Mardaani Ki Kahaani......

The promos of the movie Mardaani were hard-hitting and they focussed on the heroine Rani Mukherjee nee Chopra.The theme was human trafficking and I as usual had made up my mind to watch it on its release.I have an objection to the title though, as I don't think that just because the police officer,the chief protagonist was a strong woman she should be called Mardaani which means like a mard (man)Why can't they accept that a woman can be strong and independent and one who fights against oppressors just as any male can?To assume that being strong only means being strong like a man is stereotyping women as weak.Please give women some credit and learn to accept that women too can be and are strong, fearless and a force to reckon.
Naari is not to be considered just as an Abala naari,she is a Sabala naari...........(Go watch Mary Kom if you disagree,it's releasing soon.)

So back to the movie.It can never be seen as a mass entertainer as entertainment is not the criteria for watching this movie at all.It was never meant to be so.There are so many who have been criticising this movie for not being entertaining.Wish people understood that all movies are not made to entertain,some come with a message and hard-hitting facts but who wants messages or facts???You don't then please go watch 'Hate Story-2' or 'Its Entertainment',that's just what you need.

Many have rued the fact that they have shown girls being stripped and use of foul language and they are of the opinion that the girls stripping are a means for titillation of the audience.Let me tell you that if the scenes are watched in the context of the movie,there is absolutely no titillation whatsoever.The said scenes actually makes our blood boil and gives us goose bumps as it makes us aware of the dangers that lurk around and the ills of human trafficking.If at all the scenes titillate, then those are the perverted minds about whom I don't know what to say. The facts of human trafficking being on the rise all over the world and specially so in India is shown in the beginning and end as the credits roll.The film has been issued an Adults only certification and at the cinema hall where I went they were checking the student IDs for age-proof.

Rani is shown as a police officer who is dedicated,strong and fearless. She takes on the human trafficking gang and fights them till the end in spite of facing numerous challenges while doing so.No,I am not a Rani Mukherjee fan but yet I found the movie to be good as she suited the role.Many viewers were of the opinion that she was too fat and should reduce her weight.She did not look too fit but then which police officer truly is?

The movie showcases the crusade against the kidnapping and selling or using the girls in the flesh trade.They are also used as carriers of drugs for over-seas destinations.What the movie does is it tries to make us aware of the facts about the human trade that is so rampant.It is an endeavour to show us the harsh truth and make us sit up and take notice.The anti-hero Karan whom Rani calls under 19 cricket team ka 12th man is very convincing as the young charismatic, arrogant, fear-inducing king-pin of the gang.Impressive debut I must say.

The film is hard-hitting and has only one song which plays in the background as the final credits roll.On the whole it is a good watch provided you are going to watch it for what it is and not as another mindless entertainer or big grosser.Makes us aware of the dangers that lurk and that crimes against women are on the rise and action needs to be taken fast.It shows that with an able police force it is possible but that dedication should be there where each officer works with the intention to do away with the ills that are infecting society at all levels.The movie shows that there is still hope if there is a will to fight against the perverts.There is always a beginning......a small step too can take us far.The film just makes an attempt to tell us to take the first step and be aware......
So go watch it if you haven't already.

Boys Will Be Boys?

Some times there are people who shock you with their words and /or actions.There are many a foot in the mouth moments where people just say something that is so absurd that it makes us think,did they actually say that!I read one such news feed in the Mumbai Mirror today(Friday ,April 11,2014.)

There has been a lot of news posted regarding the Shakti Mills rape case where a young journalist was gang-raped and later on it was found that the same accused had committed a similar offence earlier.Keeping all these facts in mind the court had granted three accused death penalty,to be hanged until death and one was sentenced to life imprisonment.All around there were remarks as to why this was the right way to punish the perpetrators in order to safeguard women and keep others from repeating the same crime fearing the harsh punishment meted out to the rapists.

This is what the SP(Samajwadi Party) chief ,Mulayam Singh Yadav had to say at an election rally where he questioned the death penalty for the rapists.He said,"Ladke ladke hain.Galti to hoti hai"(Boys are boys.Mistakes happen sometimes)The SP chief further stated that he will support provision for legal action action against those who misuse the rape act.He said that there was a need to change the new anti-rape law as it was too harsh and also so that those misusing it are punished.He specified that when his party comes into power they would see to it that rape penalty is not so harsh.

This is how the chief of a political party reacts when three rape accused who have committed the heinous act on two occasions are served the death penalty.I shudder to think what will happen to our country if people such as these are voted into power.The problem lies with the citizens of India who refuse to vote when it matters and later when things get out of hand they curse the government and talk about their right to a good government.Where were they when they had a duty to perform...when they had to vote?

Shame on such politicians.Are we going to see these people back into power?If we are not going to vote then be certain that it is these very politicians who will come into power.Now is the time to act.Vote today for a better tomorrow.

हजारों ख्वाहिशें ऐसी......

 Life is full of ups and downs...its a roller-coaster ride.We have the roses with the thorns....etc.We know all this but yet life life goes on and what keeps us going is the hope that somewhere during this lifetime we are going to get what we desire.Each and everyone of us has some aspirations ,some desires that we want to be fulfilled....some are practical and some downright absurd but that does not keep us from hoping and wishing they may come true.

There are so many things we long for or crave.....some may be as simple as a few hours free time or a short nap each day or maybe a world tour or a meeting with our current filmy heart-throb.I am guilty of having quite a few ख्वाहिशें or desires of my own which I hold dear to my heart.My desires are un-ending and once one is fulfilled a couple of new desires promptly take their place.My know-all husband calls me अतृप्त आत्मा or the soul that is never satisfied.I do not find anything wrong in having these desires as long as I am not obsessed with them.These desires give me an aim to keep going and then make me inspired and encouraged to try and achieve them.As long as our desires are not proving to be an obstacle in our life (or that of others)and ,in fact, providing us the momentum to carry on with our lives with added zeal and fervour,I think these desires are desirable.

You may be wondering what all these desires that I have are so let me tell you that I just want to live life to the fullest and do what I love to do.I want to watch movies,travel to more places(here and abroad),have a healthy and happy future for my family,have a diamond ring,buy a new high-end DSLR camera,learn new skills,read more books ,meet Salman Khan ,buy more shoes, bags and clothes , bring a smile on others' faces, have the courage to speak my mind and do what is the right thing to do, eat good food, keep myself fit and healthy, be with people I love and away from people I detest, be better at whatever I do....and the list goes on.I am not ashamed to let you know about my desires as I know that these are not hampering my growth as a person and nor am I obsessive about achieving them.I will definitely work towards fulfilling these but if I don't,its absolutely fine and it won't be the end of the world for me.

I don't think there is anyone out there who does not desire or wish for something in life.Without them life may seem goal-less and like a ship without the oars sailing aimlessly as our desires ,our aspirations give direction to our life.As desires are not only the material things we wish and long for but also include the life we want to achieve,the person we want to grow into.So I would definitely say it is alright to have your very own हजारों ख्वाहिशें ऐसी......as long as you are not obsessive about them.Also remember that all your desires are never going to be fulfilled so be prepared to accept that.