My take on Bachna ae Haseeno

I watched this movie because:
1. Ranbir Kapoor
2. I had liked Salaam Namaste (the director’s first movie)
3. I like movies with an urban setting
4. Ranbir Kapoor
5. Ranbir Kapoor


Ranbir is oh-so-perfecttt!!

Minisha looks old, till now I had found her cute and sweet. But in this one she looks wrinkled and not fresh, so to speak.

Bipasha looks smart in her hot pants. After interval she looks vulgar in a few scenes.

Deepika ohhh fugget it. Ugh

I liked the concept of going back and asking for forgiveness and doing whatever it takes to get it. It is a huge task requiring a lot of gumption and sincerity.

Ranbir likes Deepika (double ugh)

In the title track, Deepika looks as though she is blind and is just smiling without knowing where to look. Whatever.

The kisses are nice. Don’t look clumsy. Sweet, sexy and genuine.

The style and panache of a Yashraj movie is intact.

A fun movie. Watch it for the entertainment value.

Family get together - Had a blast and how!

15th, 16th and 17th of August 2008, my paternal side family had gathered at Solapur for the Pasali and a short fun trip. Home to my fuias and Pa & kaka living there, Solapur has always been a place we look forward to visit.
The preparations had begun much earlier on. Each family had been asked to perform. Everybody had been busy - shopping, rehearsing, spending hours in beauty parlours, buying gifts, preparing sweets and the works.....
Our meetings, program preparations, menu, scheduling programs had been following up on long distance calls to and from Solapur. The frenzy and tempo was building up.
i was doubly excited because of the drive :D. Was so enjoyable in the rains. Ma and J thought it was too risky. Poor souls, when Pa and me are decided on something, can anybody change it :) Pa was as excited as me because it was the first time, he was driving in the town, gullies and chowks he had grown in. He proudly drove it to his friends' places he had grown up with. Every morning when we would go to sleep after playing teen patti (man played like crazy, everybody from Ma to Priyal), talking whole night, he would just take the car and a companion and go to Siddheshwar lake, temples, Budle Gully and places he had memories of. Love you Pa for the child like happiness you found in it.
The queues to the loo, the insistence on using the same dressing table in a big house, complimenting each other for dresses, sharing clothes, was what brought us closer. Time table was put up in each room so that everyboody knew when to be ready.
We directly drove to the farm on the 15th where had the traditional Marathi jevan (loved by my fuias, Pa, J. i personally dont like it that much), played games, ate oos (sugarcane), peru (guava). Next day celebrated Raksha Bandhan traditionally in the morning. Pa and Kaka getting rakhis tied first, the younger fuias touching their feet and brothers giving their cash envelope. Then it was the turn of our generation - me, J, Priyal, Mital, Maitri tying rakhis on Rohan, Chinku-Pinku, Niket's wrists. Rohan gave us cash and Niket trendy bags. Yippee...Then the next generation tied rakhis - our cousin's kids -Devansh, Hetvi, Rushil and Mohnish.
Had lunch and started getting ready for the evening program. At City Park Hotel, performances ranged from speeches, dance performances, Antakshari, Star Parivaar Awards, Patriotic song rendition. Had good fun. Our team won in Antakashari, all thanks to me, in all humility ;). The best beta award won by Harish Kaka, best bahu by Ma, best youngster by Chinku. Wooo hooo.... All my favourite people.
The highlight of the evening was the slide show. Rohan had collected everybody's pictures - old, new, eccentric, funny. The sequence was childhood, youth, wedding, kids, everybody together of the physically present and Shradhanjali to the soulfully present.
Whistled, laughed at the young photos of elders, flung kisses at Adha's photos, cried at Jijaji's photo, it was all too overwhelming. Everybody was missing Adha, Pragnesh Jijaji, Bai, Gunvanti Fuia. Crying for their Wife, Husband, Grandpa, Father, Mother, Son-in-law, Sister. A 31 minute show of just slides of photos can do that to you. Danced to the tunes of the DJ Rohan playing songs on our laptop.
On Sunday, the 17th, had a photographer clicking pictures of everybody. The photo session. Women wore Bandhani sarees (oh so beautiful), men in churidar kurta (oh so dashing). Was fun. Everybody getting ready as if were going to be on the cover of PEOPLE, TIME, VOGUE magazines. Of course, the memories were much more precious and valuable.
Had free time after that. Pramila fuia started her Tarot Card Reading. Man, the counter was so successful. Everybody asking questions like - will I be a big industrialist, will my son have a good health, will my daughter get a good, rich husband, will I top the university. Some happy faced, some hopeful faced came back with more questions. The ladies went out shopping. Can a trip end without a shopping extravaganza? Never with the Gala's.
Most of them left by train that night. Went to the ticket counter to get 7 platform tickets. The ticket guy must be wondering how many are actually going then??? Came back and gifted Kaka for completing 50 years in June, Chinku -Pinku for successfully passing their 12th and Rohan just like that :)
The drive back was even more exciting with stop overs at Lonavala for chai and shopping for Fudge and admiring scenic beauty. The drive on the express highway was crazy. Though sped only to a maximum of 120.
All in all, good fun. Shall create something great every year.
Three cheers to the Gala family. Hoorayyyyy!!!!

The Wallet. The Secret. The Miracle.

Happy and feeling victorious, I put my bag on the TV table as soon as I entered the house even before removing my footgear. And a few things spilled out of my bag and immediately I realised that I hadn’t zipped up my bag after the last dealing with the bag. I don’t know what made me do that but I immediately checked for my wallet. I checked the bag, emptied it of all its belongings, checked the shopping bags and there was no sign of the wallet. A sharp, pointed blow of fear was rising up my belly and it became clear that the wallet was missing. Ma was inside, J talking on the phone. I asked J to check the bag again and ran down the stairs as if a wild cheetah was following me to look for it near the wing. The rain had thickened at that point. I went down looking for the wallet at every step as if it were a mustard seed. I walked quickly to the gate, looked around staring at rickshaws and rickshawwalas, trying to place the cycle rider and the auto driver. The autos were slowing down in the hope of getting a passenger. I walked back, looked around the wing area and went back thinking that the wallet might be lurking out from some corner of my bag.

I saw the small streaks of panic growing on Ma’s face when I got back. Everybody checked as much as could be checked. I looked down from the window to see if anybody was in sight to give the wallet back. Because as the events had unfolded, it seemed likely that either the rickshawwala or the cyclewala must have seen it or even picked it up. With absolute faith in humanity and goodness, I was expecting to get back together with my favourite wallet, my recent purchase. Ma went downstairs to check and I followed her. We stopped at the same places where I had stopped before. I was telling her the details of how things had unfolded. The quiver in my voice was making her worried for me. I was standing at the gate of my building, waiting, nervous, helpless. Ma took me by my arm and tried to reassure me. She held my hand and we walked back home.

The fact that the wallet was indeed gone finally registered.

When I was back to thinking calmly, I remembered the contents of my wallet –
Kotak Mahindra Debit Card
1st class Railway Pass (expiring on 04th September)
PAN Card
Driving license
A prayer card
A Rs. 500 note
Few Rs. 100 notes
Some coins
Shiamak Davar’s ID Card
Pantaloons Green Card

Pa had gotten up from his bed by that time. I settled down on a chair near the dining table and rounds of advices, rebukes and sympathies followed. I immediately asked Pa the procedure of blocking my Debit Card. Called up the toll-free number and told the Kotak Mahindra Bank representative Vishal to block it. He immediately processed the request and confirmed the last transactions with me. Thankfully, it was all safe so far. Thanks to the technology and prompt, expert assistance, I was relieved of further monetary loss.

I asked the representative about the procedure to get a new card. He said he will have to take a new card request and it would be delivered to me in next 7 working days. I wanted to ensure that I have the card soon. Realised have become dependent on this card that gave me financial independence J. So, I immediately asked for another card. Vishal warned me that once I make a request for a new card, the existing card (even if received back) cannot be unblocked. Or alternatively, I could wait for 24 hours and make a request after that. Without any second thoughts of waiting for my lost card, I applied for a new one. More than anything else, I wanted to be on the safer side. The hopes of getting my card back looked flimsy. I had mentally prepared myself to accept the bitter truth. I was already missing my wallet. And I realised how much attached I was to it and how much proud I was to own it. It was gone now.

It was 2315 hours. Ma & J asked me to have my dinner. I had the bland Pulav without making a fuss about it (as if I could). I decided from that moment onwards - I’ll mend all my untowardly ways and be one obedient, responsible person. The Bai had not turned up yet again and so I decided to help Ma with the chores. But before that, I just felt the urgent need to write.

Write about the thankfulness of receiving my wallet back. Write about how I would narrate this tale to my friends at work. I wanted to see the magic of The Secret at work. I gave out signals to the universe that I want to or rather I am united with my wallet. I said thanks for getting it back, hence turbo charged my desire. And I said it with absolute faith and total joyousness. I completely believed in the fact that it can reach back to me even though at that moment, logically it seemed unnatural. I did not mention how is it going to be or what contents should be retained. I just wanted the wallet back unconditionally.

I sensed a smile forming on my face after writing it.

I quickly shut down the computer and went about with the helping. Without telling anyone and slowly forgetting about it, I continued with the chores. But somewhere at the back of my mind, I was definite that it is materialising. Before writing, we were calculating the hassles and money that would go into getting the things back. It all came to about Rs. 2,500 what with driving license, PAN card, railway pass, Debit Card re-issuance fee and the hard cash lost. Pa was reassuring me that it is still much lower than the loss of his Rs. 13,000 mobile phone. (Pa had lost his a couple of weeks back). I very meticulously put the papers required for a duplicate driving license in my bag as I would require it for the long drive to Solapur coming up soon. I was accomplishing the long procrastinated task of submitting the photos and documents for account opening in HDFC Bank since October 2007 (the time I joined). I carried on with my work. Ma had calmed down a bit but she was still very negative about the whole thing. Looking at it as a whole rather, she was saying that times are just not turning in our favour. I had objected to it saying why you inviting bad times by letting out the thoughts, based on such a small incidence. She didn’t say anything after that, but she was not convinced to let go of the negativity.

At around 0010, I was in the kitchen when my cell phone rang. I just picked it up plainly without any bloated hopes. And as the seconds between my hello and the words from the caller were progressing, I was getting anxious. Maybe The Secret has come out with a verdict and my prayers are being answered!!! The conversation that ensued was something like this –
Dishpa: Hello
Caller (Female): Hello, Kya aapka naam Dishpa hai
D: Haa
C: aapka wallet kho gaya hai?
D: haa haa….
C: Kya aap mujhe issi number pe call kar sakte hai?
D: Ok ok…

Jumped up in joy. Everybody had already gathered around me and were trying to get in on the who, where, what of the call and the whole thing. I felt triumphant.
Called the dialed number from the landline.

D: Hello…main Dishpa bol rahi hoon. Wallet ke liye. Aapki awaz clear nahi aa rahi(Disturbance in phone grrr….)
D: Main aapko kahan milu, wallet kaise collect karu?
C: DhanLaxmi dukan ke baaju me hamara phool ka dukan hai.
D: Dhan Laxmi dukan kidhar hai?
C: 90 feet road pe. Siddhivinayak mandir ke nazdik.
D: Main kitne baje kal aau?
C: Jab bhi aapko convenient ho
D: Aap milenge na?
C: Haa…Main idhar baju me hi kaam karti hoo. Aap aa jao kabhi bhi
D: Ok, toh main 9 baje aati hoon. Thanks again. Aapko kaise mila wallet
C: Mere Papa ko aapki building ke paas mila hai
D: Ok, ok. Thanks.

All along there was a lot of disturbance in the phone. I could hardly hear her. I somehow managed to confirm the minimal details.

The few moments after I hung up the phone were a blur. I couldn’t believe that my wallet still bore the tag of my belonging and was only in a temporary possession of somebody else. I told family about whatever little details transpired from the talks. It took a while to believe that The Secret had worked and shown results so promptly. Actually I had got more than I had asked for. But that’s how it always has been for me. I always get more and will continue getting more.

Ma said alright even if you have got the wallet does not mean that you can now be your careless self again. God has given you a chance to get responsible. And the sounds were just dashing on my ear lobes not making any sense. Silently, I was wondering at the miracle that had just happened in my life. A clear signal the Superior Power had given me. I felt my connection with the universe is really strong and direct.

I am reproducing here what I had written as an affirmation.
05\08\2008

I got my black wallet purse back. I am so thankful to God for giving it back to me. It is so dear to me. I am treasuring it very keenly. Only You could make this possible. You don’t know or rather know how much I wanted this wallet back. Thanks a hundred tons for giving it back to me.

I know God that you are making its way back to me. Thank You so much for this. I love You God and I am always careful about this. I am responsible and care taking.

I am so sure.

Pa was happy and he too was of the opinion that you really have a strong connection with Him and can get what you want. I found myself walking four inches above the ground but at the same time felt one with the universe, humble and giving. We were then analysing and discussing the how’s and what’s of the phone call. The picture coming around was that the phoolwala i.e. cyclewala had deliberately picked up the wallet with the intention of robbing me of it. Because if he noticed it after the rickshaw went away, it was very clear that nobody else but I was the owner. Also, the amount of time taken to make the call made us suspicious. The unanswered question was why he decided to give it back then. Tried using logic that maybe his daughter who had called made him do that. Lots of theories were floating around, nevertheless I was just happy that my faith was reaffirmed. Also, I was experiencing this sense of perfectness and postivity creating an aura around me. And I didn’t want to dilute it with the negativities, however small they were.

I went to sleep thinking I’ll get up early and start a new life, almost.

Again, it was raining mildly when Pa and I left home to get my wallet back. We took an auto to reach the place. We had decided that we’ll meet at the Siddhivinayak temple since I couldn’t figure where Dhanlaxmi store was. I called her once before leaving. She said, you please come down to my work place which is near my residence. I asked the address. She explained it and gave the phone to her boss who again explained it to me by giving me the landmarks of DTDC Courier and a tiles store.

We asked the auto driver to slow down as that side of 90 feet road began. I first got down at a place a little farther than the destination. All the while kept calling this girl and her boss kept talking with me. After the last call, this guy got a little pissed about me not being able to find the place, as I had called him for the fifth time when we got there. The office was on a loft. I looked around and saw a young fellow motioning us towards the office. We climbed up. 2 girls, a middle aged man and a young man were working. Middle aged man seemed to be the boss. It was some furniture workshop.

I introduced myself. One of the girls was holding my wallet. She was beautiful, delicate, fair. She gave it to me immediately and asked me to check the contents. I said Thank you without bothering to check it. I started talking aimlessly, my mind wandering from one thought to another haphazardly. I told her again and again how grateful I was to get my wallet back. More than the money, I was concerned about the other things. On their insistence and Pa’s recommendation, I opened both the pockets of the wallet. Just glanced over the IDs and cards and took out the Rs. 500 note. I told Pa to give them the money in Kutchi. He asked me to go ahead. I handed out the money to the girl. By this time, her mother also had appeared. She denied vehemently. In order not to make her feel any less, I pleaded her to accept it. I said, this is just a small way of saying thank you. She said, you just say thank you and that is enough. I told her don’t take it as money; take it as just a token of appreciation. I told Pa to help me. He said; take it, she just wants to thank you. Then that girl took the money. We asked her how her father got the wallet. She said the same thing - it was lying outside your building.

All along the boss kept on jabbering. I wasn’t paying much attention to all that. Some of the things, he said were –
“pehle aap sab check kar lijiye”
“aaj kal ke zamane me koi aisa wallet lautata nahi hai”
“nahi, nahi paisa imp nahi hai, aap ne itna socha wahi bahut hai”
“achcha aapko itna ichcha hai toh inke daddy ko hi de do”
“aaj kal koi aisa appreciate nahi karta hai”
“aap log achche hai iske liye”

We walked down feeling good. Ma called up when I reached station. Told her everything.

All this happened when I was preparing for the big family do. I went shopping to Pantaloons opposite my office. Friends ditched me, family fed up of my shopping, I was on my own. Whenever I want to shop now, I don’t worry about whether I have the money or no. My Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Debit Card is always with me. And I am very grateful and delighted for the freedom and independence it gives me.

I took a cab for Currey Road station. The cab driver was angry because before me getting in, he had a rendezvous with the traffic police. So, he was driving recklessly. Surprisingly, I was being very understanding and accepting of his behaviour. I took out the money from my wallet and paid him, put the change back in the wallet, wallet in the bag and dropped off.

While sitting in the train, I put my shopping bags in my office bag, so that I don’t have to be careful about too many things, what with my big umbrella looming over me. When I alighted at Ghatkopar station, it was raining moderately. I got into a rickshaw from the Patel Chowk temple. There were too many people scrounging for rickshaws so I considered myself lucky to have got one immediately and smartly. The rickshawwala looked like a simple man, not-very-shrewd-in-money-matters types.

I took out a 10-rupees note from my wallet when I was a corner away from my building. I had become a bit conscious about my slightly plunging neckline. As it was raining, I asked the rickshawwala to drive inside the building gate. I asked him to stop right near my wing. A man was waiting there with his cycle. He looked in his fifties. I quickly got down and ran inside to avoid getting wet. Just instinctively and out of my conditioning, I looked at the cyclewala a little suspiciously for no logical reason. I looked back again at him before rushing upstairs.

On the second floor corridor a hotel menu leaflet was lying around. I was careful enough to not step on it. But was thinking everybody is not going to be that careful. Moreover that was a piece of paper (read Saraswati) lying on the floor. My benevolent mind was asking me to pick it up and put it at a safe place where it does not come under walkers’ feet. But my lazy self was not willing to bend half way down, adjust the things in hand and pick it up. I walked up a bit. Fearing I may not get Goddess Saraswati’s blessings for disregarding Her such turned back a few steps and picked it up again. I was happy that I listened to my benevolent voice. I felt I was one step closer to being a perfect human being.
This was the background before this incident happened.

When we were discussing about the return of the wallet, I had voiced my inclination to reward them with Rs. 500. At first Ma and Pa thought that’s a bit too much. But immediately they said no, if you think that’s the right amount, then go ahead. Ma said, tara man ma aavyu chhe to bhale.

The only reason I wanted to give that money was – I wanted to encourage their step of giving it back, the step towards humanity. I wanted the faith in humanity and goodness to be alive and kicking.

Hmmm….it is a really long post. Honestly, even I became impatient as I was finishing it. But this is an important incident of my life.
One thing’s sure - In my life, whenever I’ll feel low, I’ll just read this post. I am sure this will lift my spirits and rekindle hope.

The question still remains answered. And so that makes it more like a miracle. Unexplained, illogical, this wallet story is the one memorable incident of my life.

Shopping List :))

1. N 96 (whoaaa..)
2. Guitar
3. Diamond Ring / s (??)
4. Branded Watch
By the end of 2008, I will be having all of them :) and some more.
Er....Am i being too materialistic? Well, does anybody mind? Awwrightt then!!!!!