23/05/2011

Pepsi

It was a time when One rupee meant a lot and people were happy with the treat that we have in the Bhaji stalls and Tuck Shops where it generally costs us 10 rupees or less for almost 6 people.I still remember flavoured or rather coloured ice cubes sold in plastic tubes for just 50 paise and 75 paise. There was even a variant for 60 paise which tasted a lot better than the other two. Interestingly it was named PEPSI and that was the way before we knew about the actual Pepsi. Vimal was the leading manufacturer of this Pepsi and I tried my best to get a picture of the same without much luck.


It was Sports Day for us and teachers made sure that everybody from the lower classes participated at least in one event. I just came to the ground from school in school van and I didn't know who will take me back to home that day. We didn't know much about the houses except for the fact that we wore different colour dresses or about the points awarded for each and every event or about the trophy my house captain will hold at the end of the event. We were split into teams of 10 and our objective was simple take the small balls for one circle to next in steps and do it in quick time. We were completely ignorant of the consequences and it was total fun. I remember I was in green house standing in the second half of the team and I have no clue who was in my team or even the opposition that day. The circles were placed in the track and there was a huge crowd awaiting us at the end of the last circle. At the blow of the whistle we started our routine and people were clapping and shouting like crazy. It was my turn and I finished placing all the balls in the intended circle and ran to the end. I was just clapping for the other members of my team hoping that we would come first.

The race was done and it was total chaos and I didn't know who won. There was this hand in that crowd which pulled me and handed over a 50 paise Pepsi. It was melt completely and once I split it open I was able to empty it in seconds which would have taken at least 10 minutes back then. It smelled and tasted weird didn't know carcinogens brought that effect. Recollecting the event today I am now able to realise the love my mom had for me. She was too excited and she didn't even know if I had won or not. She had come all the way from my home to pick me up walking almost 2kms in hot sun. She is not that educated and probably didn't know how Pepsi was going to taste once it melts down. All she had in mind was to get something cold for her son to have after the event. It was ignorance and love at it's best. I don't have half of the love what she had or have for me. I have no clue why is that so but then I have this feeling that I should probably should do what I can do the best to keep her happy within my limits.... :)

The reason that made me recollect this event is yet another Ignorance and Love at it's best bringing me masala idlies hoping that I would eat them hot in front of my office which is highly polluted and is the most in appropriate place to have. By the time I got to the idlies it was dry and close to in edibility but still it was full of love or rather stupid love :D I hope I am blessed to have it throughout my life.

09/05/2011

KO

Two months of World Cup and now almost one month of IPL has managed to keep me glued to the TV sets in the weekends. The reason is not because I was so interested in watching the matches but because of the fact that there was no one to release any films for the past 3 months or so :( .... Finally "KO" was released few weeks back and It was very difficult to find tickets in all the multiplexes and finally I ended up booking in Devi complex. There was a huge expectation on the movie thanks to the songs which were topping the charts already. "Ko" in short is not a classic one but for sure you would find very little to keep you away from the movie. Simbhu for sure has missed a trick in refusing to take up project. May be he is following his favourite hero is rejecting good scripts... :)

It is a complete commercial entertainer with a clichéd story set in a different backdrop with new characterisations. The director should be appreciated for staying away form an exclusive comedy track as we find in most of the commercial movies today. That way the flow of the movie was not disturbed. The same cant be said about the songs though. It is sad to see that even good songs can stop the flow of the story considerably. Placement of the song "Vennpaniyae" could have been altered. If there is no reason that would make me go back to theatres would the cinematography and the locations of the song.

The story was well narrated  though there were few loopholes which were not explained till the end.The way present day politics was brought out was exceptional and I appreciate the producer who has refrained from deleting those scenes :) Of course the story is a fantasy and is no way closer to reality even for a considerable future. All the characters in the movie played their part to perfection and the character Saro needs a special mention as she keeps the audience light hearted in the intense story narration. The female lead has height to her advantage. I cant think of anything else special about her. Many think her eye brows were good but I had an opposite opinion on that. The male leads were perfect and has done a fabulous job throughout the movie especially Vasanthan which had more scope for acting than Ashwin.

The movie on the whole can be watched once for sure. Kudos to the entire team for meeting the huge expectations and K.V. Anand is turning out to be a successful commercial director without any kuthu songs :)