Nothing Lasts Forever

"You are still not listening to me. I have ten more minutes and then I have to be at home." Zeba said, still glaring. It wasn't that she didn't like Varun, it's just that her home wasn't the kind of home you'd go telling someone about. Her mom would kill him and more importantly her, if she brought him home. And Zeba was the first person to tell you she got enough drunken late night beatings from whatever boyfriend her mom happened to drag home that night. She loved him, even though he always got under her skin and pissed her off. She looked at her watch, hell bent on not giving in, but with each passing second, her resolve grew weaker.

Varun watched Zeba. He knew she couldn't hold out much longer. He also knew that she was the most stubborn chick in Mumbai. He'd complained about this fact a million times to his older brother Siddarth, who'd encouraged him not to give up. He'd explained it as, "Chicks, bro, chicks just have to know that you'll be there, no matter what. Especially Zeba." Everytime Varun thought of  all the hurt Zeba went through everyday, his resolve to stay with her would become stronger.

Zeba heard something she couldn't argue with. He blurted out her biggest secret and used it against her. Hearing from someone else what she has to go through at home, brought out a rush of emotions she wasn't equipped to deal with. Zeba was the type of girl who pushed down her anger and fear and hatred, seething in it, until it consumed her and then she would go bonkers. But lately, she has had a harder time diffusing. She blamed Varun and her growing attraction to him for this. Cursing loudly, she ran past him screaming "WHAT PART OF 'NO' DIDN'T YOU UNDERSTAND?"

Zeba went to her home where as usual she saw her mom with another guy. She was pissed but had no clue what to do. On such ocassions, she found peace in praying. She would pray for hours, asking Almighty to rid her off her problems and keep her sane, till she fell asleep.

She woke up with a very bright light outside the window. She saw Varun standing outside. She opened the window, hair flying with the wind, a cold shiver shaking her body a little.

What Goes Around, Comes Around

'Look your enemies straight in their eyes. Let fear overcome them. Let them know that death is near. Oh yeah, if they keep staring at you, gouge out their eyeballs and eat them. Then fuck them. And once you are done fucking them, fuck them some more. Let everyone know that we are the shit. A shattered world is what they will get when they mess with us. Just make sure you lot save your assholes from them unless you want your anal cherry popped. Tonight we get revenge. Tonight we finish what I started years back. Tonight we kick the fucking invaders out of our land. Tonight 'The Partisans' shall taste the ultimate victory.' Rannvijay, the leader of The Partisans, wraps up his speech and heads into his tent.

Partisan #1: Man, that was some speech by RV. Can you feel the blood flowing in your veins? I feel as if I snorted a whole kg of blow into my nose. Im psyched.

Partisan #2: What a speech. If I liked cock, RV and I could be something.

Partisan #1: Stop it, you despo. I don’t get it. You’re a good looking guy, you could get girls. Once we are victorious, you can have any piece of ass you desire.

Partisan #2: I wonder what made RV so determined and cruel. You know every person is born with emotions. Only when your life goes through turmoil, your emotions go for a toss and you become less human.

An old partisan joins them.

Old Partisan: Well, I have been with Rannvijay since he started this rebellion against the invaders. I remember him as a kid. Always playing and messing with the other children. He was a naughty kid. But things can't always go your way. It hurts me to see what has become of him.

People start to crowd and urge the old partisan to tell them the entire incident.

The partisan takes his time and sits in a cross legged manner facing his younger companions. He lights a pipe and then starts telling them the true story of Rannvijay's past.

A Good Day Gone Bad

My name is Ibrahim Khan. This was the start of it all, the end of my career, the end of my life. It was just another day of my life. Sometimes, life gets boring. Same story every day. It’s a nightmare. The day started as usual with the alarm clock ringing annoyingly. I got up. As a matter of fact, I sprang back to life to live my nightmare for yet another day. I have to keep going. I have expectations. I have these high goals that I have set for myself. I have to be among the elite club of the society. I need appreciation for the work I do. And I demand respect for the person I have become. I try to grab the cornflakes that is at the top of the cupboard. I'm just able to touch my fingers when I lose my balance and fall down. Well as they say, sometimes the goals you set for yourself can be too high and trying too hard to reach them can be dangerous. However, in the end, what matters is the result.

I manage to get the box of cornflakes, with a bleeding nose, only to find it empty. Ah, this is life. The power of getting up after failures is what make you a real survivor. I see a note on the fridge which reads: "We are out of cornflakes, honey. Buy some when you get home. You are in for a surprise, sweetheart. Love you always. xoxo." I have orange juice. Lock the door behind me. I walk down the street, with my bandaged nose and greet the neighbours who politely wave back. Same story everyday. Same faces everyday. I reach the bus stop. I see the Same old lady with her dog. She politely smiles at me and I smile back. Same routine

everyday. It's like a godamned movie. Only I have seen it a hundred times before and know exactly evry second of it. And this is boring. Very boring indeed. But this is my life. This is the life I've been living for years now. And now would be a very inappropriate time to complain as I'm about to recieve a promotion which would make me the Senior Managing Director of my company.

Second Chance

Sometimes it hurts to die, sometimes it doesn't. And sometimes it hurts to just stay alive. All one needs to survive is one person who truly loves him/her.

The world is a small place, there are no true lovers, there are no soul mates. He stares at the woman who once upon a time he thought was his world. He remembered the way his fingers would curl at the soft hairs just at the nape of her neck while they made love. He had delighted in her warm skin, her sensuous laugh and her ebullience. His world was shrunk into tears now. Tears for himself, tears for his wife, tears for the woman who had made his life a prison.

Top 10 Bollywood Movies of 2011

As we are almost in 2012 and past 2011, I will list my top ten movies of Bollywood.

10. Rockstar

Rockstar is one of those movies that start with vibrant air around it but slowly and sadly fizzles into a self-indulgent drag. The movie begins with high adrenaline and then loses soul somewhere in the middle and drags the story for nothing in the end. Too much negativity in the movie for no justifiable

reason. I expected some rebellion from a movie where the lead character is supposed to be a Rockstar. Unfortunately there was no Che Guavera moment. Storyline is icy thin and highly predictable. Narrative fails to grip the audience & movie leans on some cheesy dialogue for grabbing attention. reason.

Imtiaz Ali understands the love stories to the core but this time he makes two mistakes: first he casts Nargis who need acting lessons and second he allows his indulgence to allow movie to go for extra half an hour. Don't start thinking, that you should avoid this movie. Imtiaz gives his golden touch to first half of the movie and plays the master stroke by casting Ranbir Kapoor as the central protagonist.

Coming to the acting department, Ranbir Kapoor shows us his versatility by portraying the role of Janardhan Jhakad (JJ) aka Jordan. His performance is commendable. He effortlessly pulls off the innocent and naïve Janardhan and the attitude man Jordan. The film deals with the transition of an aspiring artist who idolizes Jim Morrison into a famous rockstar. You might expect this movie to be a conventional love-story but this it is not. An artist's life reflects in his music and this has been captured efficiently in this movie. I was expecting the role to be explored from different angles like drugs,abuse etc but love was the only element used. A bit dejected but this element along with the catalyst Jordan rocked the movie. But above all, this movie belongs to Ranbir Kapoor who gives more than a riveting performance. As J.J he is lovable and as Jordan he is irresistible. He makes you feel the pain of being in love in every scene he is in. The image and persona of a rock star fit Ranbir perfectly and he pulled off the attitude and music in style. I hope he wins the Best Actor for his performance. Nargis had a horrific debut. Shammi Kapoor was ok. After Ranbir, it was Piyush Mishra who was amazing in his short role.

The saving grace of the movie is without a doubt is its Music. A.R. Rahman has done a commendable job and you are left with a number tunes stuck in your head. Mohit chauhan has done a great great job as voice of RK. Rahman's rocking music and Mohit's golden voice are the integral parts of the story and help the movie whenever direction and editing falters. The movie is packed with witty dialogues and soulful moments. Far from perfect piece of cinema, this is one of the most poignant piece of bollywood cinema. Go and experience the Rockstar from the hands of Imtiaz Ali who keeps on exploring the different dimensions of love. Conventional stereotypical movie-goers who prefer lovey-dovey stories will find this movie a bit unconventional. For the rest this movie is an

absolute treat.

7/10

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!!

All my joy goes out to you today
I am thankful the Almighty sent you my way.
Together there is nothing we cannot do
And this day is another oppurtunity to say 'I Love You'.