankind in a better way with better ideals. Man threw the purpose away as a garbage and armed him with evil deeds. Now, I see us as a dead meat with six senses. May be God experimented it. He was wrong and he was too late to realize it. Man somehow let go of his hand from the iron fist of God. But, he was not all wrong. There are some with good deeds wandering this land justifying the need of the sixth sense. I’m trying to be one of them. I hope that I would succeed one fine day. Because, its hope right! It lasts till the last drop of our blood. Peace.

Last 7 Hours

June 8, 2005 Time: around 1:45 P.M. I was at my hostel’s lunch hall chattering and making fun of my friends after the second semester’s final exam. I was as happy as a kid and as mad as a madman. My friend shouted,” tharik, a call for you! Urgent son!” My friend gave his cell phone. It’s my friend from Chennai on the other side.

I said,” hello!”

My friend replied with a firm voice and there was a sense of remorse in his voice. He said,”when are you starting?”

“Tomorrow with my friends. You knew that before. It’s my last day of the semester. I would prefer to come with them in train. Is there any problem?”

There was a long pause on the other side and he sighed,” start A.S.A.P”

“Why?”

“Don’t ask me reasons son! Try to understand. Start immediately”

“Come on! We booked the tickets already. “

“So what? Start now. I can’t tell you reasons now. I’ll tell you everything after reaching here”

With a firm voice I replied,” tell me the reason”.

The reply was abrupt and stern. He said,” Your dad is no more”. He hung up the phone.

Momentary madness struck me. Tears filled my eyes and my legs trembled. My friend took hold of me. Sudden chillness rushed through my body as I was unable to believe what I have heard. I ran like a mad towards the telephone booth even though I had my friend’s phone in my hand. I don’t know why I did that. I don’t know why I ran like a lunatic. I reached the telephone booth and called my uncle.  I mourned, “What happened to dad?”

He replied,” no problem. He is serious. Nothing to worry. When are you coming?”

Contradicting replies yet it lured me to believe that he was alive.

I replied,” tonight”

He rejoined,” ok. See you tonight”

He hung up the phone.

My friend asked,” what happened?”

“My dad is serious and I’m going home”

My friend replied with a deep regret,” don’t worry, he will be fine. Don’t lose your hope. Call me once you reach there.”

I nodded and reached my room faster; I packed my things rapidly and four of my friends accompanied me till the railway station.

Two words were ringing in my ears. They are “he is serious”. It echoed in my ears and I pondered over the last moments at the lunch hall till I reach the station. My friends bid adieu to me and I waved my hand after getting into the compartment. I wasn’t me that day. I lost my self in a fearsome nightmare that haunted me like a spectre. I sat and covered my eyes with my hand. I don’t know whom to believe or what to believe. I became passive.

“Sir, it’s too late. We already have began our course for the tenth standard students. I’m sorry sir; it’s hard for your son to pursue with only six months remaining” said the principal with a delicate voice.

“I know my son better than everyone. I know that I’m going to attach him here with only six months remaining. But, he is not what you think. He is better than that. Take my word. He joins here at the last moment. From today, count the days; he will come out of tenth standard with flying colours. He will bring pride to your school as well as to me. It’s not a word. It’s more than that”, my dad’s voice was firm and confident as I was sitting beside him, quietly admiring his words.

“Sir, could you please move a bit?” a stranger said. I looked upon him with my red eyes and moved a bit to give space for him to sit. My belief was getting stronger and stronger. I prayed that nothing should happen to him. I muttered that he should be fine. I mourned and peeked out of the window.

The lamenting breeze swept over my face. I lost myself again and I never wanted that.

“I have transferred 2000 rupees last month. You are reckless in spending money. What did you do with that 2000?” My dad inscribed on his notebook to communicate with people as the cancer took its toll of his voice and he was fed through his nose. He was not the same dad whom I have seen tucking his shirt and walked lion hearted. He was ill, severely ill.

I stammered after reading his inscriptions. I replied, “hummm...”

My sister came to my rescue. She steered, “Dad! He knows what he is doing. He is young .trust him that he will not deviate. Just give him please!” She hugged my dad and her hug was passionate.

I woke up and realized that I reached Katpadi which is just a 2 hour travel from Chennai. I didn’t talk to any of my fellow travellers and I didn’t want to. Peace swallowed me. I thought about my days with my dad. I thought about the day when my dad ordered me not to come near him and told me not to touch him. Because he thought that it might spread. I felt lonely and my home had lost the sun shines and rainbows. I thought about my last visit to my home. My brother and I have given the blood for my dad’s operation. I slept after reaching my home and felt the feathery touch of my father’s fingers running through my hairs. I didn’t want to open my eyes. I didn’t really want to. I just wanted to feel it. His tears fell on my cheek.

            “Son, we reached avadi. Where are you gonna get down? I’m sorry I didn’t want to wake you up. Just wanted you to know”, said the stranger next to me.

I replied, “Thanks. I shall get down at Chennai central”

He rejoined,” Okay.”

He continued with his routine and I kept looking outside the window.

Finally, I reached central station and got out of the station. I got an Auto and told him my destination. I sat near the entrance and was deep in thought. I thought about my telephone call to my home. Since no one was available at home, my dad attended the call. He couldn’t speak as the cancer completely closed his mouth. He tried to talk to me. He tried and tried. I realized that it’s my dad on the other side. I echoed, “ dad? Dad? Are you there?” He couldn’t speak and I heard only the mourning sound. I cried and hung up the phone. I covered my eyes with my hands and cried after hanging up.

I realized that I was nearing my home when I felt a sudden jolt. I directed the auto man to my home. I got out of the auto at the turn of my street. My friends saw and took charge of my bag. I asked them,” what happened? ”

They guided me to my home. When crossed the turn I saw people sitting outside my home. Tears started to roll down my cheeks. I don’t remember what happened after that. It was only bits and pieces. I was completed shattered. I was looking at my dad’s body inside the freezer box. I was looking at him the entire night. I couldn’t believe myself that he was gone. I prayed, “Dear God, if you are looking down at me, please! Bring him back.”