Friday, February 22, 2013

O the problems of Bandra youngsters today and their frankness.....


Teri baat bakwaas lagti hai,
tu kisi aur ki bhi khaas lagti hai,
itni der se fone free nahin hai tera,
aur tu mere calls ko track karti hai

wo kaun hai jis se cafe mein
tu smiles clash karti hai
mujhe farak nahin padta lekin
khud ko mujhse kyun attach karti hai?

tere liye mere paas time nahin
har time tu ye attack karti hai
jab dekho tab bbm chat pe
apna status 'Black!' kyun karti hai?

Main apni gaadi se khush hoon
tu Beemer ke liye nag kyun karti hai?
Aaj main full time tere saath hoon to
to friends ko saath drag kyun karti hai?

Tu mujhe achchi lagti hai
lekin uska itna full fayda kyun leti hai?
main 'is in a relationship' hoon to
tu 'its complicated' kyun karti hai?

Monday, February 18, 2013

Zubaan rakhte hain


Haan jo haasil e ilm zubaan rakhte hain
Apne lehje ka bhi dhyaan rakhte hain

Aksar karte hain jo daave tajurbe ke
baal apne siyaah imkaan rakhte hain

Roz jalte hain waswason ki lapton mein
Jo ghar mein ek beti jawaan rakhte hain

Teer e talab kabhi udhar se nahin aata
bhanvon mein kyun kamaan rakhte hain

Wo khul ke hanste hue bhi dekhe gaye 
lehja sirf hum se natavaan rakhte hain

nasiihat se jinki ghuroor tepakta tha
Muflisi mein bada itmenaan rakhte hain

Quateel Ahmad
15 February 2013

Friday, February 1, 2013

A misplaced notion - Review of the movie 'Jack Reacher'
2/10 | Quateel Ahmad | 2 Jan 2013

In India, one is used to seeing Hindi films, most heroes are Jack Reacher plus Sinatra and Gene Kelly - in built. So the fantasy part is easily digested. and the similarities don't end there. The music is loud and jarring during the opening sequence yet strangely absent at other times.
The miscast Cruise has managed to alienate me from both Tom Cruise the actor and Jack Reacher the i'm-not-a-hero guy. I like Tom's acting (since Legend, mind you) but he is just not able to convey the silent menace that Reacher is. Reacher's whole problem lies in being too big. Never a great thing for an investigator, it is simply incredible to assume that anyone Tom's size is having a problem blending in.
That said, this particular film is so Hindi film like it is not funny. The third person description of Reacher's persona, the good guy shooter in the climax, the fistfight etc all reek of a machismo that this chap on the screen is unable to convince me he has.
The script is good, tight and even. shot taking is neither here nor there. And even if you can overcome your aspersions on the main casting, you will have to make an effort to ignore the quip-like dialogue. Reacher's not a man of many words but he is not one of smart quips either. Also, you will have to ignore the plastic tension between the defense attorney and her investigator. Pike's role as the defence lawyer has no highlights despite padded-up screen time. The only thing real is the black police officer. For once, a good fresh grim looking face.
Why did I bother writing this review. To show that once superstars get involved they can jack the best new franchise up. This was a big movie made small by the big star. Lee Child, Tut tut. Tom Cruise, grow up. Or hire other actors if you are the producer. Read my lips 'for me you can never be Jack Reacher'. By cutting Reacher down to his size, he has ensured that people like me stay with the book. Venting complete.