Add 1 to 2009 = 2010

2009 was a washout. Okay, it was a mixed year. Boring on a social level but extremely beneficial on a work level. I reached ultimate highs and managed to touch the lowest of all lows. But should I have expected that? Check out my great numerological math. Supposedly factor of three (3,6,9,12 and so on) are lucky for me. 2009: 2+0+0+9 = 11; 1+1=2 and I turned 26; 2+6= 8. Basically factors of 2. Numerologically, 2009 was not meant to be much of a year and towards the end of the year, it really did manage to challenge me and slap me across the face pretty damn hard. Anyway, the year is over and all in the past. A new year always means new beginnings and I have a gut feeling 2010 is going to be my year. And numerologically, it works too. 2010: 2+0+1+0= 3 (YAY! factor of 3) and this year I turn 27: 2+7= 9 -- yet another factor of 3! Alright this is all superstitious banter but I do hope it does happen.

I bought it 2010 rather quietly but that didnt really bother me. I'm used to quiet New Years Eves. Its become a part of my life now. I just hope I have a quiet productive 2010 with no unnecessary hungama. And that is all I really ask for along with successes in my personal and professional life. I dont think that is TOO much to ask for...is it now?

This year:
Chase a dream, Walk along a stream,
Laugh out loud, Whistle a tune,
Whisper a promise, Cherish a memory,
Lend a helping hand,
Wipe a tear, Never fear.
And live it up! Happy 2010!

Dear Bollywood,

Dear Bollywood,

For years now, I have advocated for you on numerous accounts. When Indian audiences back in the eighties chose Hollywood flicks over Desi ones, it was me to stood by you knowing that you would be back and how. And bounce back you did. The nineties saw some great dishoom-dishoom type movies come to the surface making Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff look like heroes as they kicked and punched while they rolled down hills with their respective heroines. Later it was Govinda and Karisma Kapoor who ruled the charts with their popular pelvic thrusts as they danced to music which was bestowed with obscene lyrics. Who will ever forget one "Sarkay Liyo Khatiya" followed by the popular "Bhel Puri" and "Sexy Pant" numbers? Granted, you were still not making quality films, but they catered to the masses and we weren't complaining. The run-of-mill style films became incredibly popular; cheesy music, big hair, bright clothes, we endured it all. But love, we did not stop loving you. For those of us who lived abroad, you were the one way we could stay close to home and those who claimed you were simply "not watchable," I knew they were secretly indulging in some Bollywood action. And this they certainly were. Into the new Millennium, films became more stylized. We saw the emergence of the new heart throb Hrithik Roshan; YashRaj Films became sappier; Lagaan was sent as India's official entry to the Oscars; Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor were launched only to look for refuge and of course, Karan Johar taught us "It's All About Loving Your Parents..." You kept hitting rock-bottoms, but we did not lose faith in you. Whenever you hit rock-bottom, you were back with a bang and how. Towards the end of last year, 2008, nothing seemed to provide us with full-too entertainment. And just when we had begin to think nothing could save you, it was faithful Aamir Khan who bought you back to life with Ghajini.

Amidst all the ups-and-downs, I stood by you loyally. They why? Why, oh why, have you recently started to torture me? More recently, I tried and failed to understand why you have been jutting out such nonsense! Have we not evolved in our film making ways? Have we not moved on from the gissa-pitta story lines only to take on smarter and more intellectual ones? So then explain to me why it is that in more recent times you have shown me such despite and hatred? I go around singing your praise only to be met by films that are simply terrible! Need I name a few? Let us dissect this new hatred you have recently showered me with. 2008; we had fab films like Rock On!, A Wednesday, Oye Lucky and a few other ones worth mentioning. And then amidst the chaos, I was forced to witness one Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Tashan, Singh is Kinng and a frightful film about angels known as Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic. Why would you do this to me, oh dear Bollywood. I think you should consider your relationship with YashRaj...He is not good for you. And then I assumed after Ghajini in 2009, you would have learnt better. But alas, as Confucious once said, "Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous." 2009 is close to ending, and what do you have to say for yourself? Let me remind you: Chandni Chowk to China, 8x10 Tasveer, Paying Guest, Kambakkht Ishq, Dil Bole Hadippa, What's Your Rashee. A depressing list needless to say.

I do hope you will reconsider the way you treat me. I hope you will talk to your "film maker friends" who are betraying you this way. And more importantly, please re look at our relationship; one we have had for years now. Perhaps I too should look west and admire the quality that Hollywood manages to throw out versus the quality less but quantity-filled trash you have insisted on forcing down me. Please do not hate me so; I still have hope and faith that you will quickly mend our deteriorating relationship...yes?

Awaiting your earnest reply in the form of some at least decent movies.

Love,
Roshni

The First Raindrops of 2009

As much as I was p'ed off when my Mom made me run an errand today evening while I was in lazy mode and plonked myself on the couch all day in my pj's while I wrote all afternoon, it landed up being one of the most coolest five minutes of my life. It rained! It was the first rainfall of 2009 and it was heavenly. The rain fell on my face and I felt like my all my negative energy, all my sins and all my pains were washed away. The sweet smell of the dirt and mud smelt better than any slice of chocolate cake or a bouquet of roses. I wish I could have captured that moment in a bottle and every time I felt down and out, I could crack open that bottle and feel whole again. It was the first time I felt every raindrop on my skin, and the cool molecules seeped through my pores sinking into my skin. Beautiful. It reminded me of times where I was happier...in Bombay. The monsoons of Bombay was the best in the world and all I can remember is the smell and the touch of the water on my skin. And after days feeling like crap, I felt myself again. And all it took was the first raindrops of 2009.