Movie Review - Love Aaj Kal

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Movie: Love Aaj Kal (Hindi, 2009)

Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rahul Khanna, Giselle Monteiro (not verified)

Director: Imtiaz Ali

Rating: **1/2 (Likeable)

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Are you someone who does not believe in love? or someone facing a problem falling in love? or have a girlfriend/boyfriend but not in love with her/him? Well now, to find your answers or to make it a bit easier for you to find these answers, you can go for the refresher course in love, and that is how I describe the movie 'Love Aaj Kal'. Yes, the movie is like a refresher course or a crash course in love.

An ultra modern couple living in London, who start going around after a lot of flirting, and even part ways by throwing a break up party, are very much believable in todays time. Though, few might differ with my point of view. Saif (Jai) & Deepika (Meera) do not want to get into a long distance, and therefore part ways. The loveable Rishi Kapoor (Old Veer Singh), who is the owner of a cafe where Saif & Deepika hangout a lot, though, disagrees that long distance relationships are not possible, and so, narrates his own love story to saif, and takes the audience into the 1960's era directed incredibly well by Imtiaz.

Rather, the old eastman color love between Saif, who also plays the role of the young Rishi Kapoor, and Giselle Monteiro (Harleen Kaur) is what makes you feel as if craving to be in the shoes of Veer Singh. The debutant Giselle (name cant be verified, as the producers have still kept her under wraps as a mystery) is a breath of fresh air and looks elegant and gorgeous, and makes a mark with just her expressions.

The songs are excellent, specially the one sung by Mohit Chauhan, and also Chor Bazaari which is the most popular out of the entire soundtrack. Though, Imtiaz has failed to position these songs in the movie successfully. You would find many songs out of place. One of the biggest flaws in the movie on part of the director.

Saif has done an excellent job as both the super cool flirt, and also as the sardarji in the 1960's era. Towards the end of the movie, as his character becomes more serious, you would notice how he has matured as one of the finest actors in the industry. The transition is very smooth, and both the director and the actor deserve applause.

Deepika, unlike the roles of the female actors in Imtiaz's previous movies, 'socha na tha' & 'jab we met' , does not have a very important role or scope to play in the movie. One reason is the two time periods the movie is based on, and having a different actor for the 60's era. Also, Deepika, is nowhere close to the flawless acting of Kareena Kapoor and Ayesha Takia respectively in JWM and SNT.

Rishi Kapoor, is at his usual best.

Rahul Khanna has not much to do in the movie, and to be honest, anyone would have done justice to his role.

The real winner of the movie are its dialogues, so much real, and so much in place with the present. Watch out for some real good one liners.

Imtiaz Ali, could have made this movie into a master piece, but somewhere lost his way, specially towards the end. 'Socha Na Tha' and 'Jab We Met' were alltogether of a different class when compared to Love Aaj Kal. Though, Imitiaz does create some magic moments in the movie for which it needs to be seen.

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Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

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Key Tags: Love Aaj Kal, Movie Review Love Aaj Kal, Love Aaj kal in Dubai, Love Aaj Kal UAE, Saif Love Aaj Kal, Deepika Love Aaj Kal, Cast love aaj Kal,

Overheard in Dubai - Innocence

Location- Coffee Shop;

Scene - A young Indian couple in conversation with a small school going girl.

Young Indian Couple: Beta, Do you like going to school?

Small Girl: No..... then changes her answer to Yes....

Young Indian Couple: Acha, so beta what do you like in school?

Small Girl: Coming back to home....!!

:)

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Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

Star Bestsellers

Circa 1999-2000 ..... I was around 14 then, and not many things on TV really made me interested other than NGC, Discovery or the News.... and then one day, while browsing channels I saw this short film on Star Plus 'Bhoron Ne Khilaya Phool' under the tele-series, Star Bestsellers.

For the first time ever, I was hooked on to TV! and mind you, these 1 hour episodes, each time a different story, were not just any other TV serial. They are, by far the best, tele-films shown on Indian Television till date.

Star Bestsellers, for many new, struggling actors and directors, proved to be the turning point in their careers and life. To name a few:

• Tigmanshu Dhulia -

The director of the popular TV show 'Just Mohabbat' (1996) , after directing 6 different 45 min stories for Star Bestsellers, went ahead to direct his first movie - Haasil in 2003, which got rave reviews.

• Imtiaz Ali -

The king of romantic comedy's.... Went on to direct Socha Na Tha (2005), Jab We Met (2007), and the soon to be released Love Aaj Kal, starring Saif and Deepika Padukone.

• Anurag Kashyap -

The genius himself..... went on to direct the controversial Black Friday, Paanch, and recently the super successful Dev D..... For Star Bestsellers he directed the terrific story 'Last Train to Mahakali', which is also the only story whose video is available online out of the entire series!!! I am posting the videos on this post... Take 45 mins out for this wonderfully directed story.

• Kay Kay Menon -

Needs no introduction. Watch out for him in Last Train to Mahakali....

• Irfan Khan -

The extremely talented actor was seen in 2-3 episodes of the Star Bestseller series.. He got "The Warrior' after Star Bestsellers and made him a face to reckon with all around the world.

The above are only few of the extremely talented actors and directors which made Star Bestsellers what it was.... I sooo wish to get hold of the other episodes...

Trust me, after watching this, you would die for more!

Enjoy!

Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

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Key Tags: Watch Star bestsellers Online, Star Bestsellers, Anurag Kashyap, Last Train To Mahakali, K K Menon, Watch Last Train to Mahakali, Star Bestsellers Wiki, Download Star Bestsellers, Indian Television Star Bestsellers, Star Plus Bestsellers,

Post Edited on 09 May 2010 - Now also watch Kya Yahi Pyaar Hai from Star Bestsellers.

Next Part - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZUjUNlwCL4&feature=related

Mumbai 26/11 Attacks: Chilling Confession of Kasab

Finally, the man confessed to what the entire world (atleast all Indians) already knew. Before I pen down my thoughts and comments on the Mumbai Attacks, which is nothing less than a brain tumor, and which shall remain in the mind forever, I thought one should give a reading to the confession made by Kasab in court on 20th July 2009.

It is a chilling tale, which needs to be told to every citizen of this country (and of this world), just to reinstate the fact that we Indians, are such an easy target for these brainwashed men, who get all the sophisticated training and incentives for having an agenda to kill innocent people. Read it, and you shall know, that the local policemen who protect us in our country, do not get such a sophisticated and planned training what these 'juvenile kids and 20 somethings' are getting across the border.

And our authorities, as usual, are sitting ducks.

Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

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THE KILLINGS
Mujhe gunah kabool hai (I admit my crime). We fired on the public at CST — Abu Ismail and I. Ismail lobbed grenades and I fired with the gun. We went a little ahead and entered a hall where we had a skirmish with the police. After another exchange of fire, all was quiet. The photographs shown of us at CST are genuine. We went back towards the platform, crossed an iron footbridge and descended into an alley. I checked vehicles parked there so that we could drive off in one. The CCTV footage shown of us around those cars is correct. However, none of the cars could be opened and we proceeded on foot. Ismail and I loaded our AK-47s. On walking a little ahead, we saw a man running. I fired at him and Ismail fired inside a house.

When we reached the gate of Cama Hospital, we saw that the wall was not too high and jumped over it. Ismail told me to wait while he checked the premises. I heard the sound of gunfire. Ismail returned and asked me to follow him. A man dressed in white was lying dead. I did not see his face. Another man was lying on a stretcher in a pool of blood. We went up a flight of stairs to the fifth floor. We stopped three persons in the ward, including a witness in the present case, and asked him to lie down so that we could frisk him. We then locked up five others, one of whom was lying in a pool of blood, in a bathroom, warning them not to make any noise. We went up to the terrace. As soon as we entered, we saw a man. I asked him to show us the way out. He indicated that policemen were around — when we went down the staircase, we saw them for ourselves. I ran back and told Ismail.

He asked me where they were, but by then we could hear a commotion that the police had arrived. Ismail was near the door. He asked me to keep a watch on the terrace and asked for a grenade. I removed all the weapons from my bag and put them in Ismail’s bag. Firing started. I kept a watch on the terrace. Then we started running downstairs and someone fired upon us. I returned fire and came down. Ismail went out first. We could see policemen near the gate, but they didn’t notice us. Ismail said we should hide. There was a door near the wall, and a person was sitting outside the hall of the hospital. I warned him to keep mum, and we managed to get out of the hospital.

On the road, we saw a big blue vehicle coming towards us. We hid behind a small stall. The blue vehicle came nearer and Ismail lobbed a grenade at it. We then walked up to a bank and hid in some bushes. We saw the headlights of a vehicle, and as it came nearer to us there was firing from it. Ismail started firing back. I was injured on my right forearm, left wrist and right elbow. (Shows his injuries in court). My gun fell out of my hand and I also fell down. The firing continued, and Ismail walked towards the vehicle. He went to check it and kept firing on it. By then I got up and took my gun in my hand. I opened the doors of the police vehicle and found its occupants dead. We removed their bodies. Ismail started the jeep and I sat next to him. In the meantime there was firing on the vehicle but none of the bullets hit us. Ismail started driving with his left hand and firing with the other one. We took a right turn. Maine kaha main chal nahin sakta (I said I wouldn’t be able to walk). Ismail said ‘ Tu hausla mat haar. Mujhe bhi goli lagi hai ’ (Don’t lose courage. I have also been shot). He said he had been shot in the knee. I could tell from the noise of the wheel that it had been punctured. We did not know the roads. We saw policemen in a motor vehicle, and on seeing weapons in our hands they started firing at us. We fired in retaliation and the cops left the spot to hide. We decided to stop a vehicle. A Skoda car, with two men and a woman in it, was passing, and we stopped it and made the occupants get out. I told Ismail that we should conceal our weapons somewhere so that nobody would be able to recognise us. We continued to drive on the same road and reached the same spot where we had hijacked the car. We saw the owner telling the police that it was his car. We started following a white car. A little ahead we could see barriers on the road. The white car went past them but policemen directed us to stop. I asked Ismail to slow down. A policeman came in front of the car. Ismail tried taking a U-turn. We could not understand anything and suddenly the wipers also started. Policemen came to the car, and one of them caught me by the collar. He pulled me out of the car. I was surrounded by policemen and one of them snatched my AK-47, which was in my hand. They started hitting me in my stomach and also with the butt of my gun. I did not fire. When I regained consciousness I was in hospital. I had not fired because I could not hold my gun.

HUM DUS THE (WE WERE TEN)

We travelled from Karachi in a small boat. Four persons came to see us off — Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, Abu Hamza, Abu Kafa and Abu Jundala. I did not know the others personally but I can tell their names. Abu Ismail (he was our boss), Abu Akasha, Abu Umer, Abu Shoaib, Abu Ali, Abdul Rehman Chhota, Abdul Rehman Bada, Hafiz Arshad and Abu Fadaullah, who had a finger missing. A small boat from Karachi transported us to a big boat, which we used to get on to the high seas. There were three people on the small boat. I only remember the name of Hakib. On the big boat called ‘Al Huseini’ we slept and said our namaaz. When it sailed there were seven people on it — Murshad, Aqib, Usman... I don’t remember the other names. Murshad was the boss.

We were looking for another boat and spotted one. At 4 pm, it was brought to ‘Al Huseini’ and we started loading it with oil, blankets, rations and other things. The remaining articles were thrown into the sea. Murshad asked the five crew members of the other boat who their ‘naqva’ (navigator) was, and Amarjit Singh Solanki said it was him. The other four were taken to ‘Al Huseini’ and Singh remained on board. Murshad told us to take blankets and go to sleep. He told Ismail to take Solanki’s help in case of difficulty. A big GPS set was also given to Ismail, which we threw into the sea when we reached India.

THE TRAINING

Last year, when I was working as a decorator in Jhelum city, my colleague, Muzaffar, suggested that we turn to dacoity for better money. I left the job, went to Rawalpindi with him and took a room on rent. We decided to commit dacoity at a certain bungalow. I was roaming alone at Rawalpindi’s Raza market when I saw some Mujahideens buying animal skins. From my childhood, I had been hearing of these Mujahideens. They are known by their long hair and beards. A few days later, Muzaffar returned and we both visited the same market and were discussing our plans to rob the bungalow. I repeatedly asked him where we would get the weapons and how would we pull it off. I told him then that I had seen Mujahideens at the market, and that we could get weapons training from them, to which he agreed. We found out where their office was, and went there. A man asked me what I had come for. I told him we had come for Jihad, so he let us in. One person asked me my name, address and asked me to return next morning with extra clothes.
We returned with our baggage and we were given a chit on which was written the address of a training camp in Muridke. Three weeks later, I was sent from there to another camp. In the evening we went to Buttal jungle, where I met Muzaffar. We were given 21 days of training. After his training was over, Muzaffar’s brother took him back home but I was told that I was going for bigger training.

Here, I was taught exercises, operating weapons like AK-47, guns and pistols. Three months went by like this. My trainer Abu Abdul Rehman asked me to bring my identity card from my native Okara district. I visited an office in Model Town there and was asked to go to Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir. Once in Muzaffarabad, I was asked to look for Saeed Bhai’s office. I told them that I had come for Daura-E-Khaas (special training), and filled up a form. The next morning, we reached a training camp, where Abu Maaviya was our trainer and trained me for three months in operating rocket launchers, grenades, AK-47s and other sophisticated weapons. Then I was sent to my Faridkot home. I was told to return to Saeed Bhai’s office after a week, which I did.

Ten days later, Saeed bhai, Abu Kafa and Abu Hamza came there and selected 15 of us. We were taken to Muzaffarabad and then to Muridke. Kafa was with me and we were trained to swim. A month later, we were taken to Karachi’s seashore from where we were taken in small boats to big ones. The idea was to check if we could adjust to the sea’s rough weather or not, and to see if we suffered from sea-sickness. We were then brought back to the same place and then two days later, we were again taken to Muzaffarabad where we met Hamza.

Of the 15 of us, two had run away, while six were sent to Kashmir. So seven of us were left, to which three other boys were added, making us ten in all. Hamza had a separate room, to which he would call us in pairs. On two occasions, he showed Ismail and me movies and pictures of CST station on his laptop. We were then taken to forests, trained further in firing, and were brought back. Two days later, we were given trousers and T-shirts, and our photographs were taken and our fake ID-cards made. Kafa took us to Karachi and gave us small bomb kits. We were asked to note down the time when the bomb kit’s battery would turn on.

We stayed there for more than 90 days. We were trained to use an inflatable boat. It is the same boat produced in court. In Karachi we stayed in the same house that was shown on Geo TV. Two or three days before November 22, 2008, Hamza again came and played the same CST video to us. We were given arms and ammunition. Those bags were transported to Al-Huseini.

Kafa took us to the Karachi shore where Al-Huseini was anchored. Lakhwi, Hamza and Abu Jundal joined Kafa on the shore, while we were to leave for Mumbai. Jundal Hindustani hai, unhonein hi humein Hindi sikhaaein . My wish is that you should end this trial and punish me.

I wanted to confess much earlier but could not do so as Pakistan had disowned me. Now Pakistan is saying that I am a Pakistani.

They are also going to prosecute the offenders. Don’t ask me how I know all this. I just do. You
should accept my confession and punish me.

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Courtesy - The Times of India.

Shanghai Dreams Come Crashing - Mumbai Rains

I have stayed in total about 4 years in Bombay out of the 23 years since I have been in this world. The rest has been in Nigeria, New Delhi, and now Dubai, with the maximum in the capital city of India. But somehow, I relate the most to Bombay as a person, to its people, to its challenges, and to its way of life.

The love affair between the Rains and Bombay residents would never end, and why should it!.

All the pictures below, are quite ironical... The sparkling life and excitement which the rains bring with it, and on the other hand, how the life simply comes to a standstill, in the Financial Capital of India.

The authorities boast about a Disaster Management Committee and Plan which works throughout, after the 2005 floods which paralysed this city otherwise always on the move. 5 years gone, but the plan is still not out of the planning stage. This is not just for the rains, but also Terrorism, case in point the 2006 Bombay Blasts, and the more recent 26/11 attack. The city was simply left stranded by the authorities.

I would prefer watching Bombay Dreams, than even think of the Shanghai dream being shown to all of us. [pretending....]

Sidharth Mehta,

Dubai, UAE

Please Note: You shall see the pictures only once you open the blog post, and not on your email screen. Click on each picture to get a bigger and clear view.

All pictures above are courtesy of Hindustan Times.

Entrepreneurship - The Journey from the Idea of one, to becoming the action of all

I have been associated with this website right from its scratch in a small supportive way, and feel proud to see it grow and multiply in such little time. The owner, Shradha Sharma, has become a dear friend in no time at all. Shradha, you are doing an amazing job by connecting entrepreneurs, and helping individuals take the road less taken which only is dreamt more. Way to Go!

All those who are entrepreneurs, and want to grow their business, get in touch with Shradha... and all individuals contemplating to start something soon, share yourstory with her, to make it real and rocking!

Sidharth Mehta,

Dubai, UAE

Video Attached - Yourstory.in

Political Crap - Do's and Don'ts for BJP MP's and Shri Advani

On the online version of Times of India today, I read a newstory titled "Advani lists do's and don'ts for BJP MPs". Personally, I have always been a hard critic of the BJP, and really hoped that this time, the most experienced of the BJP members might have some good advice for its party members, specially after the big loss in the recent elections.

What I ended up reading was utter shit, and rather it only tickled my funny bone. I am surprised "The Times of India" actually made up a main newstory out of this.

To put things in perspective,

"After the Lok Sabha elections, some leaders in the party have been giving random statements to the media. This portrays a wrong image of the party and spoils the reputation of some leaders. Therefore, to control this, Advani ji has come out with some suggestions," BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

Speaking on the birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on Monday, Advani said there were too many spokespersons in the party.

Random Statements! - When did in history ever our politicians (forget just BJP) gave statements which were authorised by the party command?! Each and everyone is Media hungry, and wants his ego to be boosted by looking at himself on the TV, or to read their respectives names on the newspaper. The last time I heard a statement authorised by the party command, was when BJP lost the elections, and their party spokesperson came on TV with a brave face to read out the statement!. The irony is, Mr. Naqvi who gave the above statement, is himself not the assigned spokesperson of the party! Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Shri Prakash Javadeka, and Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy are the official spokespersons of the party.

Advani also advised them to check every document before they sign.
Asking them to be careful as these were critical times when individual parties were looking for opportunities to "show each other down", Advani further said that the MPs should thoroughly check the background of private secretaries before hiring them.

Check every document before they sign !!! - Has the BJP as their members, kept juvenile kids? Does it need the spoon feeding of Mr. Advani, to tell them to read every paper before signing. Yeh log kisi din desh ko bech daalenge!!! (They might just sell the country someday, unknowingly). If we have MP's and politicians like these, seriously, the BJP has no right to exist.

The background of private secretaries!!! - Is it just required that the head of the party command needs to tell these kind of things to its members?? It is just a shame that this is required to be told, and all the more, that the BJP has made these statements to the public/media, only to embarass themselves, and also the citizens of this country, thinking 'these are the kind of leaders we have!'.

Very fast, I just want to list some serious Do' and Don'ts for BJP:

Do's & Don'ts

• Throw Varun Gandhi out of the Party. With evidence on the ground, and eye witnesses agreeing that what is on the videos he actually said, no reason why he should not be out of the BJP, and rather should be in Jail!
• Forget Hindutva - Lord Shri Ram would not come and punish you if you do not go the hindutva way. For a matter of fact, you lost the last elections only because of the rubbish you guys are pushing upon the general public of this country. Time to learn from your mistakes.
• Just because you are sitting in the opposition, it does not mean, every new law or resolution which needs to be passed in the parliament needs to be opposed!. Kindly do some honest discussions, and take a decision which is in the best interest of the country. Be an healthy opposition, not filthy.
• Get some younger generation into mainstream politics, surely not Varun Gandhi. He would only lead to another big loss for you in the next elections.
• And to all politicians of all partys - You are public servants, act like one, and better do justice to your work and the country.
• Finally, do not forget all of the above.

Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

Official Crap - Rakhi Ka Swayamvar ..rr...r...rr.. whatever!

Disclaimer: You might puke after watching this show/or its trailor .

"... shuru ho raha hai Rakhi Ka Swayamvar. Ek naya Reality Show. Aapne apni entries bheji, Rakhi ne chune 16 naujawan. Inn mein se kaun banega Rakhi ka var? Bahot saari tayaariyan ho rahi hai. Bas ab kuch hi din baaki hai..." as NDTV Imagine's website reads....

Rakhi Ka Swayamvar - First of all, were the creative minds behind this show not able to think of a better name?

Rakhi Ka Swayamvar rr. One gets lost half way while pronouncing it! 'Rakhi ki shaadi' could have been better! Isnt it?

What the hell! Why do we even care?!!!

So coming to the point, NDTV Imagine recently lauched this show, a reality show which shall bring together few men

who would fight amongst themselves to be Rakhi Sawant's Husband, and as per media reports, the show was the most

awaited by Indian TV viewers, and TRP ratings already soaring high with a day's telecast!. Imagine, the TRP rating guys

actually did a survey just after the 1st episode late in the night, and we already had press releases all over, the same time

when the 1st episode was being telecasted!!! Wow, now that is real quick.... hmm or was it just made up?

Anybody's guess!

Now Imagine, how much must be the producers paying those 16 losers who actually agreed to be part of this show and

embarass themselves in front of the nation? Only those 16 losers would know the value of that money!

The Host and Dost of Rakhi: Ram Kapoor - Another loser in the making.

By the way, do watch 'Rakhi Ka Swaymamvar' which is telecasted every Monday-Friday at 9 pm on NDTV Imagine!!!! ;0 .. Or if you really want to irritate someone else, do recommend this show to them!

Start with checking the video attached to this post! Enjoy!!!!