5. Sunrise to Sunset.

Chadta Suraj dheere dheere dhalta hai dhal jaayega…
These are the opening lines of a song (actually a Qawaali) that talks about the transitory nature of life and time. These lines literally mean that the sun that rises; slowly will set in a while.

There was time when I would feel that the song is really very meaningful and is well-written. There are a couple of hard hitting lines where a reference is made to Alexander’s situation at the time of his death.

Yaad rakh Sikander ke hausle to aali the… Jab gaya wo Duniya se, dono haath khaali theIt means – Remember, Alexander had great aspirations throughout his life but when he left the world, both his hands were empty.

Besides, there are many such striking lines and verses in this entire song. Reviewing and explaining the song is not my objective nevertheless. What I intend is to focus on the phase of my life I have thought this song along.

The next phase of life was where I found this song to be extremely depressing and meaningless. I would transit myself into a state of despair on listening to this song. I would say to self – Why do I not want to enjoy and live the present moment and phase of life? Why do I want to think on such disheartening lines that make me feel gloomy and blue?

Thinking this I started disliking the song. Of course, I would enjoy it thoroughly when it was sung or whenever I would listen to it but then that was just because of the environment that it created.

Now that a significant part of life has passed away and the end is swiftly nearing, I feel like pondering over the song; this time not to learn the meaning behind it but to experience the essence of it.

Kal jo tan ke chalte the apni shaan-o-shaukat par, shamma tak nahi jalti aaj unki gurbat par
Yesterday those who were proudly walking down with chest-wide-open, today even the candles on their grave aren't lit.

Dilip is gonna be Yesterday soon!!!

4. Mad Mad Mad.

Things that shud make me feel sad, I feel happy about them…
Things that shud make me happy, I feel they are sad…
I am going mad mad mad

Things that are bad, I feel they are good for my life
Things that are good for me, I feel they are bad
I am going mad mad mad

People whose influence is ruining my life, I go ga-ga about them
Those who think for my betterment, about them I don’t feel glad
I am going mad mad mad

Thinking about life seems to be just a waste of time….
There is nothing thats gonna affect me until I am fully clad…
I am going mad mad mad

3. Paheli Puzzlewaala.

Thinking of you creates a spellbound feeling within me. The entire environment within and around is filled with an eternal fragrance that soothes my heart. Your heavenly touch creates a striking reverberation in my senses. The best of all the chords are pale in front of your incredible voice. I simply adore your presence which makes me feel existent. The beauty of your being is the driving force of my life.

I love you. I feel you.

You are more than life to me. You are the one whom I am living for. I have always designed my life taking you into consideration. I earn for you. I yearn for you. Every step I take and every move I make, you are never out of my sight. Our bonding is immense to an extent that makes me feel a relation of several ages. My love for you is ever-growing. I have forgotten myself completely.

I am talking about Paheli Puzzlewaala, who is the only motivation behind my life.

You got to guess, Who is Paheli Puzzlewaala?

2. Happy Birthday Mr. Netakar.

“Happy Birthday Mr Aniti Bhaiji Saaheb Netakar. May you complete the century of your life.”

As soon as I move out of my house and even before I finish a kilometer of a stroll or a ride, my eyeballs hit umpteen such billboards wishing birthdays, anniversaries and victories and so to say, achievements. Each poster wishing a so-called administrator carries numerous signatures of so-very-called well-wishers. Most of the well-wishers are pretty much unknown faces for me. Leave aside well-wishers, many a times the administrator is also quite a stranger. I really don’t know if he is an authorized one or a self or party nominated position.

What do I have to do with these shakha pramukhs and shakha up-paramukhs (branch presidents and vice-presidents)? Why do I need to care about their birthdays and anniversaries? Why do these people who claim to clean up the city and make it a better place to live do promote such things that makes the city more chaotic with regards to ‘look and feel’? What is the point in so much of boasting? Do they fear that by not doing such things, they won’t get votes? Or for that matter, are they living with the perception that by doing such things they would be gaining votes? Whatever it is, do these guys have the right to mess up with the looks of the city? Have they lost their senses? Do they feel that the common man has lost his senses? What the buck! (Yes, it’s a typo)

What is the law and order doing? Why can’t they enforce some law as a result of which such cr#p is averted?

I remember nearly a decade ago when these parties would campaign during election by painting the walls and a fiery election commissioner put an end to it. It needs to happen again.

I am and want to stay happy wishing my folks on their birthdays and anniversaries through the medium of phone / text / f2f.

PS: Thank you Samir for suggesting the title.

1. Slowdown.

Faster I run, nearer comes the end
Hence I would like to reverse the trend
Contra to the idea of turning town in metro
I would rather return; live happily in retro

1. Disappear.

Since my mom had gone out of station, I was all alone. Although it was a Saturday night, I just planned to laze at home, sit back, watch television and peacefully sleep. I did so.

It was 7.30 am when my eyeballs hit the clock. It was a bit early for a Sunday morning but since I was up and fresh, I decided to go for a stroll. While stepping down, I saw my milkman stepping up and expressed that I don’t want milk. He gave a surreal look and before his response or my analysis, I jumped down to the ground level. Something was eccentric in the milkman’s look but then I didn’t care much thinking he might be a victim of hangover since it was a Sunday morning for him as well.

Passing thru my lane, I encountered my friend’s dad who was in his temple gear. Worshipping God in the morning is his daily routine. Most of the times when I see him, he is usually in his own world chanting something. Ditto this time. Still I thought of bidding a hello and when I did so, he looked at me but didn’t respond back. I was aghast but then assuming he must be in his godly thoughts, I resumed my walk. I was still wondering about back to back similar events nonetheless.

With all those thoughts gradually evaporating, I had a nice 30 minute walk. Hungry, I entered my favorite eatery and took some food coupons. Despite a busy morning, the coupon vendor still managed to response to my ‘happy morning’ greeting. I was happy assuming he recognized me but still not completely satisfied as he just responded with his heads down engrossed in catering to other customers.

After a wonderful breakfast as soon as I popped out of the restaurant, I witness a friend of mine from a certain distance cruising on his bike and as he passed perpendicular, I waved my hand. It seemed like he had simply ignored it. I consoled my mind explaining it must be because of a lot of crowd around; the wave must have gone unnoticed.

The mind was not ready to get convinced and as a result of which a lot of questions started haunting around. Walking down further, I could see my gym instructor approaching. This was an acid test for me. I rushed towards him, gave a broad smile and uttered ‘Hello’. He gave a smile in return and said the same. I was relieved. Before my breaths stay calm for even a degree movement of the second hand of the clock, he quoted – “Are you interested in joining gym?”

I almost fainted. It was like I had lost all my senses. I not only failed the acid test but my identity too. I couldn’t see any difference in strangers and acquaintances. On the verge of a volcanic eruption in my mind, I heard the same question again. I negatively nodded and rushed towards my house.

On my way back, I encountered the newspaper vendor and a local grocery store owner. Needless to say, both of them failed to recognize me. I just wanted to reach home at the earliest and hit the bed. Meanwhile, I thought I won’t even attempt to initiate with anyone I meet during my journey towards home.

While walking, suddenly I had a thought of calling up my mom and talking to her for a while. I felt that could be the best option to soothe myself and my wicked mind that was still pestering me to the core.

I took the deepest breath of my life and called my mom. The heartache that followed was deeper than the deepest breath I just took. It happened at the following moment when my own mom responded the call saying – “Whose this?”

Stunned, I froze. Wasn’t this the most horrifying question of my life? No. The next one was worse when I asked myself – Which life am I referring to? I was lost to such an extent that I started questioning myself about my own identity.

Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I gonna go?

2. Rann.

Seldom I go for a bollywood movie with heaps of expectations and all the more rarely are they fulfilled to the entirety. Rann is certainly one of those very few.

Although I won’t say that RGV is at his best but still this one comes very close to Company and Sarkar that were his best creations so far in my opinion.

The concept of showcasing of cold wars and dirty politics is not new (remember Corporate) although the medium is. One thing is certain that RGV cannot expect media to promote this fare (they have already started criticizing it big time) but as if does it care since he is sure that masses are here to do the needful.

Coming to the experience, I would say it was an edge-of-the-seat drama. Usually thrillers are categorized as e-o-t-s. In flicks with such a sensitive subject treatment matters a lot and that’s where this one scores ten on ten. Like many of his previous movies, the camera placement (weird angles-face hiding-close ups), background score (news recite, typical slogans) and editing are first rate.

The sequence of events is breathtaking. In the game of cricket, like a batsman on the crease, each character is given footage and the best part is everyone has scored a century. There are many scenes where I could see the Madhur effect. It seemed as if disciple has taught his master but I reckon somewhere master would have already trained his disciple who turned out to be the first to implement it. Doesn’t matter me anyways.

The casting is simply stupendous. Bachchan as anticipated is impeccable. Deshmukh shines. Yadav is wasted to an extent; nonetheless he is able to create some light moments. Kapoor gives complete justice to his character. Rawal is apt. Behl is astonishing. I have never before admired his performance. Girls have nothing much to do but they don’t look out of the place. Gul, Suchitra, Neetu, Simone and Mrinal add to the fragrance. Over and above, Sudeep as Jay Vijay Malik steals the show and I won’t be surprised if he bags a few awards. I was looking for a KK (remember Vishnu of Sarkar) in him but that is something I should have not done. He leaves a lasting impact. I might just watch Phoonk-2 for him(?)

Overall, this new(s) battle is a must watch. My verdict – 8.5/10.