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October 14, 2004

Deepavali Shopping Polamaa??

[Click Pic. The above pic was taken a few weeks back and hence it looks uncrowded]

With just 29 days to go for the biggest festival in India, here’s a commentary on Deepavali shopping as lived by me, a proud citizen of Chennai.

So, what do you remember when you think of Deepavali? Not Diwali. Deepavali. Pattas, Tappas, Lakshmi Vedi, Laddu, Boiler, Mullu Murukku, Seyakkai, Marundhu, New Jeans, Rajini’s pudhu padam, Mathaappu a.k.a Susuravathi, Rockets, Patti Mandram, Pottu Cape. Which one comes first?

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October 13, 2004

This weekend our whole team[a

This weekend our whole team[a huge crowd] at office is off to a ecotourism spot called Thenmala in Kerala near Trivandrum. We are taking the Thirunelveli route to catch a refreshing bath in the Indian Niagara, Kutraalam.

Thenmala, is India’s first planned Ecotourism Destination. The website boasts of this – Thenmala : “Then + Mala” , i.e. in local parlance “Then” means honey and “Mala” means hillock i.e. it mean honey hills. The honey collected from Thenmala forest region is of good quality and of high medicinal value because of the unique floristic composition of the forests. The Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary is the ecotourism resource of Thenmala.

The best part is the adventure zone that they recommend which consists of Mountain Biking and River Crossing. Not the usual River Crossing. Looks like you to hang on a rope to cross the river. Pretty adventurous, huh!!. Check out the adventure zone pics here.

We have booked a whole compartment in the train. The guys are already excited. Not to mention the whole lot of halwa shopping that is going to happen on the way back at Iruttukadai Halwa Shop, Thirunelveli. Looks like its going to be lots of fun.

Unrelated Note – This link on MIO that says Kamal Hassan’s next film is (re)named as Mumbai Express and there is already a conflict running on that. I guess it’s a rumour going around. Thanks to praveen for the pointer.
October 12, 2004

Mani Ratnam and Sachin come together

[Pic: dinamalar.com]

Sachin Tendulkar may not be playing the Chennai test against Australia. But he is certainly appearing in Mani Ratnam‘s documentary for a social organisation called Shakthi Foundation on physically challenged kids. Seems like Mani Ratnam wished Sachin to be a part of this documentary and Sachin had agreed instantly. It’s reported in today’s dailies that the documentary is set to be shot from today in Chennai.

While it came as a surprise to me as I have been looking around and guessing what will be Mani Ratnam’s next project after Aayitha Ezhuthu. And a big plus when you know Sachin is also contributing to it. I am not speculating here but only hope Illayaraja would tune for it. Then this event would be a great catalyst to bring together Mani Ratnam and Illayaraja, after a long time.

Update: The shoot is scheduled to held at SAF Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam. Thanks to Ajay for the pointer to the picture.
October 11, 2004

Bala’s Maayaavi & Shankar’s Maayaavi

[Pic: vikatan.com]

The only Maayaavi [Magicial Man] I knew was a comic hero with the same name in yesteryear tamil comics. But this one is the first film Bala’s production house B Studios. The movie will be directed by Bala‘s assosiate Singapuli.

Mayaavi teaser pics in Vikatan seem to have kindled the interest of many as Surya dressed like as an aspiring hero from a village. He looks comical with that thin moustache and that ridiculed hair style. Jyothika looks rejoiced. You know why. The ads today state the film starts shooting today with Rathnavelu handling the camera and Devi Sri Prasad on the tunes.

On the other hand, Sujatha writes in his vikatan column about the 120 cameras, one shot, different frames stunt that Shankar experiments in Anniyan. With that kind of technique, one is certain to believe that Anniyan is also a Maayaavi. The one that I referred to from tamil comics. Read more.
October 9, 2004

The Terminal Movie Review – Go Nowhere

[Pic: terminal movie]

Steven Spielberg, other than creating visual magnificence’s in his movies, has also a soft side. The last few films, spoke of it, way too much. Despite the soft side was even well known from Schindler’s List and Amistad, the last four/five films have brought out an interesting side of Spielberg. Having been inspired hugely by Spielberg films, I’ve created myself, a personality of Spielberg to be a technical showman. And Schindler’s List was nothing but a different film for this showman. But Artificial Intelligence and Catch Me If you Can broke those assumptions on him. They showed how Spielberg has grown-over the techie image. I believe, Spielberg has evolved into a style of filmmaking that allows him to take a simple story and weave it into an amazing masterpiece.

The Terminal is one such film. More than the premise of the story, the humane side stands out, clearly displaying the different arena of film making, where Spielberg now treads. The film talks about a man who gets stranded in the JFK Airport, New York because of a legal logical hole in the law. No one could do anything about it, just like Victor Navorski. He couldn’t get anywhere. He abides the law, stays in the airport terminal for months and finally gets a chance to step in the American soil. What would he do ?

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Deepavali Shopping Polamaa??

This weekend our whole team[a

Mani Ratnam and Sachin come together

Bala’s Maayaavi & Shankar’s Maayaavi

The Terminal Movie Review – Go Nowhere