The Show must go on

The oscars are over and done with. The night of nights in hollywood and the one monday morning in the year in India when we wake up has passed. The academy awards were the regular fare. All the glitz, bling and zing zang was witnessed. Everything was the usual fare. Except for the movies.
The 5 movies nominated for the top honours were all well made. There was Good night and good luck directed by george clooney. Syriana, which had george clooney in it and capote which won hoffman the best actor. My favourite was Brokeback Mountain which is about two gay cowboys in the 60's. But, the best film was awarded to Crash a racial drama set in los angeles. It had a wonderful script, for which it did win best original screenplay, but the best film honours came as a surprise to all. The academy does like to throw in a few surprises. After all, it is one of the most watched television event acroos the globe. What good would it be if it ran on all too predictably. They sure know how to run the show.
Any ways, The movies were a much better fare this time. And the show still has not lost it's charm. I am sure an oscar does lots more to an actor's career than a grammy does to a singer. It seems to have much more recognition attached with the tag. There are a few upsets every year. Spielberg's "Saving private ryan" lost out to "Shakespeare in love" in 1998. But the oscars this year still didnt beat my favourite. Kim Basinger for best actress in L.A confidential in 1997. That was a mother of a shocker. All those who have seen the film will agree. I think, the actress
herself would too. I am still waiting for that one to be beaten. Every year i end up saying, "Well that was shocker, but not as big as Kim Basinger". Come on guys, we need a good show.

Another one bites the dust

A trip to pune has just been had. The city is changing at a frantic pace. It wont be long before it resembles mumbai. But the flavour wont change. I was there to attend a friend's engagement. The venue was on the second floor and it had a lift to take you there. The lift had a sign posted above it " Dupari 1 te 4 chowkashi saathi var zau naye". Vintage pune. You cant beat these guys. They are the cheesiest lot i've ever come across yet.
Was at an old college joint in the morning. A trip to pune is never complete without a visit to VAISHALI. Being a mumbai guy, after all these years i still cant get over the fact that an udipi joint is the most coolest hangout for college goers. But hats off to the place, they are still going strong despite the numerous Barrista's and Coffee Days around. It still seems the place to be seen at. An udipi joint. hmm. I wonder how many of friends would come with me if i told them that Udipi shree krishna was the place to be if you are not in a classroom during college. I wonder if i would have any friends left. But vaishali has a cult status now. And there are the usual stereo types. The ones in the smoking section seem uncanningly familiar. They are the ones who were you "seniors" when you first came to this place. They are still around, although a with a little bigger midsections. But the spirit remains the same. And then they are the usual sporty types from Fergie and B.M.C.C in their track pants and college sweatshirts. Discussing basketball, badminton or whatever sport they are into. And then the creme de la creme. The "Shining" in puneri terms. The good looking guys and girls in one major group of about 15-20.
Youth, with not a worry in the world. Happier times have surely passed by.
All said and done, the place stil has not lost it's charm. Some things never change. And thank heavens for that,

The begining

Just moved the blog to this space. Hope to make some use of this space. let's see how long i last on this one.