Anand - Memorable Dialogues

Whenever one thinks of Anand (1971), one cannot help but feel a tinge of sadness. A dying young man teaches his friend a valuable lesson about life and living it to the fullest. In addition to the movie's songs and the characters of both Rajesh Khanna & Amitabh Bachchan, what stayed with me most about the movie were its wonderful dialogues. No surprise that these were written by Gulzar. Gulzar won the Filmfare Best Dialogue Award in 1972 for this movie; the movie also swept most of the other awards at Filmfare.

Following are some of the memorable dialogues which struck a chord with me:

• Anand mara nahin; Anand marte nahin.
• Kya har hasi ke peeche khushi hoti hain; kabhi kabhi gam bhi toh...
• I LOVED the way Rajesh Khanna calls Amitabh Babu Moshai throughout the movie. So much so that I started calling a Bong colleague of mine that :)
• Babu Moshai, zindagi lambi nahi badi honi chahiye
• Zindagi aur maut toh upar wale ke haath main hain jahapanah

In the climax when Rajesh Khanna dies and Amitabh is crying & pleading with him to start speaking again since he has got used to his constant chit-chat and Anand's voice plays in the background, I am sure not a single person could have avoided crying.

Book Review: When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It's Time To Go Home by Erma Bombeck

I chanced upon this book on my visit to a local library. I have been a huge fan of Erma Bombeck's primarily because of her quotes but have never had the opportunity to read any of her books. Being fond of travel and hoping to travel the entire world one day, this particular book interested me immensely.

The book talks about her travels across countries; about travelling with her husband, with kids, with parents, etc. It also talks about the various activities one undertakes in the course of travelling - a cruise, rafting, etc.

Erma's style of writing is humourous and the way she puts across her experiences is amazing. You cannot but help laugh at her (mis) adventures as she plans her travels and actually undertakes them.

However, the book is not all comedy; there are quite a few poignant moments as when Erma realizes how much closer travel has brought her family and how women all over the world share certain key worries pertaining to their families and kids.

The book takes us through quite a few exotic places such as Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Istanbul, Mexico and Russia (the nation-to-visit-before-I-die on my bucket list).

Erma's wit shines through each and every chapter in the book. Sample her thoughts on flying: "After the attendants have given them the evacuation procedures in the event of loss of air pressure and demonstrated how to use the life jackets in the event they ditch over water, they're free to relax." Doesn't each one of us feel this way whenever we fly? I wish I was half as able to express it as beautifully as she has.

On her visit to Russia, she says, "The religion, the ideology, and the government may be different, but the dreams are all the same."

Erma is quite vocal about her love for shopping and for wishing to get back souvenirs for friends & family back home. At the same time, her husband is shown to be quite passionate about actually wanting to see historial sites and knowing about their history!!!

If you are a travel-addict (like moi), read this book. It describes all that we actually experience on our travels but never reveal. Even if you aren't a travel-addict, read this book - it will help you better explain to your fellowmen why you don't travel :)

Deven Varma: The Unsung Hero of Bollywood

I happened to watch the following movies consecutively over a period of four days: Golmaal (1979), Angoor (1982), Andaz Apna Apna (1994) and Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997). Other than the fact that these are all fabulous movies which I can watch over and over again, especially Golmaal, the other common factor which came through was the presence of Deven Varma in all the four movies.

And it’s then that I realized that he is one of the unsung heroes of Bollywood – he is like salt in cooking; you don’t appreciate its presence but you definitely miss its absence.

In Golmaal, he played himself and Ramprasad Dashrathprasad Sharma’s best friend who helps him out of the moustache crisis.

In Angoor, he played a double role along with Sanjeev Kumar. He was Bahadur who served as Sanjeev Kumar’s double roles’ servant/caretaker. Varma was hilarious in the movie and it came across as no surprise that he won the 1983 Filmfare Best Comedian Award for his role. The movie got a huge boost from Varma’s presence as Bahadur who is faced with two Sanjeev Kumars and does not know why his master is behaving so funny all the time.

In Andaz Apna Apna, Varma played Aamir Khan’s dad who runs a small saloon to help meet the family expenses. Though he had a small role in the movie, his character as a strict dad who is irritated with his son’s ways and wants him to improve stood out among the host of roles peppered throughout.

In Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Deven Varma was Akshay Kumar’s father and Madhuri Dixit’s guardian. Though a small role again, he played it with panache. His character was fond of music and if it were not for his wife’s discouragement, he would definitely have turned out to be a singer. He is shown to be a happy-go-lucky character who makes his driver and watchman his audience which hears him sing.

My favourite? Definitely Angoor. Go watch the movie if you have not already. Varma is a revelation and holds his own against Sanjeev Kumar (who was himself a fantastic actor).

Tribute To Mom

The word Mom evokes very strong feelings in all of us. The word is a recent development since we mostly refer to mothers as “Aai”, “Mummy”, “Mumma”, “Amma”, etc.

How can you write a tribute to someone who carried you in her womb for 9 whole months; who gave birth to you and has been taking care of you ever since? Elizabeth Stone once said, “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”

When we are infants and kids, we are entirely dependent on our mothers for everything and anything. As we grow into teenagers, we are embarrassed about her in front of our friends. As young adults, we confide in her about our troubles and desires and once we become mothers ourselves, we understand her travails.

According to me, the best tribute for mom would be to imbibe and live by the values she has taught us. Most of these are not by words alone but by actions. For instance, my mom is the world’s friendliest and most helpful person. And the best part is she helps others without ever being asked to.

I try and emulate that in my day-to-day living. I try and help others without their ever asking me to. I do it because it gives me great pleasure to do so.

Another thing that I wish to imbibe from my mother is her patience and tolerance. She always gives others the benefit of doubt and is a very patient woman; something I find extremely difficult to do.

Also, she is one of the most positive persons I know. Come what may, she is never scared and always willing to face whatever challenge life has to offer.

My tribute to her would be to live by the points which I find attractive in her.

Some people feel I look like her; others feel my voice resembles her. While these thrill me no doubt, I would find that my life has been truly worthwhile when someone says to me, “Your actions and behaviours are exactly like your mother’s.”

‘I am writing a Tribute to Mom in association with Parentous.com.‘

Engaging Employees the "Never Grow Up" Way

My story is about Asif Upadhye, a first-generation entrepreneur, and the employee engagement firm that he founded when he was just 30 years old. As a concept, employee engagement is still pretty new in India. Other than the routine Human Resources formalities and a few basic training programs that most organizations have, there are no specific steps taken to motivate and engage employees.

 

I have known Asif since the time we went to college together (more than 15+ years and counting). Asif along with his wife, Dr. Shazia Upadhye, founded a company called Never Grow Up – an employee engagement firm – in January 2010. You may wonder at the strange name of the firm. Well, according to Asif, “When we are children, we are less inhibited but as and when we do actually grow up and become adults, we surround ourselves with layers of perception and prejudices that we carry with us at all times including our workplace. We pine for our childhood and miss those days. So I thought why not call our company that.”

 

Background:

You may wish to know Asif and Shazia’s background and credentials. Asif is an MBA from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune, and has also completed an Entrepreneurial course from S. P. Jain Institute of Management, Mumbai. Post-MBA, he worked with three financial institutions – HDFC Limited, HSBC and Barclays Bank which gave him good exposure to the banking industry in general and product specific knowledge in particular. He is the Chief Fun Officer at the company. His wife Shazia is a qualified dentist; she is the Chief Fun Advisor and Director.

Genesis:

While, in the corporate life, Asif observed that a lot of employees were unhappy at work; they had several suggestions on what their organization or the Human Resources department could do. Alas, these were never accepted or acted upon. Unlike the rest of us who only grumble and do nothing, Asif, who always wanted to do his own thing and become an entrepreneur, thought “employee engagement” would be a great business idea. As he was approaching 30 years old, one fine day, he turned around to his wife and said, “Hey, what do you think about this idea? Would you join me in the journey to create more focussed and productive employees?” Once he got her consent, he quit his job and plunged headlong into the world of entrepreneurship.

They say the grass is greener on the other side. In his case, it was actually true. As a working professional, one is occupied 12-14 hours 5-6 days a week; as an entrepreneur, one is occupied 24 hours 7 days a week. But Asif did not mind – he was doing what he loved and making a difference in the process. Well, when Asif started off, it was not all smooth sailing. It was almost 6 months before they got their first client. Similarly, their first workshop had only 8 members. But, that did not deter them. Their determination and perseverance paid off when Never Grow Up broke even in 18 months.

Offerings:

“What is it that Never Grow Up exactly does?” I can hear you ask? Well, Never Grow Up believes in making work and life a lot more creative, balanced and eventful. Their services range from consultancy to building communication, devising reward programs to customized workshops (But none of those boring lecture-type, powerpoint sessions which have us yawning throughout, mind you) and even designing workplaces and creating merchandise that will enhance organizational culture and make people feel like coming to work.

As adults, we miss out on the hobbies we pursued due to time constraints and lack of opportunities. Never Grow Up organizes unique weekend workshops for the same. Till date, they have organized writing workshops, mocktails making, photography sessions and drama classes. These have found a high level of acceptance across several people for the primary reason that people have the opportunity to meet like-minded people and pursue the activities they like. In fact, I have had the opportunity to attend two of his workshops – a creative writing workshop and an evening photography workshop around South Mumbai. These workshops in addition to enhancing my knowledge made me shed my inhibitions about actually going out there and meeting new people.

Fun Stuff:

The company has introduced a concept called Cube Farm – they have tied up with companies that manufacture and promote fun products such as Chumbak, Happily Unmarried, Pyjama Party, etc. The offerings include a host of fun and utilitarian products such as work magnets, stress balls, piggy banks and what have you. Can you imagine how it would be like if your workstation actually stands out from the rest of your colleagues?

Clients:

A product/service is only great if it sells and makes money in the process. When I asked Asif about his client list, he smiled and said, “Well, I do not mean to brag and boast about us but if I do not then who will!” He told me that their 25+ clients include Shoppers Stop, Accenture and Group M.

Awards & Recognition:

Zee Business & Franchise India nominated it as one of the top Professional Service Businesses of 2011 at the Small Business Awards. Their work with a retail client also got a particular employee initiative in the Limca Book of Records in January 2013 and also won them the ET Now Talent & HR Leadership Award for Organization with Innovative HR Practices. They are regularly quoted in leading media such as The Economic Times, Business Standard and YourStory.in for their views on employee engagement ideas.

The End

Or rather, the beginning. Never Grow Up recently celebrated its third birthday. And, as any three-year-old, they are super active and excited about the time ahead.

Asif has inspired me in so many different ways. It is not like he was born with a silver spoon or into a business family. He had one clear idea which he stuck to and made an enriching business out of. He is passionate about his work and his passion shines through in what he does. He does not shy away from working hard or asking for help when needed. His networking is outstanding. At the same time, his company is changing employee and corporate mindsets bit by bit. I, too, hope that like Asif, I am able to find out what is it that makes me click (sooner rather than later) and do something about it.

Well, I hope you had as much fun reading about Asif’s adventure as much as I did bringing it to you. You can find out more about it at http://www.willnevergrowup.com.

I wish to get my story published in Chicken Soup for the Indian Entrepreneurs Soul in association with BlogAdda.com.

QSQT

 
Today is the silver jubilee of QSQT or Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak - the blockbuster movie which released on April 29, 1988. The movie took the entire Bollywood industry by storm and overnight its lead cast - Raj (Aamir Khan) & Rashmi (Juhi Chawla) catapulted into stardom. Aiding its wonderful direction (by Mansoor Khan) was the movie's wonderful music - beautiful lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri ably assisted by music directors Anand-Milind. Of course, Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik sang as only they could - making us get wistful, elated and sad as the songs required us to be.

Who, among us, has not identified with "Papa kehte hain" - where Raj, at his farewell, discusses his uncertainties on passing out of college - what will he make a career out of; whom will he fall in love with?

My favourite is "Gazab Ka Hain Din" - when both Raj & Rashmi lost in the jungles are trying to find their way to the main road. Rashmi mischievously redraws the arrows that Raj is drawing on the trees to help them find the way. She keeps reminding Raj that both of them are alone in the jungle and they should make the most of it. Alas, "Phir bhi jaane ja, main kahan aur tu kahan."

"Ae Mere Humsafar" brings out the angst of two lovers, who are patiently waiting for things ("Ik Zara Intezaar) to happen, beautifully. "Akele Hain Toh Kyan Gum Hain" celebrates the fact that even though the two lovers, who have eloped, have nobody with them, they couldn't really care as long as they have each other for company.

The dialogues by Nasir Hussain stood out wonderfully as well. Both Raj & Rashmi addressing each other and themselves as aap and hum was cute :) My favourite dialogue from the movie is "doobta hua suraj". Raj is jogging down one evening as the sun sets behind him and Rashmi, while merrily clicking a few pictures of the sunset, manages to get in quite a few of Raj as well. The next scene is played out really well - Raj says he has heard that keeping a self-photograph with a setting sun leads to a shorter lifespan. The dialogue is referred to later when Raj says, "Doobte hue suraj ne hamein pehli baar milaya tha. Dekhna, yehi doobta hua suraj hamein hamesha hamesha ke liye mila dega." Sigh!!!

I remember feeling depressed and sad at the end - why did they have to die? But, guess, all love stories need not have a happy ending. Needless to say, as both lie dying in each other's arms, the sun sets behind them. Doesn't every sunset, along with its beauty, also inspire a certain amount of sadness in us? Nobody knew that better than Nasir Hussain and Mansoor Khan.

Book Review: Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino

Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino has been translated by Alexander O. Smith with Elye J. Alexander. The book is 377 pages long and is in the genre of crime fiction.

The book’s blurb reads: “When a man is discovered dead by poisoning in his empty home, his beautiful wife Ayane immediately falls under suspicion. All clues point to Ayane being the logical suspect, but how could she have committed the crime when she was hundreds of miles away?

As Tokyo police detective Kusanagi tries to unpick a seemingly unrelated sequence of events, he finds himself falling for Ayane. When his judgement becomes dangerously clouded, his assistant must call on an old friend for help; it will take a genius to unravel the most spectacular web of deceit they have ever faced…”

Ayane Mita and Yoshitaka Mashiba have been married for about a year and living in Tokyo. The book starts off with the husband, Yoshitaka, telling his wife, Ayane, that he wants them both to get separated since that was the deal. Almost immediately into the book, Yoshitaka is found dead at this apartment that weekend when Ayane is away visiting her parents. The last person to see Yoshitaka alive is Hiromi Wakayama, Ayane’s assistant at a patchwork quilting school which both of them run together.

The police are called in when suicide is ruled out. Naturally, the bone of suspicion is on Hiromi and also Ayane. However, how could she pull it off when she was away at her parents’ place in Sopporo? At the crime scene, it is established that Yoshitaka was poisoned by something in the coffee he drank. To solve this particular case are assigned detective Kusanagi and his assistant Utsumi.

How they go about interrogating each and everyone connected with Yoshitaka (his friends, his in-laws, etc.), pry into his past life, try and piece together each piece of the jigsaw puzzle forms the rest of the book. Utsumi also solicits the assistance of a physicist Yukawa to help her solve the crime.

The author’s style of writing is extremely thrilling; I found the book to be an absolute page-turner. Also, his words and sentences have the power of making the reader visualize the scenes – the apartment where the crime happened, the parents’ house in Sopporo, the coffee shop where they sometimes interrogated the suspects, etc.

The author has managed to create some absolutely strong characterizations. For example, even though Ayane is the main suspect, she is never shown to falter or cry; in fact, she keeps tempting the police saying, “Should I not be the one under suspicion?” On the other hand, Hiromi has been shown to be a sensitive woman; who will cry at the slightest instance and be wary of police around her. Utsumi has been shown to be a gutsy assistant who does not fear questioning or arguing with her superiors. She basically works a lot based on her intuition.

The protagonist – Kusanagi – is committed to the job. Even when he finds himself falling for Ayane’s charms, he is torn between his head and his heart – his duty towards solving the crime and his fascination for Ayane.

The book’s real strength lies in the way it goes about getting together each and every piece of the puzzle which will finally lead to the crime getting solved. Situations/people unconnected with the main event have been beautifully woven into the story. The book reaches its climax slowly and methodically; Keigo does not hurry in trying to solve the crime. The reader is often left second-guessing at the turn of events in the book and is finally both relieved and ecstatic when the climax is revealed.

I am going with 5/5 for this book – it was an extremely enjoyable and fun read for me. I really liked this particular sentence in the book – “Determining the existence or non-existence of something extraordinary is never a straight forward task and those who set themselves to do it are often overly swayed by their preconceived notions.

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