Today India Lost Her Voice - Lata Di is Gone

This is a useless post, nobody is waiting to see my reaction to the momentous event in Indian history, nothing will change, no awareness is needed, no conversations need to be started. She who is gone will not be affected by it, those who remain already know what there was to know about her. Still, I am writing because this blog is my public diary and I want to express what's inside me even if not a single person reads it. As I said, it won't change any lives. 

Lata Mangeshkar, lovingly called Lata di or Lata didi (Sister Lata) by all Indians was, on paper, an Indian playback singer but those who know her or even know of her, know that she was much more than that. She was a wonderful human being, so kind-hearted, gracious and sweet, such a beautiful soul that I cannot find anyone to compare her with. If you ask an Indian who their favourite male singer is there can be a few different possibilities but there is no other choice except Lata Di if you talk about female playback singers. The reason is not just her talent, she was extremely talented, there is no denying that but the person she was matters more. 

Indians are obsessed with their celebrities and love to read anything and everything about them. In a country where there are lots of star tantrums, scandals and unseemly episodes, Lata Di was one who was always an example to uphold. 

When she started her career she was rejected by All India Radio because of her voice. At that time, playback singers with heavy voices like Noorjahan were ruling the film industry. But soon there came a time when Lata di rose to the heights of playback singing and became such a shining star that she used to get all the awards for singing every year. After a couple of years, she withdrew her name from the running so that other people could get a chance. I don't know a single artist alive today who would have that kind of superlative talent or a big heart like that. 

The list of the titles and awards that received is too long to put in this blog. She was awarded Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India. 

For me, Lata Di the singer is always admirable in her supreme talent and the success she had in her career but the person she was goes beyond that. 

A couple of years ago she put one short video post on social media which was just her speaking to the camera for a couple of minutes. Her voice was sweet because her heart was full of love. Every word she spoke was so full of gratitude and humility that it brought tears to my eyes to just watch her say that she was going to try and connect with her fans on social media. 

When comedian Kapil Sharma had an incident where his studio burnt down and he suffered heavy losses, Lata Di called him and asked what she could to do help. I adore Kapil Sharma, he is a very talented artist and a genuine person but compared to Lata Di...if she were the Queen of the country, he would be a poor farmer. But she called him and offered her help. Just a word of support from a person like that can give someone inspiration and motivation to carry on in the face of the most dire circumstances. 

Another Indian comedian Sugandha Mishra plays the character of Lata di in comedy sketches and she is very talented herself. As far as I have seen she does not do anything disparaging towards Lata Di when she mimics her but some people took offence at it and Sugandha was mercilessly trolled for it because every Indian loves Lata di. The matter was put to rest when Lata di herself saw it and said she didn't mind. 

The loss that Indian film and music Industry has suffered today as Lata di passed away at age 92 is irreparable but she was also such a shining star, such a celestial presence in Indian history that she will always inspire everybody who knew her, knew of her or will come to know about her. 

While there will never be another Lata Mangeshkar, Lata di will never be gone from our hearts! 

The Time That Spends Us

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." - Anais Nin

I have this movie I watch once every month. It's a Hindi movie called "Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani", translation "The craziness of youth" Youth as in the period of youth in life, not a young person. 

Yes, you did read it right, I watch it once every month. I have seen it more times than I can count. Why? No, it's not like one of those "It's a wonderful life" kind of movie that's a ritual for the world to watch. It's a purely commercial movie about a boy and a girl (aren't they all?). The basic premise is extremely simple - he wants to travel the world and do everything in one life, she wants a simple life. Of course, they fall in love, but at different times. 

Spoilers below if you haven't seen the movie but it came out in 2013 so you have had 8 years. 

There are many reasons to watch this movie so many times but one of the important ones is that every time I watch it, I see different things in it. Now spoilers. In the end, the hero decides to stay in India in order to marry the girl. I never agreed with that decision. I even have my favourite shot where I would end the movie if I were the director. No, I don't turn it off there, I still watch it fully every time. But I always think he's wrong. Ambition over marriage? Ha! Until now. Five seconds before starting this post I was thinking about this dialogue that he says to her when he's proposing. 

"Beet_ta waqt hai lekin kharch hum hote hain. Aur isse pehle ki main poora kharch ho jaoun, tere saath thoda waqt bitana chahta hoon."

[Translation: We don't spend the time, the time spends us. And before my balance runs out I want to spend some of that time with you. ]

Suddenly today it made sense to me. Spending time with a loved one can take precedence over travelling, job and even a lifelong dream. I still don't know if I agree with him but at least now I can see his viewpoint. 

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." The movie is always the same, every scene, every shot, every camera angle. That doesn't change. The reason I see different things in it every time is because I change. 

Do you have a loop movie that you watch as many times as possible? I can't be the only crazy person in this world. 

Bharat - Made For Stupid Audience - Movie Review

"If you cast popular stars and put some masala scenes, helped by some clever editing, then even if the film has no story it will be a great film." That's the thought behind this film.

I really like Salman Khan, he has a great screen presence. But if he stars in a formula crap I can't say that it's a good film. This is a pathetic execution of a lame idea and you can see that in everything. There are a couple of formula scenes which are ok, but on the whole it's a stupid film made while thinking that the public is stupid.

Salman's acting is very good, but weak in the old avatar. The director, and the actors, have no idea how an old person talks, walks and behaves. It's like they have never observed an old person of the human species.

The make up artists of this film should be expelled out of the industry! The main characters who are supposed to be old are actually made to look like cosplay characters.

I had said after "Tiger Zinda Hai" that I have finally seen Katrina act. Unfortunately, that streak stopped there. Nobody can blame her of "acting" in this film. She's a beautiful girl and directors usually use her for her glamorous presence. In this film even that's not there. Her dialog delivery is her weakest part and they have given her way too many lines in this film.

"The promise of a man to his father." that's the catch line of the synposis. What stupid rot! If he had not promised he would not take care of his family? WTH, man!

It was not so boring that I could not finish it but there were 7 places where it pissed me off and I wanted to turn it off because it offended my sensibilities. Still, I somehow finished it.

I am so glad I didn't go to the cinema for it. Thank god for Amazon Prime Video.