Prem Kabootar (Hindi) - Manav Kaul (Book)

Prem Kabootar (Hindi) - Manav Kaul.

A very huge thanks to a superb dear friend who sent this book my way. Unfortunately I haven't read much of Hindi literature in last couple of years and this was an incredible new start. On top of that I am totally incapable of getting a Hindi font installed on my machine so I can talk about the book in as much Hindi I know in the trying times of today :) when it comes to our own mother tongue, my vocabulary is almost zero. But as I said, this was a superb mirror and it was such an amazing book to read which was totally not only able to keep a wide grin on my face but also give me so much food for my thoughts too. It was kind of a journey I took with the book and its amazing short stories which sent me back in my own childhood (as the Author calls them good old days so very well). Starting from the teenage years (and the love stories) to the making of a middle aged man with no purpose in life and achievements. Before I forget to mention, if you do not know the Author is an acclaimed Actor from Hindi Cinema. The latest movie that he did and we loved big time was "Tumhari Sulu" where he played Vidya Balan's Husband, the amazing character he played so well that I hated to love him in that role, if you know what I mean. Now a book coming from a person like that, makes it further more interesting. Going by his last name, I believe he is from the state of Jammu and Kashmir hence the pain in his stories is so much more evident and clear too. His Hindi is totally amazing and I loved that he didn't opt for English which is the trend in today's time. On top of that the use of English words which I believe he himself couldn't help in the story makes it even a better (I mean Hilarious) read.

First story is my favorite as it is indeed taken out of my own life (I wonder how), three best friends (teenagers) with their own set of stories, backgrounds and struggles, out of which one falls in love with a girl with the help of other who writers his love letters and in place the writer himself falls in love with the girl. What happens next is not only a cat and mouse chase of story with hilarious (and at times very serious thought provoking twists) and heart touching too. I always wonder why the best friends stories in our part of the world will always (read ALWAYS) have three guys in lead :). And the last one of a middle aged man, still lost in his long lost love story back from the days. This was the second best of the lot with such a touching story to tell and an amazing ending :) (almost) beyond my expectations. A set of two long and six short and very short stories, all have their own philosophical touches. I am totally amazed by his deep thinking and the way he calls himself "theek thaak" and nothing beyond that, on a scale of one to ten where 1 is the worst and 10 is the best, all his life he claims he stays somewhere in between 4.9 to 5.1 I believe, totally loved it.

One most important thing about these stories other than of-course having their hearts at the right place, I noticed another terrific thing that I wasn't actually reading the stories, I was rather gliding into them, with them. It was as if I was a part of the narrative, the connect was so strong and characters so genuinely written plus the way they speak, especially since it was in Hindi, it makes up for a superb awesome read. I am so much inclined to read a little more Hindi literature that I will be picking up a Bhishm Sahni Book (Tamas) next. Have you read a Hindi book recently that you recommend highly especially if it is from a contemporary writer, I would love to give it a try.

I am super glad that I got this recommended and even book sent by a friend otherwise this would have been another case of me discarding and shooting down a celebrity book without reading :(. This is a must must read for all, especially those who crave for Hindi literature and short meaningful stories.

Lust Stories (Netflix Original Movie).

Lust Stories (Netflix Original Movie).

Finally, I gave in to my curiosity and watched the "Lust Stories" and found it totally underwhelming, way below my expectations and heart-breaking too in parts.
Unfortunately the first three stories almost made no sense to me, I couldn't even fathom as to why they made it in the first place. But the last one and from someone who I expected nothing at all impressed me big time. The one made by Karan Johar which I wasn't even expecting much from totally made my day.

What shocked me to no end was that this is a "Netflix" Original where there is no censor board right? Even then they bloody showed No Sex and I found the title misleading. Wonder why even our Directors hide our own sexuality and still opt for camera pointing in space while the couple makes out in background :(. Wonder what was the purpose of it all? Life is full of lust? or revolves around our lusts? or lust is an important part of life? Life is all Lust? Lust is what life is? No Lust No Life? Any of them? All of them?

Fourt short stories directed by four acclaimed directors from our part of the world. Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibarak Banerjee and Karan Johar.

First story from Anurag Kashyap left so much more to be desired even when he had ravishing Radhika Apte as psycho crazy college professor who falls for her own student, goes physical with him even after being married (and separated I assume). Oh and before I forget to mention he actually used a transforming car in the short story where a Honda Accord becomes a Volkswagen by the end of the movie, that was entertaining.

Second story of a maid (Bhumi Pednekar) who impresses by her body language and expressions but was again underwhelming as I couldn't get it, why a maid will actually dream of getting married to her sahab was beyond me.

Third Story of a middle aged couple running out love in the long married life and falling in for one of their own best friend was heart touching, showing the crude reality of today's double standard life of loads of people, I loved the ending and total handling yet it left so much more to be desired from it. Jaideep Ahlawat, Manisha Koirala and Sanjay Kapoor were apt for the characters and had quite beautiful chemistry.

Fourth was the most impressive as I mentioned as it was Direct and to the point. Karan Johar undoubtedly impressed me big time. Terrific story of a recently married girl who wants to have an Orgasm and isn't afraid of fighting for it. Neha Dhupia as her friend cum accidental mentor was super awesome. Loved this one big time and I am glad that they saved the best for the last to keep the audience hooked I believe.

Did you watch "Lust Stories"? How did you like it?

Lethal White - Robert Galbraith (Book)

Lethal White - Robert Galbraith.

Saturday early morning my wife found me on sofa sleepless with my Kindle on top :). She was like "What the heck??" and I was like "Arre JK Rowling's new book came no, I have to read it before anyone posts a review", to which she responds "Harry Potter waali Rowling?" and I was like "Yeah, that's the one" and no one disturbed me for the rest of the weekend :D.

First time in my life I have received a recently published book that fast that I actually end up reading it in the first week of its release :). I loved it or not, thats altogether a different thing but all thanks to another superb friend of mine who mailed it my way on the very next day knowing the miser me that I am not going to buy a book priced upwards of 550/- but crave for it till I read it :). You know who you are? And you know very well that I love you :). (Wonder what I am getting next ;)). JK Rowling has a superb following and a huge credit of that as per me, goes to her believable life like characters of Cormoran Strike, who is always hungry, broke, irritated, in pain, in love, deprived of sleep and so much more in no particular order. But still I love him like anything and keep wishing that me the reader had any powers to turn the narrative a little bit in his favor. And then comes Robin, now I can say she is love of my life (Fictitiously of-course) and Cormoran's life too whereas I know that he is never ever going to confess his love for her and neither she will do it ever in this life time for sure. But I have a hunch (a big one at that) that by the end of the 7th book for sure, she will make them confess to each other and my dream will come true. But the way the story(s) developing between them and the cases that they solve with so much in sync just keeps making me fall in love with both of them deeper with every book that I finish. Again I will be saying this for the third time for this particular series that it just keeps getting better by the book, although "Lethal White's" ending was a big let down, its stretched too much, refuses to come and is way over the top still it takes nothing away from the fun that the reader gets by reading a terrific book close to almost 700 pages :).

JK Rowling definitely has some fetish with India too I believe. In the last book of the series "Career of Evil" we were introduced to a character called "Shanker" who helps Cormoran (he actually saves his life twice), and I thought it was just a co-incidence. But this time too we have an important character renting a flat owned by one Kasturi Kumar (name made me smile) with a few more Indian references it cleared my doubts that she does loves our part of the world too. Talking about the book in question, Cormoran Strike is a kind of celebrity detective after solving three big cases back to back much to the dismay of MET and Scotland Yard but has definitely gained some respect in their eyes too. Whereas Robin has gone from strength to strength with Strike, not only she has become a Partner from a mere temp who was wrongly sent to his office (in the first book) but has kind of develop a huge repo with him (which is no less than Love) but for some reason they bloody just don't accept it. And to break all of our hearts together she said "I do" in the last book of the series looking in Strike's eyes with a smile on her face. Now, you've got to read the book to know more about her married life and how it helps / hampers her detective career. This time too a person from Strike's past comes asking for a help who is now a Minister of Culture in London with the country readying itself for upcoming Olympic Games (2012). The two parallel tracks which Strike and Robin has to solve make up for a superb cat and mouse chase game. Struggling with their own person problems (Charlotte and Mathew) respectively, it is such a heart touching and a bit suspense cum (not much) thrilling story. The best part of any Strike book is Robin going undercover and doing the job with full style much to his own amazement, shock and surprise plus the time they spend together if they go on a long drive :). If you have read the earlier books, I will claim that I can see you smiling already.

As it applies too all Rowling books so far she has written, the more fat the book is the better it turns out for the reader. This one is no exception as it has almost everything, murder(s), drug abuse, black mailing, money, politics, mental illness, even Music (superb references) and a lot of Latin with which JKR keeps impressing her readers. She also takes digs on her counterpart from America "James Patterson" I guess as she names one of the lousiest characters after him (I may be reading too much but I believe so). The biggest turn off (surprisingly) for me in this book is its title, she could have named it anything and it would have worked equally well and the never coming ending of this one. Still, its a superb one time read, especially for those who have loved the series so far. I don't know how long we will have to wait for fifth book now but it will be worth it I guess. In the meantime, I plan to give the TV series a go after a brief break to save on the heart-break it may give me after much loving the books.

Although I do not consider myself any kind of expert but finding a mistake in a book Authored by someone like JKR, does puts a smile on my face. If you have read it, let me know if you were able to find any? I will let you know what I found in the comments.

Have you read the "Lethal White" yet or are you planning to read it any sooner? If you have, do let me know how you loved (or liked or hated) it.

A note to Robert Galbraith / JK Rowling: Can you please please please kill Mathew and Charlotte at the earliest. Put them both in a car and let it have a head-on collision with a truck or better, let them get shot by a terrorist and bleed to death or any other idea you may have, totally acceptable to me. But kill them soon please.

From Twinkle, with Love - Sandhya Menon (Book)

From Twinkle, with Love - Sandhya Menon.

This book came to me all the way from America :) sent by a very dear friend as we were (still are) in a phase called "How to deal with and understand a teenager". With my kiddo almost about to be a teenager, I got quite a few recommendations from the parents who've been there done that already. And this was one of the outstanding books on the subject I must say. All thanks to my friend, who ordered and sent it from USA as it was way too expensive (technically beyond my budget) and what a delightful read it turned out to be. Going by the cover and the blurb, I would have definitely kept it in the category "Books that I judge by cover and discard" as it sounded totally like a book written with a typical crowd of recently out of Jr college kids but it was so much more as I am sure it will help those youngsters who are confused about their future, career, love life, family, friends, psych and so much more. Even for a middle aged person like me with a growing kid and already a grown up confused cousin at home, it made so much more sense to me. I remember a few months back, I had posted something similar on Facebook, asking my more learned friends for advice on the same theme and this book came highly recommended. I got 2-3 more similar books but those I am yet to read, now that I have read this and loved it big time, I am totally eager to read them too ASAP which will further help me become a better parent I guess. Also, if you are a sucker for books and a filmy freak like me on top, this is a must must read as it satisfies both the audience in one shot. This is another of those books which convince me on the theory that you can take an Indian out of India but you can take India out of an Indian :). If you read the book, you will smile on that.

The entire book and story is written in first person as if the Author, the story teller is writing letters to her favorite Movie Directors sharing her own thoughts with them as her own life goes through a roller coaster ride of sorts. Story revolves around 30 days in the life of Twinkle Mehta (Jr High), 16 years of age, all she wants to do in life is to make movies to bring people closer to each other. The fantastic coming of age story if you ask me. In the mere 30 days, how life changes upside down for her and what important lessons she learns (and we do too with her) makes up for one heck of a fantastic read I must say. She writers letters, rather diary notes to her favorite Directors (Sofia Coppola, Nora Ephron, Mira Nair and so many more). A typical teenager, who is big time in love with Neil (totally one sided) and as she come across his twin Sahil, who is exactly his look-alike yet so much different in real, the story takes twist and a terrific turn. It does becomes very predictable and has cliche written all over the story yet the way it is done with so much heart in it that it just kept me glued to it almost throughout the 320 pages. Not for one moment I felt like I was reading quite a thick book but I felt as if someone has picked my own life's story in form of a book all the way from America. Typical Indian joint family with their own struggles, the only teenage daughter, who feels her parents don't care about her, they have no time for her. The only respite in her life is her old Granny who has her own whims and fancies, watch out for the lovely Dog they have and how it represents so much especially to Granny :), I totally loved it. She is almost invisible in school with no friends to fall back on, how Sahil comes in her life like a fresh breath of air and changes it upside down is the story all about. She is torn between the two feelings, to be loved by someone or to keep dreaming of someone she wants to love. And how it all shatters for her or falls in place is why you should read the book for.

Initially as I started reading it, I thought the chick language will turn me off gradually and the way it is written in Diary entries (dated and timed), plus in email communications and even in texts, but it just keeps getting so much better that I couldn't keep it down. One of the best teenage love stories I will say that I read in a long long time. One thing that confused me at time was, it felt like she was taking her diary everywhere she went as the entire book is written in "present tense" and yet no one even once mentioned to her that "What's that diary you are carrying with you?". Also, the movie that she makes with the help of her best buddies and how it all turns out had a big huge smile on my face. You've got to read the story to know which movie they remake, from what time and how in the end it turns out, although the final outcome is too far fetched but I will give a benefit of doubt to Sandhya Menon taking it all with a pinch of salt just because hat it is a work of fiction and the lesson in learning is way too good and heart-touching.

Have you read "From Twinkle, with Love" or her other work. Now I am keen to get her earlier book too and give it a read at the earliest. My next on the same subject is going to be "Tara Road" by Maeve Binchy. Have you read that?

PS: I love its front and back cover both. On front we have Twinkle with her film camera in a close up shot and on the back there is a cute picture of Sahil and Twinkle sitting together.

FOSLA (Frustrated One Side Lover's Association) - Pradeep Kapoor (Book)

FOSLA (Frustrated One Side Lover's Association) - Pradeep Kapoor.

Look at that name :) even the title had me in splits and I always wanted to read it and a very dear friend delighted me by sending a copy my way without informing :). Don't we all need more friends like that in our lives to make it more beautiful. On top of that the hilarious story revolves around a town called Bhopla which happens to be the same town I was born and brought up in :) and guess what, the co-incidences do not just end there yet :). The Author of the book Dr. Pradeep Kapoor who is so easily reachable on Facebook told me that he passed out of Gandhi Medical College (in book he made it Nehru Medical College) in the year 1986 :) I was born twelve years before that and right adjacent to the college campus is the biggest hospital of the town called Hamidia Hospital :) where I believe my mother must have taken me for earlier check-ups, broken bones, vaccination and what not :) No doubt, he and I could be roaming around the same corridors at the same time with no idea of how our paths may cross forty years down the line :) how kool is that :). One of my neighbors daughter I am still trying to trace who passed out from the same college but in the mid 90's, am not yet able to connect with so far. The only grudge that I had with the book was that I expected it to be a story of 90's if not any earlier and I am totally sure it would have made it further beautiful to read and laugh with. But Mr. Author decided to make it a contemporary story with not so distant past yet it takes nothing away from fantastic story as it is indeed a laugh riot and a very good light, short and sweet read. Which will definitely take you back in time to your own school cum college days and remind you of all the love and heart-break you must have faced :). I definitely did and can just not forget our own college days, sitting on the college wall waiting for Mt. Carmel or St Mary's buses to arrive and pass on through our campus :).

I guess we have read loads of book from the campus of an Engineering (read IIT) College or Management Colleges (read IIMs) all thanks to legendary Sir Chetan Bhagat but I fail to recall one book which was showed us the life of someone aspiring to become a Doctor. This is the first of its own kind and I am glad to have got this. Definitely going to gift it to a couple of my own Doctor friends, who will love it even more than I could as it has so many terms which actually initially made me pick up the dictionary but gradually it all started coming too easy as story picks up :). Love story of JD and Mansi during the four years of Graduation with their own set of friends going through their own parallel tracks is the book all about. They all come from different walks of life with their own struggles and backgrounds, what all they go though in the initial years of MBBS, ragging, making new friends, falling love, falling out of it, hilarious incidences and accidents and so much more. I tell you, Mr. Kapoor has some awesome sense of humor and I am doubly sure he has read and loved his own share of PG Wodehouse :) but hats off to him especially for the way he has kept the story's Indianness intact :). Even the characters in lead and the side kicks are so believable that their happiness becomes readers achievement and their sadness and heart-break (as the title suggests) which is indeed inevitable in life actually broke my heart. Another small grudge I have with his story being a Bhopali that I am is that he didn't explore the town of Bhopla to its true potential but I guess his second book "A Tale of Two Nights" will make me happy (or read sad) about it. Even that I have received from the same big hearted friend of mine :).

Have you read FOSLA? or any other book or story from a medical college? If you have read this one, do let me know how you liked it. Looking forward to his next one big time which is based on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

Career of Evil - Robert Galbraith (Book)

Career of Evil - Robert Galbraith.

Third book of the series and I must say that this is one heck of a series which just keeps getting better by the book. And what timing that I have finished this one :) as tomorrow is the launch of Robert Galbraith (read JK Rowling's) fourth book from the series named "Lethal White" which I will be looking forward to big time. Right from the very first book "The Cuckoo's Calling" I was more in love with Cormoran Strike the ex Army detective, his personality and of-course his "to die for" assistant cum partner Robin, who is more of an accident than a preferred choice by him. Although Cuckoo's Calling was nothing exceptional but the character building (as expected from JKR) was simply too good which kept me hooked to read the second part "The Silkworm" which further made me fall in love with both of them so much that I wished and prayed that they do get together or at least remained together for good. As Robin's personal relations are explored in details in that one, I totally disliked her love interest and later her fiance (the idiot) Mathew, I so much wished he should get shot by someone in the story. You really need to read the second book to know more on that and understand the reason for my hate for the man whereas the third and the book in question "Career of Evil" was so far the best of the series I must say. And again, as Robert Galbraith wanted me to fall big time in love with Robin and Cormoran equally but I am still undecided why when in the end of the book Robin says "I Do" smiling, looking in the eyes of Cormoran Strike, I do not feel so happy about it or am I actually happy for that smile? Confusing? Go read the book and come back to answer me.

JK Rowling no doubt is the master of writing book series that we readers love big time, she already proved it with much loved Harry Potter series and its support books. But with Strike Series she has taken in couple of notches ahead I must say and in full style. She has taken her own sweet time in developing the characters and with the third book of the series I got a terrific glimpse on Cormoran Strike as well as Robin's dark past. In superb details and yet in thrilling way they opened it up in this one which had me totally in awe with them. How wonderfully the story moves forward as Robin is engaged to be married to her lousy boy friend Mathews as parallel we have Cormoran getting to terms with his own break-up with his girl friend with whom he loved and lived for a dozen years or more. Much to my shock, surprise and sadness, they still do not accept the love that they have for each other, I so much wished that they will come to terms by the time this one comes to an end :). As both their pasts come haunting back right at them and they really need each other to work it all out and nail the culprit who is still behind them after all these years. Robin's life is in big danger as the killer decides to mail her body parts of couple of his victims had me in unexplainable feelings. Who are these people that he killed and where are the rest of the bodies? The entire story revolves not only around the killer, stalker and someone from their past but also around their present where they both are in their own personal relations about to get committed (even Cormoran that I just couldn't believe my eyes). But again as I said earlier too in my last post, Robin is one hell of a woman, even in this one, she comes much stronger and almost shoulder to shoulder with Strike if not any better than him. The way she handles the entire case(s) I was totally in awe and love with her.

I never expected a nail biting thriller cum suspense story from JKR so much that even after trying so hard, it was totally not my cup of tea to guess the killer just like it is always the case with MET :) I too was totally clueless. The built up was so strong and the story is so engaging that it was very hard for me to take a break from the book and get on with other things in life. As long as I stayed away from the book, I was wishing that Robin remains safe away from the clutches of her stalker (I know, I am crazy) and hoped that Cormoran will keep her safe and sound. You've got to read this fantastic book to know what, how and why it happens to be such an amazing thriller. Also, I need to see the much praised TV series now after a short break so it won't break my heart when I compare it with the book series :) have you read this or see the TV series based on it?

PS: The fourth of the series is getting launched tomorrow and is bloody priced at 550/- :O. I guess I will have to wait for a big hearted donor to donate me the book on read and return basis :).

Getting a Driver's Licence in India...... in 21st Century.

 21st Century.

India Shining.
Mera Desh Badal Raha Hai.... Aagey Badh Raha Hai.

And still why does it feels like an achievement to get your basic rights in the first place.

The story goes like this that my first driver's licence expired some 18 months ago. The total careless that I am, I only realized once a cop stopped me and told me that its been six months that I was driving with an expired permit. I had got it in the year 1998 and since last almost one year I struggled like anything to get one done for myself. As it was already 6 months since expiration and Noida authority has no online file for my licence, they only requested me to come in person so they can get it renewed and I found it too tedious to visit Noida for the reason.

Pune Licencing authority was no different, half the time their online server is totally confusing, to upload the documents you first need to do a graduate course in graphic designing as the size of documents they allow to upload wasn't my cup of tea to squeeze something so small :) on top of that the appoints available are always two months ahead of the date you file the first application. And the unpredictable life that I live, on the first occasion of my first trial day I was too drunk to appear. Second time I made sure to remember the date but that day their server decided to go down only after we had spent 4 hours standing in the serpentine queue :). But that gave me an opportunity to visit any-day in next seven days and I visited on the very last day, got the bio-metric, documentation done but failed in the online test :D the super confident that I am, I didn't even looked at the board with signs to read them thinking that I've been driving for 21 years now, how hard it could be :) couldn't even score 5 marks out of 20 I guess of which 17 are mandatory to pass. I was surprised by the illogical questions and the answers that were correct as per the Authority. Posting some gem of these questions, take a look yourself and decide if they made any sense to you.

Next online test appointment I got was after another 20 odd days :) and I almost would have missed that today, had I missed the flight last night from Bangalore by a whisker. Finally the D day arrived today and I took some 20 mock tests today with my red eyes due to travel and sleepless night. In flat 4 minutes I was done with the test and the over smart invigilator asked me "Failed??" as I guess no one would have cleared the test that fast. I would have broken my own record if their mouse was any better on the 486 that they still use with those CRT monitors from Baba Adam's time. She looked at the screen saying "Pass" twice before telling me to go to the next window and collect my Learner's Licence :)

But could that be that easy?? No Sir, my luck wasn't any better today, as soon as I stepped out of the test room there came the power failure to make it even more interesting. And because of the failure the server didn't update the main system and the printing lady didn't receive my approved file :). Our office's server admin came to my rescue and told me to take a break of half an hour and as per his calculation the RTO server would sync everything every 45 minutes for sure. Bang On!! Exactly 45 minutes later I got a text stating "You have conquered the world, collect your trophy from the window" :D.
Now, the real test starts a month later when I will have to actually ride a motor cycle with gear in front of an audience :D followed by an LMV driving test too in front of a different audience before I am allowed to drive alone on the unsafe roads of my country.
Still, wifey pointed out that I couldn't control my smile throughout the next hour or so from the moment I got those precious two laminated papers saying that I could ride and drive a vehicle only when a Licence holder either sits pillion on my two wheeler or besides me in a four wheeler :D.
That made me wonder, why still there is so much struggle in India to get your basic rights in place? Few years ago getting a Passport was harrowing, now this. Is this how it is in the other countries too? If you have an experience of similar sorts from some other country do come and pacify me please. But if it is any better than this, I dunno how to react. As I guess we are still a few decades away from these things getting streamlined in our part of the world, aren't we?