Welcome to Bombay - The City of Dreams!!!

Took this pic at BKC just outside my office. Rather odd placement of the zebra crossing, isnt it?

Uhh....looks like chicken WILL get to cross the road after all!!!

Some things just dont change, do they?? (Pic Courtesy : Mid-Day)

Ho Hum!!!

Today, I logged onto blogger, hoping to upload a couple of good photos I had managed to click during the week. However, to my dismay, found that for some odd reason, Blogger was just refusing to upload my photos. God knows why!!! The browser would simply stop dead, just like that!!! So, I thought, let's write a post with words.

Phew!! There!! I made the decision. Now comes the hard part. What do I write about? Coz the problem is that my life has become so predictable, of late, that hardly anything of note occurs. I could write about how I fumed and fretted at my seniors' inability to understand what I was saying. I could write about how I went to office for another Saturday, while my friends sat at home and made merry. I could write about how good it felt to finally drive after spending a whole week staring at the stupid computer screen. Well.....I guess you get the drift.

But, is anything I mentioned worth blogging about? I guess I could say something about the book I am currently reading. Maximum City by Suketu Mehta. Yeah....good idea!!!

Well...the book somehow caught my attention at the Strand Book Exhibition. I suddenly caught sight of a book that boldly announced that it was about "Bombay". It looked like a fairly new publication and still, the cover dared to call the city Bombay. I thought to myself that any book which refers to "Bombay" is worth a second dekko. On an impulse, I bought it. When I started reading it yesterday, I wasn't disappointed. The author seems to take you through his life in Bombay. He tells you how he spent his childhood here, how he used to play at the Oval Maidan, go for walks with his fiancee at Marine Drive, have bhel with her at Chowpatty. Damn it, it all seems so eerily familiar!!! Of course, the only difference being, I am yet to find a girlfriend, let alone a fiancee!!! I have only finished a few pages, as of now, but the book seems to be good. I am hoping that the author's romance with Bombay continues.

As for me, I will probably be back with a review of "Being Cyrus" next weekend. Until then,

CIAO.

Yummy!!!

Autocar, March 2006 issue, on the Maserati Quattroporte.

"She is a gorgeous feast for the eyes, full of voluptuous curves. Pure automotive porn!!!"

I am already drooling!!!!

13 Years of Freedom

On this day, thirteen years ago, I was in school (I think it was the IVth standard). The time was around 4 pm and we were looking forward to the Games period, which was the last one scheduled for the day. Suddenly, the school buses arrived in a hurry and we were all whisked off in a hurry. No one was prepared to tell us what was going on, not the teachers, not the bus driver or cleaner. Finally, at home, the TV proved to be the informer. There had been a series of bomb blasts in the city..........

For many days after that, my parents continued to talk about the incident. About how grave it was and how the perpetrators of this heinous act should be brought to justice. At that time, the gravity of the situation never hit me. Today, when I look back at that time, I can only ask myself one question, "Why???" Why Bombay, why the innocent people? I have still not found an answer to this question.

However, there is one outcome of these blasts for which I am certainly thankful to the perpetrators. The bombs have only succeeded in weaving together the complicated fabric of Bombay even more tightly. Not only since, have people realised the futility of rising against each other, but they also actively dissuade others from indulging in the same mindlessness. In short, the spirit of Bombay lives on.

People often ask me where is this spirit visible. If you ask me, it was there in 1993 also. A friend of mine, NI, told me about a statistical hoarding. On 12th March, 1993, there were 12 bomb blasts in Bombay. On 13th March, 1993, office attendance was at 93%.

I rest my case.

Eeks....no local!!!!

This is one of the scariest sights in Bombay, even at 11:52 pm!!! Needless to say, when a local finally arrived....aargh!!!!

Ahh...the rains!!! They sure brought some relief from the dreaded heat and humidity. Parts of the pics are smudged due to security concerns.

CRASH!!!

Was returning home from office last Friday night, when I chanced upon this at Churchgate. OUCH!!!!

Dire Warnings!!!

Saw this sight a few days ago at the VT junction, just outside the Municipal HQ. Should be good enough to keep this Maserati in check!!!!

Taxi No. 9211 - A Review

Went for Taxi No. 9211 today. I had heard praises about the movie from most of my colleagues and hence, I decided to go and check out for myself if the movie was worth all the hype it was generating. Was I satisfied or disappointed? Well, read on!!!

The movie starts off well, introducing its 2 main characters to us in a style that is very fresh and easy to follow. Sanjay Dutt's voice has been used very effectively here. It adds that special zing to the beginning, which keeps you interested. After the introduction, which lingers around for some time, the movie picks up pace and moves at a very fast clip. Hold on tight for the ride of your life?? Well, not exactly. We are taken through a series of unfortunate events that occur in the lives of two people who are as different as chalk and cheese. That they cause the said events to occur in the other's life, adds to the confusion. Now, its time for revenge!!! The two go about trying to pull a fast one on each other, trying to make sure the other doesn't get out of this alive!!! All this in one day!! What happens in the end? I think I should let this entertainer talk for itself, from this point.

As for the performances, Nana Patekar shines in the role of the irate taxi driver. He rants and raves, he exudes just the right amount of menace. All in all, he is simply perfect. John acts as the perfect foil for him. Where Nana is crude, John is suave. This man is fast improving as an actor. Some more good movies and he will be right up there. Just one thing he needs to do fast is get rid of the "Pav - mudder fadder" accent. Otherwise, there seems to be no problem. Sonali Kulkarni, as Nana's wife deserves a mention here. In a small role, she manages to put the point through that it is we who create our own battles. In her, we have a very fine performer whose entire range of talents lies hitherto, untapped.

Guys, oil prices are on the rise, traffic in Bombay is increasing. Do yourself and others a favour. Ride in this taxi. I am sure you will not be disappointed.