THE OTHER SIDE

My List : Top 10 Hindi Films of 2017

This year is memorable for shocking upsets like Kabir Khan directed Salmaan Khan's Tubelight, Imtiaz Ali directed Shah Rukh Khan & Anushka Sharma starring Jab Harry Met Sejal, Vidhya Balan's Begum Jaan, Vishal Bhardwaj directed Shahid Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan & Kangana Ranaut starring Rangoon are among 2017's big budget flops along with movies like Raabta, Machine, Ok Jaanu, etc. But few hits of some league breaking movies like Lipstick Under My Burkha, Secret Superstar, Anarkali of Aarah, Hindi Medium, Shubh Mangal Savdhan, Bareily Ki Barfi surprised everyone. Here is my list of Top 10 Movies of 2017. Feel free to give your suggestion in the comment section.

1. Jolly LLB 2: Sequel to 2013 Arshad Warsi staring Jolly LLB, this one staring Akshay Kumar is one notch higher than the first one which is a prerequisite for a sequel. Writer & director Subhash Kapoor has perfectly presented the courtroom drama in appealing and interesting way. The film not only gives entertainment but raise important questions on our judicial system.

2. Hindi Medium: It's a social comedy staring Irrfan Khan and Saba Karim. The directer Saket Chaudhary point out the lapses and corruption in our education system which has made education just a luxury for elites and snatched a chance of better education from the poor. Irrfan Khan has beautifully portrayed his role in this film.

3. Kaabil: This film was ruled out as a hit by me from its trailer and promos but after seeing it Hrithik Roshan won my heart with his performance in the film. Blind man taking revenge of his wife's death looks impossible but the way it was shown by directer Sanjay Gupta it looks real and believable which for me made this film the part of this list.

4. Raees: 'Baniye Ka Dimaag, Miyan Bhai Ki Daring' the dialogue was a hit even before film was released and another phrase 'Ammi Jaan Kehti Thi' was also become part of speech for many. Varun Dhawan even used it in his film Judwaa 2. The star quality of Shah Rukh Khan was nicely used in this film to create charisma of the character he was portraying. Nawazuddin Siddique was impressive as a cop in it and Mahira Khan received the perfect Bollywood debut with this film. The director Rahul Dholakia did a fine job.

5. Bareilly Ki Barfi: Ayushmana Khurana again shines as a small town guy after Dum Laga Ke Haisha. He played a writer in the film but portrayed Rajkumar Rao as himself which starts all the confusion. Kirti Senon give justice to her role and Rajkumar Rao was perfect in this type of commercial film also. Credits to Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari for keeping this film interesting and entertaining.

6. Tiger Zinda Hai: Yes this film sells Salmaan Khan and his chemistry with Katrina Kaif but Ali Abbas Zafar made a perfect sequel to the film whose prequel he hasn't directed by him. The RAW & ISI which were searching the absconding agents in the first part come together for a mission first time in this movie. Great action sequences and the course of story which looks believable made this film part of the list.

7. Half Girlfriend: Film is based on the Chetan Bhagat's novel of the same name. Mohit Suri who usually make incomplete love stories made lead characters Arjun Kapoor & Shraddha Kapoor to come together in the end. The film is more interesting than the novel and the beautiful songs were addition to its flavors.

8. Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya: Seriously Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya was lower in expectations from the first installation of the series Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya. Directer Shashank Khaitan has failed to bring out the romance between the lead characters Varun Dhawan & Alia Bhatt but the film was good, enjoyable and entertaining. Foot tapping songs like Tamma-Tamma, Title track and Aashiq Surrender Hua helped in the promotion of the film.

9. Begum Jaan: The film was a flop but I have chosen it for the story and performances of the lead cast. Written & directed by Srijit Mukherjee the story has a feel of the kinds of Ismat Chugtai & Sadat Hasan Manto. The period drama moves around partition and a brothel run by Vidhya Balan which came in between the border line. It reminds me of Toba Tek Singh a short story by Sadat Hasan Manto in which a mental asylum was divided by the partition.

10. Jagga Jasoos: Including another flop in this list because it was entertaining for me. Directer Anurag Basu has given this film a comic book type look which is first time for a Hindi film. Lyrical dialogues by the protagonist Ranbir Kapoor is brilliantly done. It was not boring at all but I think didn't work because it has a complex story line which don't appeal in the first go.

Many other films like Phillauri, Mom, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, Secret Superstar, Golmaal Again, Firangi, Anarkali of Aarah, Toilet-Ek Prem Katha, Bahubali 2 were also under consideration before making this list. Looking forward to 2.0, Pad Man, Aiyaary, Hichki, Veera Di Wedding, Race 3, Fanney Khan, Thugs of Hindustan, Super 30, SRK's unnamed and many more. Hope some of these make into the next years list of Best 10 films of the year.

My List : Top 10 Hindi Film Songs of 2017

Music wise this year was not so fantastic. Yes there were good Music, good singing or good lyrics but only few impresses when they form a complete song. Being a movies and music lover I keep an eye on the things going on in these fields and I found that most film makers are more concerned with foot tapping club songs to attract the youth rather than soulful melodies which become hum-able & evergreen. Here are Top 10 songs of the year 2017 according to me without any order since all are beautiful to me. Feel free to add your choice or criticize my choice.

1. Hawayein (Jab Harry Met Sejal) : It's strange but this year two Arijit Singh & Pritam combination impressed me the most. The film Jab Harry Met Sejal didn't work as excepted at the box office but its songs top the charts thanks to Lyrics of Irshad Kamil and Music of Pritam Chakraborty. Another song 'Jee Ve Soniya' sung by Noora Sisters is also my favorite, I am not including it in the list but sharing it also. Radha, Butterfly, Phurr all songs are nice.

2. Baarish (Half Girlfriend): Sung by Shasha Tripathi & Ash King the song was a hit from the day it released because of the soulful yet modern feeling of the song. It was written by Arafat Mehmood & Tanishk Bagchi. Tanish Bagchi is also the music composer of the song. Another song 'Thodi Der' sung by Shreya Ghoshal, Farhaan Saeed catches listeners attention. Both English & Hindi version of the songs are good. 'Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga' is also nice.

3. Bawara Mann (Jolly LLB 2): The film which is famous for its story and performances has this one song which I still remember in the end of the year also. Composed by Chirrantan Bhatt, the song was sung by Jubin Nautiyal, Neeti Mohan and is penned by Junaid Wasi.

4. Dil Diyan Gallan (Tiger Zinda Hai): In recent years melodies are rarely featured on Salman Khan but only those showing his swag & style. This one sung by Atif Aslam has lyrics by Irshad Kamil and is composed by Vishal-Shekhar is a perfect composition for Salman to return to this type of songs. The melody released in the last month of the year but has left a great impact on listeners.

5. Mana Ke Hum Yaar Nahin (Meri Pyari Bindu): Parineeti Chopra's singing debut was melodious in this heart touching song. The song is written by Kausar Munir and music is given by Sachin-Jigar.

6. Nazm Nazm (Bareilly Ki Barfi): The film was a surprise hit of the year and no one would have thought such a song will belong to this film. The song is composed, penned and sung by Arko Pravo Mukherjee. The album has also a version sung by actor Ayushman Khurana but that one is unmatched to the one sung by Arko.

7. Zaalima (Raees): Another Arijit Singh song which won my heart this year was Zaalima which came in start of this year. Featured on Shah Rukh Khan this song became an instant hit of the year. The female part is sung by Harshdeep Kaur. The song is composed by J.A.M.8 and penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya.

8. Roke Na Ruke Naina (Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya): Arijit Singh seems to be the singer of this year too with beautiful melodies adding to his name. The song composed by Amaal Malik & penned by Kumaar brings out the emotions of the characters in that moment of the film. Tamma-Tamma remix, Humsafar song are also good.

9. Sajna Sohne Jiha (Firangi): I never thought that Kapil Sharma staring movie song will be featured in this list but this movie surely has great music by Jatinder Shah and Jyoti Nooran's voice compelled me to select this one here. Penned by Dr. Devendra Kaafir the song is understandable even though it has Punjabi lyrics in it.

10. Meer-e-Karwan (Lucknow Central): The known song of a not so known film Lucknow Central staring Farhan Akhtar, Meer-e-Karwan describes emotions of an under trial perfectly. Sung by Amit Mishra & Neeti Mohan, it has Lyrics written by Adheesh Verma and Music composed by Rochak Kohli.

Music always remains an important part of our films. It is not wrong to say a good musical film possess better chances to fare well at the box office than a film with bad or unknown music. The year is ending but the Music has long way to go. Expecting good music in Vikram Bhatt's 1921, Rani Mukherjee's Hichki, Baghi 2, Veera Di Wedding, etc but we can't rule out the surprise entrance to this best music list of next year. For next year's best song wait till the next year. Good Bye.

Countdown 2018 #2

As the year progressed change which is constant happened. Union budget in India first time in the history merged with Railway budget and also it was presented on 1st February instead of the practice of presenting it in last week of February. ISRO touched another milestone by successfully launching 104 satellites into orbit another first by Indian Space Agency. A political thriller was triggered in Tamil Nadu with elevation of Sasikala as AIADMK president, then CM O. Paneerselvam resigned from the post and the party was almost divided in to two fractions. Governor of state ruled against Paneerselvam. Later a new CM K.Palaniswami is elected as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Famous Pakistani Cricketer Shahid Afridi announced his retirement from international cricket and this time it was final unlike his earlier announcements which he took back. In March Legislative assembly election results were announced and Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar has to leave his post to serve as Chief Minister of Goa. Sudden death of actor Vinod Khanna in April shocked the entire nation because he was among the fittest star of his time who never seen ill by his fans. Reema Lago famous Bollywood mother of 90’s also died in May. Rift in Aam Aadmi party grew stronger with another member Kapil Mishra left the party with corruption allegations on Arvind Kejriwal. It was seen as a gimmick before MCD elections of Delhi which in some way help opposition parties to do better than AAP.

Ramnath Kovind became President of India defeating Meera Kumari who was the opposition candidate. Gorkhaland agitation increased in West Bengal disturbing the state for many months. The agitation forced school, colleges closed in the region. Pakistan won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 defeating India in the finals. A Muslim Youth Mohammed Junaid was lynched by group of people in train for his religion. Such incidents never stopped since the Modi government came in power. Later in the year in December the hate filled Shambhunath Raiger killed a laborer Mohammad Ashraful on charge of Love Jihad which never happened in Rajsmand district of Rajasthan. The New India projected by Mr Narender Modi is filled with hate against the minorities and dalits which should be strongly denied by the ruling party but they seem supporting such crimes.

Lots more things happened in the year which I will look back in the next post. Good bye. Merry Christmas. God Bless India.

Sonia Gandhi - A Woman of Substance

The lady who was unknown to the masses till 1997-1998 become so popular among the people that she led her party to two consecutive historic win in the country many people believed not belonged to her. I am talking about Sonia Gandhi the outgoing president of Indian National Congress. She has left her post for elevation of her son Rahul Gandhi as the Congress party president.

Her timing to enter politics collides with the time I started following politics. It was the time Indian politics was in turmoil as the country has faced three general elections in a period of four years. Her own party which she refused to join after the death of her husband in 1991 was also at breaking point with many fractions emerging from it as the opposition for then party president Sitaram Kesri grew stronger. She joined the party after pressure from senior Congress leaders and for some other reasons best known to her. Her joining and elevation as party president resulted in Sharad Pawar, P.A.Sangma and Tareeq Anwar leaving the party to form a new one on the issue of her foreign origin. This issue remained burning topic during her first election and after many more years after that. He enjoys backlashes on her foreign origin from many even today when he completely left her country in 1983 and adorned the Indian culture from her heart.

I have seen the time of her elevation from leader of opposition against Atal Bihari Vajpayee government to the position of verge of electing Prime Minister of the country. She humbly refused to be PM of the country and gave Manmohan Singh the chance to become so who did it twice in 2004 & 2009. To step down from the post of becoming PM is her masterstroke to silence all her critics who used to say that she joined the party for that purpose. It also subside the issue of her foreign origin as the opposition shouted against the PM of a person of foreign origin. She by sacrificing the PM post silenced them for always.

She remained the powerful women of the country in all the years she was active. Despite many allegations of corruption and slur of Bofors and National Herald Case on her career she remained strong. She was behind the ideas of promoting MNREGA, Food Security Act, Land Acquisition Bill, NSA, Foerst Act, Direct Benefit Transfer, AADHAR and many other schemes and programs of Manmohan Singh era. She feels now that it’s time for her to retire but her party wants her to remain their guardian for as long as she can. She remain active or not but India and Indian politics can never forget her contribution to the country in these 19 years she was active in politics. She was the part of change India experienced in these years. Love her, hate her but you can't ignore her.

Countdown 2018 #1

2017 is coming to an end and from the current wind blowing in the nation or at least in the northern region of the country it seems that there is only Gujarat election which should be our concern. But in reality a lot has happened in the going year and many more things are there in stock for the New Year. I am starting a series today ‘Countdown 2018’ which will look back at 2017 and talk about the expectations from 2018.

Like now at the start of this year the entire nation was engulfed in the Assembly elections of 5 states which include Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand. Interestingly BJP formed the government in four out of five states in spite of winning clear majority in only two while Punjab was won by Congress. In Manipur and Goa instead of largest party which is Congress at that time governor give call to BJP to form the government and after some permutation & combination along with full on politics BJP form the government there. It was the time after demonetization effect so media was judging the results in that perspective.

From the results of UP & Uttarakhand it seems there is not much effect of the demonetization but when EVM tampering reports started coming out a suspicious & doubtful environment spread around the results. On 6th January 2017 great Indian film actor Om Puri passed away which give a sudden shock to film industry and cinema goers alike. Om Puri was not only famous in India but also in the international cinema. Academy Award also paid homage to him. His contribution to Indian Cinema will be missed.

Donald Trump sworn in as 45th President of America which was protested in many parts of US as his policies and ways are not liked by many. Padmavati protest was started from January when film shooting was stopped by Karni Sena in Jaipur. The height of this protest as we know now has banned the film in many Indian states and the release is delayed without any hope of release in coming days.

That’s all for this post will discuss more events/happening in next post. Till then good bye.

Great India to Hate India!

Great India to Hate India !

Great India to Hate India! What have we done to ourselves and why? In last three and a half years the propagandists have reduced a large population to murderers in the name of religion which has actually nothing to do with it. A Muslim laborer Afrazul Khan from West Bengal was brutally killed by Shambhunath Raiger in Rajsmand district of Rajasthan on issue of so called ‘Love Jihad’. Afrazul was attacked with ax and then burned alive by Shambhunath and his teenage nephew recorded all that was happening along with message of Shambhunath in which he shows no regret for the killing. The video is later circulated shamelessly. Think of his teenage nephew who was filled with so much hate that he can't stopped his uncle but filmed the killing.

Was this done by Shambhunath alone? The answer strangely comes to a big no because this is the result of hate mongering against Muslim population brewing in the name of Love Jihad, outsiders, terrorists, Pakistan agent, Beef eater, cow killer, etc. Both the social media and mainstream media are equally responsible for giving wind to this fire. False news is circulated through facebook and whatsapp group throughout India in a way they appear truth and thus make many believe to this false stories. Sadly many of us do take interest in these stories by further spreading them.

When before last three and a half years you heard about a mob attacking someone for keeping meat in his fridge, or for buying cattle for his dairy business, or drivers killed & hanged just for transporting cows from one place to another, or a boy murdered by a group for wearing a skull cap in train, or this recent one when a Muslim is killed just on suspicion of trying to marry a Hindu girl? Some people/political parties/organizations are trying to make you murders and you are becoming one as mutely being a spectator to all this nonsense is also equals to supporting the brutality. Invoking incidents/personalities of the past which has no one seen and which cannot be changed someone is snatching a beautiful present from you plus not letting you to think about the glorious future we all can make together as Indians.

Here counting Muslim contributions to India will also make me believe that Muslims are outsiders and did something great for the country they came while the truth is that Muslims are as much part of India as anyone else and what they did was their duty. Ignoring debates on poverty, farmers’ issues, Dalit issues, education, healthcare, police reforms will only worsen the situation of the country. By neglecting them we can hide from them but can’t solve them.

Again hoping against hope that people like Shambhunath will think about their family if not for nation before thinking of committing such crime. Till then GOD BLESS INDIA.

Hamare Paas Shashi Kapoor Nahin Hai

The iconic star of 60’s & 70’s Mr. Shashi Kapoor is no more with us. After many rumors of his death in the last one year he finally bid adieu to the world. In my growing years he was not a star to be known by our generation but early introduction to cable TV network took me to his cinema. He was among the handsome male actors of his time who enraptured the cinema goers of his time with versatility of his characters in the movies like Jab Jab Phool Khile, Dhram Putra, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Deewar, Suhaag, etc.

Who can forget calm and composed Ravi in front of angry Vijay answering all questions with just a phrase ‘Mere Paas Maa Hai’. I think most of us will remember him always by this scene. It is difficult to remember his larger than life roles in his films of heroism but we can’t forget him in movies like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Sharmeeli, Namak Halal, Suhaag, Shaan, Kabhi Kabhi, Aa Gale Lag Ja, Chor Machaye Shor, Kala Patthar, etc. He was also admired for keeping alive the Prithvi Theater by continuously working in it. Even in his last years he was keen to see plays acted in it.

He even directed many films which were critically acclaimed like Utsav, 46 Chowrangee Lane, etc. These films didn’t much succeeded in box office but to him they give creative satisfaction. He also acted in English films which was a rarity in the time he was active. He started as a child artist in his brother Raj Kapoor’s Awara and enjoyed working throughout his career. He was comfortable doing second lead or supporting actor’s role and did commendable jobs in many films with Amitabh Bachchan, Deewar, Suhaag, Namak Halal, Shaan to name a few.

His friends and co-stars remembered him as simple, polite and big-hearted gentleman and whatever I have read and seen about him I too believe he was a no tantrum star even when he worked with his juniors. In 2015 he also received the Dadasahab Phalke award which is the highest honor given to a film actor in India. You will always remain in my memory as a jovial star RIP Shashi Kapoor Ji.

Kho Rahe Hain Taare Zameen Par!

Image source : Hindustan Times

A four year old boy is accused of sexually assaulting his classmate who is also his age in school classroom and washroom in a reputed Delhi school. The news is more saddening than shocking looking at the age of the victim & accused. When Delhi police is concerned about how to deal with the case because according to section 82 of Indian Penal Code nothing done by a child below seven years of age can be considered an offence I am concerned about what prompted that child to do this.

Experts asserts that child of this age don’t understand sexual behavior than what prompted him to unbutton a girl and touch her private parts with fingers and sharpened pencil. Who is responsible for this behavior of a child? He must be reenacting something he has watched. So what environment we are giving our children to grow. Isn’t bad parenting also the reason for this?

Parents has full faith in schools and the incidents like murder of seven year old boy Pradyuman by a senior student and then this sexual assault by a 4 year old boy of his classmate is breaching that trust. If school promised full scrutiny of children either by teachers or help staff everywhere in the school premises than how such incidents is possible? How two students of a junior class left alone in the classroom and why no one noticed a boy in girl’s washroom? It is negligence & lethargy on part of school.

Parents & schools need to coordinate together in giving fearless, free environment to the children. I am still unable to understand why a 4 year child acted that way. He must be counseled and the reason for his behavior should be made public for other parents to understand their mistakes. The incident is disturbing for us as a society also. We are so much detached to our children to understand and aware of things going inside their innocent minds.

He is anyway a child. Does he understand what he did? Is giving any punishment to him solve the purpose? His thoughts must be scrutinized and the issue must be dealt sensibility. We should have cordial relationship with our children to know them fully. I am not a parent but still hurt and disturbed from this news and knew many like me would be concerned with this incident. This is a warning sign and we must take it seriously to know where we are going wrong as a parent, school and society.

Ek Judge Ki Maut!

If this news can’t raise your eyebrows and instill fear in you nothing can. If a judge constitutionally responsible for giving justice and who has and the people around him have some protocols to follow died in such a mysterious way how much our lives are important? I am talking about the recent story of The Caravan Magazine by journalist Niranjan Takle of death of Judge Brijgopal Harkishan Loya who was presiding over Sohrabuddin Encounter Trial in which BJP President Amit Shah was an accused then because after his death on 1st December 2014 Amit Shah was removed from all the charges by the new judge on 30th December 2014.

Neither I nor the report accusing anybody but the procedure followed and things happened after his death. It was reported that he was died of a cardiac arrest while he has no previous history of any heart ailment. Secondly his postmortem was conducted without informing his family about his death and his body was taken to his village instead of Mumbai where he lived with his wife & son. Nobody knows why this happen and nobody ever ordered any inquiry in the matter. There are many other things which was neglected or not probed by any agency. Many questions are unanswered like:

Why police or any other person informed justice Loya's family about his death?
A person claiming his cousin (Chachera Bhai) who signed his postmortem report and claimed body from the hospital is not known to the family. Who was he? Where was he when Loya's body reached his village?
Why only Judge's driver transported body alone to his village? Where were other two judges accompanied him to the marriage of a fellow judge's daughter in Nagpur?
Why Justice Loya's shirt has blood stain on it?
No police report, no panchnama. Why?
How an RSS worker was aware of the death and what was his role in all this.
Why from a VIP lodge of Nagpur where he was staying along with many other high profile guests he was carried to hospital in an auto rickshaw?
Who suggested that hospital which have non working ECG unit?

These and many other points are raised by the family in conversation to the journalist which you can read in the detail report here. (A Family Breaks Its Silence: Shocking Details Emerge In Death Of Judge Presiding Over Sohrabuddin Trial). My question is to the silence of media who was discussing ‘Padmavati’ on prime time in their Newsrooms with none other than Karni Sena. My question is also to the Supreme Court and other courts that are silent on the suspicious death of their fellow judge. We have watched this happen in movies where people who were against some politician or party leader were either killed or threatened to silence or bribed. We have the right to know what has happened in this case.

Who killed justice Loya? Because from the way all things take place it is clearly not a simple case of heart attack death but something more suspicious, mysterious and doubtful. Those who are reading this must read the detailed Caravan Magazine story which is available in both Hindi & English and must react to the incident not just to ensure Justice Loya’s family that we are with them but to ensure ourselves that Victory lies ahead of fear.

Reality and Rating

Job creation is at all time low, small business are gasping for breath, Make in India has not shown any significant investment and projects like Skill India and Startup India failed to benefited those for which it was made. Malnutrition deaths are on the rise because after Aadhar linking, only one whose thumb impression is registered is eligible to receive food but when they are bed ridden or thumb mark is unacceptable by the machine for any reason they are unable to get these items. Farmers’ suicide is also on rise but what they are boosting is their improvement in Moody’s rating.

I would be more than happy if reality somewhere matched that rating or even there is talk in nation about some development or human life improvement programs. Sadly what the nation is concerned about right now is history of Padmavati and whether our government should let this movie run or ban it. Other concerns include Ram Mandir (favorite election issue for more almost 30 years now), Triple Talaq, Hardik Patel sex CD, etc. More shocking is absence of ‘Development Model’ from the election of that state which gave us a Prime Minister who only boosted ‘Gujarat Model ‘of development.

It is disheartening that businesses are going down, jobs are not generating and the nation is run by futile Whatsapp and Facebook propaganda. Many people actually believe the rumors spread through these social media platform as true which is further deepening the divide between Hindus and Others (as they called to Muslims and Christian). I know my small article won’t change anything but I will keep on sharing my grief on national integrity breaking to put forth my concerns. Till next post God Bless India.

Amritsar & Wagah Border Trip

Amritsar is the city of Golden Temple the sacred pilgrimage for Sikhs. The area around is recently developed beautifully to promote tourism by renovating it with related themes and including some modern day structures which compliment the place nicely. Historical Jalianwala Bagh where Britishers fired mercilessly on innocent Indians also lies in that area and it now has a monument as a remembrance to those who killed in that massacre. Another important thing in the area is Partition Museum build inside Town Hall which encloses memories of partition with having things donated by people effected by the tragedy along with the historical accounts of that time. But photography is not allowed inside the museum.

Monument build outside Jalianwala Bagh

Memorial inside Jalianwala Bagh

Well in which people jumped to escape death but instead died.

Wall with Bullet holes marked with white paint.

Newly developed market.

Raja Ranjit Singh's Statue.

I also visited Ranjit Singh Panorama Museum which housed weapons of Ranjit Singh army and has some depictions of Raja Ranjit Singh's life through painting and models. There is also Gobindgarh Fort which you must visit for the 7D film on life of Raja Ranjit Singh and other cultural activities. Finally I went to Wagah Border by auto that took only Rs 120 for to and fro from Wagah border which I think is reasonable looking at the time they wait. Even if you reach early you can't get the best seats which is reserved for VIPs. I hate this culture even in a place controlled by Indian army.

Town Hall having Partition Museum

Zamzama - Canon at Gobind Garh Fort

Statue showing Khalsa Martial Art

Gobindgarh Fort from outside

Raja Ranjit Singh Panorama Museum

Model showing Gold covering of Harmandir Sahib

Pakistan side is clearly visible from the place I was seating. The patriotic flavor of the area is unmatched with patriotic songs and then beating retreat by the soldiers. You can have glimpse of both the sides if sitting at a suitable place. The beating retreat ceremony ended when both the sides take down there flags. That was a beautiful experience. I have some pictures of all the places which were allowing photography which I have shared here.

Wagah border visitors stand

Border gate

Closed border gates

Wired

News website The Wire has left entire BJP and central government running to defend Jay Amitbhai Shah son of Bhartiya Janata Party president Amit Shah. According to website report by journalist Rohini Singh the turnover of a company owned by Jay Amitbhai Shah increased 16,000 times over in the year following the election of Narendra Modi as prime minister and the elevation of his father to the post of party president, filings with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) show.

It is not shocking that relatives of people in power always show increase in their wealth but it is blow to voters imagination when happened in the vicinity of high rank leader and close aid of Prime Minister who proclaimed ‘Na Khaunga Na Khane Dunga’ (Neither will I eat nor I let others eat) regarding corruption money. Before any clarification from Jay Shah or his company, union Rail Minister Piyush Goel had seen announcing defamation case of Rs 100 cr against the website. Later many spokesperson, ministers also seen defending Jay Shah on TV or social media. The episode reminded me a previous incident of Robert Vadera (son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi) land deal expose in which all Congress party was doing the same. It is notable that same journalist exposed Robert Vadera story.

The prime minister who is too vocal regarding each issue when remain silent in corruption connected to own party make me lost the trust in his ability of showing clean politics. Why didn't he set an example to announce inquiry into the matter. Sadly his 'Mann Ki Baat' never audible in such matters. Neither in earlier allegation of Vyapam Scam by Madhya Pradesh government nor Lalitgate controversy involving Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhra Raje. His silence also irked during violence by cow vigilantes or dalit abusing. It is possible that story has another side too and party instead of defending Jay Shah with defamation case reveal that side of the story if any. I salute Rohini Singh and The Wire for bringing in that story when most of the media is boot licking the government. Jay Amit Shah, Amit Shah and Modi government has to come out clean from the controversy to regain the lost trust in them. Till then God Bless India.

RIP Kundan Shah

Not all become like Yash Chopra, Prakash Mehra, Aziz Mirza, Shyam Benegal, etc who are famous and adored by today’s generation but there are also people like Kundan Shah who with one or two hit films has left an impression on the film industry as well as on movie goers. Kundan Shah is not known to the people of today’s generation probably because he didn’t have much public appearances in recent years neither he directed mega budget movies of 80’s and 90’s which telecast on movie channels regularly.

But you must watch the film he directed ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’ (1983). This slapstick comedy will show you his brilliance of film making. Acted by respected actors Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Satish Shah, Pankaj Kapoor among others shows the corruption in politics, bureaucracy and the media. The film is evident for present time also. I can’t forget the ultimate comedy scene of a Hindi film i.e The Mahabharta scene in the movie. It is as they say nowadays ROFL (Rolling on Floor Laughing) moment. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa is also worth mention among the film he directed. This film starring Shah Rukh Khan in one of the best character of his career shows the Hero the protagonist as a loser which is a rarity in Bollywood. Another film Kya Kehna staring Priety Zinta which talks about single parenthood is also a milestone in his career also among the defining role in Preity Zinta’s film career.

Later he also directed few more movies with Bobby Deol, Shekhar Suman, Priety Zinta, Rekha, but they didn’t work like his earlier movies and I think he didn’t directed any movie after that. He is also famous for directing Nukkad a famous Doordarshan serial along with Waghle Ki Duniya, both the serial were critically acclaimed as well as successful commercially. Everyone in this film industry gets what he/she deserves but we should respect each contribution which has decorated film industry with a different flavor.

I am also not remained his greatest of fans but his death as showed me his importance in the film industry with films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Kya Kehna which also compel me to write this tribute to him. I wish him a magnificent after life. Rest In Peace Sir.

Mahabharta scene from Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro