Raavan

I just watched the hindi version of Raavan, starring Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan and Vikram. I absolutely have to deconstruct it. I really should be spending my time mroe wisely, but I really can't think of anything else. so...

WARNING WARNING: SPOILERS UP AHEAD!!!!
as in like the WHOLE story.



Okay, I really don't feel like going through the WHOLE story. I just want to say that it was a brilliant movie. absolutely positively brilliant.
Apparently it was a flop, but I honestly don't see why. The three main characters, are so complex and they showed their complexity through the acting. Mind you, I might be a little biased because I love Abhishek and Aishwarya. Separately and I guess together too.

I found it interesting that instead of most probably sticking to the same plot of the Ramayana, which is what most people thought would happen, they not only tried to create a whole other narrative but the characters weren't as one-dimensional as in the epic tale. Its very easy to portray Beera as a complete and absolute evil character, a tyrant of sorts, that rules above the tribals and local folk alike, and to portray Dev as the policeman with a gold-plate character, the hero of the film. Even Ragini, the heroine, and the lead actor was not simply the female protagonist that pines for her husband and despises Beera. Its not that simple and easy. The writer understood that humans are not as easy to confine in boxes like that.
Beera breaks rules and kills and tortures people, yes. However, people don't really do all that just for fun. And if they did, other people would not revere them. I think Abhisehk does Beera quite well, the slight craziness, the evilness, the reluctant gentleness. And Vikram was a truly formidable Dev, not perfect in his methods, not willing to negotiate with "criminals". Thank god though that he wasn't involved with the raping of Beera's sister Jamuniya. And omg Aishwarya, I have NO idea how she managed to film all that, TWICE. Seriously. And she really seemed extremely comfortable with Vikram, as her husband. Yet, halfway, you could see her warming to Beera.

OKAY I thought I could de-construct the movie, but I realise that I'm not eloquent enough to do so. Oh and lord the location that the movie was shot in. Simply marvelous! The shots, the water, everything. Made me wonder where on earth is that and oh, that scene on the bridge truly had me fearing for the actors' lives. That was beyond scary! and the scene before that, where total chaos had broken out! I've realised that I quite like fight scenes. So long as they don't look TOO fake. Also, people give grief that Abhishek is like the only actor that's not beefed up and that Aishwarya's become fat. I think that's extremely unfair and untrue. I mean come on, yes, I think that if actors are going to be famous, and on screen, they should be beautiful. But I mean hello? Have you SEEN Aiswarya's face? with NO makeup, and mud on her face, she STILL looks gorgeous. And I think Abhishek looks very good-looking too!. And I mean come on, it looks stupid if these characters are all buffed up with six-packs and slim waists. Seriously. I for one and glad that Abhishek looks the way he does, and Aishwarya too. Makes me "hate-envy" them less. And really WHO looks perfect in real life anyway? Unless you really value body-perfectness that much la.

Oh! And I think Govinda was quite amusing as his character of Sangeevni. Provided a little amusement. People also say that the first half of the story is paper-thin, but I mean I think that not revealing much in the beginning is kind of the point. Makes you want to find out.

This wasn't a very good de-construction but what the hell.

ciao!
shini

Romance and BGR

First of all, I know I'm old enough for them not to be called BGR but I felt nostalgic.

Anyway, moving onnnnnn, I know I talk and complain a LOT about being single, and its highly annoying to everyone (including myself) so I've been trying to cut down on the whining. However, I find relationships very interesting so I just like talking about them.

I was wondering, would you be in a relationship, if you knew that you don't see it as a long term thing? What I mean is, I mean you're not having sex or anything, but yeah la making out and stuff. However you know without a shadow of a doubt that you don't see you two lasting forever and ever, amen. You for example, don't see you getting married to each other. In fact, unless there are DRASTIC changes, you don't want to even entertain the idea of marriage. And let's face it, every girl or at least almost every girl thinks about marriage or the idea of it. Even at the age of like 16 or something.

Then, what's the point of the relationship in the first place? I know there are relationships where, you don't want to become attached, and its casual. But I'm talking about full on boyfriend and girlfriend, albeit a bit PG 13 la the action. Gifts are exchanged and everything. Almost like a YEAR. Then? No point right? If you don't see a future, or as long-term, then frankly what's the point in even continuing it for NOW. At some point you're going to have to grit your teeth, sit down and Break Up with the Person. It's also not very fair to the person right, them thinking that they have a very happy future together and stuff and you're sitting there wondering "how the HELL do I break up with this person!?" . Just stringing them along is not fair and just wastes time. So yeah I plain don't see the point in all of it.


Okay, new idea. I am actually quite glad that I'm single. I truly am. I mean I don't think I can handle the pressure and the stress. FROM MY MUM AND DAD AND EVERY RELATIVE AND FAMILY FRIEND. Seriously. My parents are such social butterflies, bloody know everyone and drag US everywhere so even if the friends don't remember our names, for SURE cannot forget faces right? Can you imagine having to worry about at LEAST 50 odd people seeing you when you're out with boyfriend? I'm stressed just THINKING about it. And then, when you want to go out, always must say you're going out with someone else. and DON'T take pictures. and like when you want to go out with alibi friends, for real, your parents are wondering why you're going out with them when you JUST saw them last week. So you tell another lie. Literally a WEB is created, of lies. Its jolly ridiculous la. And the sheer number of people you have to draw into your web as covers is substantial too. All because your parents dont think you should DATE. Because they dont trust the guys. Who CARES about the guys! You should trust your DAUGHTER right? If she is not interested, she's not going to let the dude get FAR. And if she does like him and get asked out ,you should be happy cuz it means that your daughter is not hideous and won't die alone. What, you really think she'll get pregnant or contract a STD on the date? Is she THAT easy? or stupid to get "raped" while on a date?
I mean she was disturbing enough to cut out articles about murders and rapings and fires and death for nearly a YEAR and put them in a scrapbook. She's quite well-versed in what to look out for and to protect herself. Honestly.
would you rather she lie and sneak around or to tell you straight in the face that she has a boyfriend? Because as weird as it is (specially for Asians), daughters or least some, still want you the parents to know about their lives, so that they can advice and prevent heartbreak. Deep deep down, they do. And wouldn't you want to know EVERYTHING that's going on in their lives? How would you feel if there were some things that you didn't even KNOW about? All because you have some warped views on how your children should live like. abit hypocritical don't you think? Because you didn't adhere to YOUR parents' view of how you should live.

shini

There's been this thing that's been bothering me of late.
I'm talking about the whole conversion-at-the-deathbed thing.

Don't know what I'm talking about?

Well not to speak ill of any particular community, but I mean its obvious that a large percentage of Indians in general are Hindus right? Well, within the families, sometimes there are Christian converts. Now, when an old lady or man dies, or is dying, on their deathbed, sometimes, these converts while visiting them may or may not approach the idea of conversion with them. Meaning asking them if they want to convert to Christianity. Perhaps citing that Jesus will take away their pain, and that its never too late to convert. I don't know exactly what they say. Whatever it is, and whatever they say does not matter. Reason being that it all comes to light when said elderly person passes on and the matter of the funeral preparations have to be settled and suddenly, instead of the usual rites for a Hindu cremation, there is a Christian or Catholic service and cremation (no burial in spore anymore).

*Gasp* shock! "I didn't know she was Christian? I thought she's so devoted to DurgaMata?"

Hence , we come to the conclusion that the elderly person was basically converted on his/her deathbed. I'm not accusing anyone or anything but this seems to happen especially when the elderly person has like a son or daughter that has converted and said son/daughter or his/her relatives somehow converted the elderly person. This also seems to happen especially when the elderly person has been suffering a lot over a long period of time. It makes more sense right?

I've got absolutely nothing against Christianity. Honestly I don't. I know there are certain denominations of the faith that advocates the preaching and spreading of said faith. Meaning, in layman terms, "convert more people, and you're more likely to go to heaven"
If I've paraphrased wrongly, please excuse me and I do apologise.

Now, this is all well and good. I mean, if that's part of your belief, then fine.

However, going after senior citizens, and "preying" on them when they're in their most vulnerable state, in great pain, or basically waiting to die and telling them that this other God will protect you, take away your pain and look after your "after-life" is simply evil, pathetic and despicable.
Strong words for strong feelings.
Seriously, how can you do that?
Especially to a mother or an aunt who's at the end of her life. Let them have the ending they expected and desired. And don't be so sly as to ask them when they're not even lucid enough to comprehend what you're asking or worse, take anything they say as assent.
Furthermore, what does YOUR religion or faith have to do with you're mother or father or aunt's faith? Why do YOU feel the need to ask your elder if they want to convert to another religion, after literally worshipping another God all their life? I just don't get it.
It just makes me really really sad la. Like my sister said, won't the elderly person not find peace then?
Worse still, I'm worried that this may actually happen in MY own family, though it probably won't if my dad has anything to say about it.
Then again, Paise bolte.

sigh.

now, I'm melancholic and emotional.

nights all.

shini