100 Word Review: Shor

Ekta Kapoor’s Shor is one that has already been making waves internationally. The city of dreams, Mumbai, Shor follows the lives of goons who run the “fake” book industry in the city. When they land their hands on a bag of weapons, they find themselves going green with greed. On the flip side, an aspiring cricketer has to pay a bribe if he is to get on the team and marry his girl. Fabulously captured with great performances all around. The characterization of Mumbai is beautifully depicted during festival season. Shor is a must watch…and not just for Mumbaikars.

An Ode to Team India

Beloved Team India,

Team India: World Champions!

I love cricket. No wait, I love, heart, pyar, ishq, mohabbat the sport. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you, “Roshni is the mistress of cricket!” I'm not your average team India fan. I don't just get happy when team India wins, I cry my eyes out. I don't get upset when the team loses, I find myself sulking for days. I'm not sure what my connection with cricket is. I was all of eleven when my Father introduced me to the sport. We were shopping for my uncles wedding and I found myself surprised to find every store in Mumbai equipped with a television surrounded its employees. I question the infatuation and guess what? It hit me like a googly. I was bowled out, middle stump. After I learned the basics and intricate details, I found myself mesmerized, addicted, obsessed. From then on, I became a team India cricket fanatic following the team through all their tours and even the 2007 World Cup. I knew then, I was hooked for life. It wasn't as though I became a team India fan by default. Yes, I love India, everyone knows that but I genuinely believed (and still do) in the temperament and future of Indian cricket. The talent was (and is) incredible. Like every cricket fan, I too was waiting with baited breath for the team to take home the Cricket World Cup. With every win over the last few years, the team proved more and more, that they deserved it. On April 2nd, 2011, it happened. You, team India, fulfilled the ultimate Indian cricket fans dream: you won the Cricket World Cup on home ground.

As soon as the skipper hit the last sixer out of the stadium, I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer. And then I did what I didn't think I would do: I cried. Why I bawled? I'll never know. Maybe it was because of sheer pride for my country. Maybe it was because as a cricket fan, I saw my team, whom I loved and followed for years now, complete a dream that every fan wished for. Or maybe it was just one of those moments where happiness couldn't be expressed in any other way but sheer tears. In fact, it took me a few hours for this reality to sink in before the rona-dona completely stopped.

I'm not sure what incentive you boys went in with. Whether it was for to prove to the world, that you are indeed are the best, or it was to give Sachin the best farewell World Cup or for just for the country. Whatever your incentive, my boys, you played like complete champions. From the first match through to the final, you proved that you really are world class cricketers in every sense of the way and put every critic, who didn't think you lads could do it, to shame.

Like fans all over, I too watched in horror when Dhoni walked onto the pitch ahead of Yuvraj. “What on earth!” I thought. And I'll be honest, I have been skeptical of M.S. Dhoni as a captain. Not because he isn't capable of producing results. No. He is India's most successful captain and has proved it time and time again. His selfless attitude is one that is admirable in every which way. Dhoni's love for his boys and his eagerness for them to perform is beautiful. But it's his arrogance that irked me. However, at the final, he really outdid himself. His decision to come in and take care of the game was one that I’ll never question. What I believed would bring him down, he worked to his advantage. There was pressure but at no point did he display it nor did he crumble. Straight faced he handled it. And then, when it was really needed, the skipper played the ultimate captain’s innings. To you, I owe an apology. In all honesty, this World Cup would have been impossible without you. Captain Cool, you rock!

And how can I forget the one man whom I look up to, admire and worship in the cricket world, Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. The joy I felt when I saw you being carried by the team around the grounds, flag and cup in hand, is one that I will never forget. There is and will never be a cricketer like you. You style, grace and humility can never be imitated. And I assure you, not only me, but Indians all over including your team, will agree with me. Sachin Tendulkar, thank you for making Indian cricket what it is today. We love you!

Lastly, while we all sit and go on about the team without giving the man who changed the face of this team: Gary Kirsten. We see so little of him, but it is really the South African coach who turned things around for Team India. The team we see today, a world class team, is only because of him. The whole country salutes you, Gary. Kudos!

I never doubted you Team India. Even when it looked tough out there, I had faith in you boys. And every time you pulled through like true champions. As Indians, we couldn't be more proud of you all. We prayed hard, over one billion of us. We chanted shloks, hymns and prayer beads at every match. And yes, we all succumbed to strange superstitions – staying seated in the same chair for an entire innings if we needed to as we were scared things would fall apart if we moved. But you gave us exactly what we wanted: dhinchak, bindaas, fultoo cricket followed by the biggest jeet, any Indian could ask for.

As I sit to write this piece today, it is April 3rd 2011. A whole day has passed since the victory and it happens to be my birthday. A few weeks ago, I was asked, "What do you want for a birthday present?" My answer: "For India to win the Cricket World Cup." Thank you for giving me the best birthday present any Indian cricket fan could ask for. Nothing could substitute for a better present. Not a diamond ring, not a million bucks, not even a Bollywood blockbuster. As for the party? Well, a party that has been 28 years in the making has to be fab! Ask people on the streets in India who partied like it was millennium.

Men in Blue, M.S. Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Sreesanth, Ashish Nehra, Piyush Chawla, R. Ashwin and Yusuf Pathan, Congratulations! We won!

Love always:
A proud Indian, a Desi girl who loves cricket, vows to Bleed Blue forever and the happiest birthday girl in the world!

Mumbai Meri Jaan!

My favorite scene: The Queens Necklace

Old news: I love Mumbai. At heart, I'll always be a Bombaywalli, sorry Bombayite, oh sorry again, Mumbaikar. Yes, the politically correct term for a Mumbai resident is a Mumbaikar. Any of those three monikers will do for me; ultimately they all mean the same. I'm not exactly how and why my connection with Mumbai is so strong but it's the only place on the planet I consider home. Perhaps it's more of a psychological connect. I associate the city with some of my most fond memories which include family, friends and of course, films. But I think my connection is far more deeper. My senses are immediately heightened the minute I land in the city. All the scents regular people complain of, I crave for: the dirt, the humidity, the phinal - all of it.

Memories: The Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba

It's really odd how people go through their entire lives simply in accord with where they're born as home. No one really feels the need to find their home. But then again, each of us have a different definition of the word "home". Anyway, for me I always feel that at some point in my own life I'd have a permanent home in Mumbai. The city has taught me, even from afar, to simply believe. I'm not sure what vibe Mumbai possesses, one that neither New York or Hong Kong even closely can imitate, but it works for me. It's exciting and scary, tingling and daring but it's exactly what excites me.

Where else in the world would seeing people sleeping on the streets seem super normal even though it isn't correct? You could walking in the dreaded heat and humidity but all it takes is a good chilled glass of nimbu pani and you're ready to face the grind again. Amidst the immense negatives, Mumbai manages to suck you in as you slowly love the asphalt and cement. A concrete jungle which is warm and welcoming.

Hanging Gardens!

But it's the people who make the city so god-damned addictive. They will give it to you as it is and yet welcome you with warm arms. And yet certain areas of the city are so intensely mesmerizing, that you find yourself submerged in a confused state of mind; to love or not?

I for one, am Mumbai's biggest fan. I don't care what anyone says, I simply love the city. Nothing, and I mean N.O.T.H.I.N.G can stop me from my love and I uniting forever.

Obama Chale St. Xaviers!

For the most part, I'm not too concerned about American politics. I find it a tad bit boring if anything. Politics ho toh India jaisa; mazedaar! But when "The" President of the United States of America visits the motherland, then you know I'm on it covering every moment, every comment, every step. And amidst the fancy dinners with the best of India ala Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Aamir Khan and Manmohan Singh, the rock stars of entire trip had to be the student of St. Xavier College, Mumbai. In what is easily the most democratic events in India and mind you has never been organized in the history of Indian politics, was an open "town hall" debate where the students had the unique chance of asking Obama questions during a question answer session. The students were treated to a quick intro by Michelle Obama who encouraged the students to ask her husband, some toughies in the form of questions.

While I'm not an avid Obama fan, he did make some valid and other controversial remarks which had me both smiling and then debating. His opening speech highlighted some interesting areas which most students would be able to connect and resonate with. The rhetorical questions geared toward generating more verve in India today really had me going. Obama asked the 300 odd students,"What do you want India to look like in 20 years?" And then he quickly informed them that ultimately this was a question they needed to answer themselves. Despite the terrorism and poverty in the country, Obama recognized the country had progressed and how.

A friend of mine made a valid point. "Obama will go away from India a happy man believing the country is one of the most hospitable. And India played fab host to the President. They ensured his security and made sure their was no reason to complain during his time in India. Now if the government could do the same for its citizens," she said. Baat mein dum hai bhai.

Getting back to his question-answer session with the Xavier students, only five lucky ones were allowed this chance courtesy of the short time. However, those five managed to ask some of the most rock star questions ever. They quizzed him on his opinion of Jihadi's, how to encourage brotherhood in the country, his admiration for Gandhi, his real understanding of his favorite word "Change" and what was really going on on the Afghanistan front. But it was a young girl in glasses who was given the microphone and asked the ultimate question, "Why is Pakistan so important an ally to America that so far America has never called it a terrorist state?" Silence. And then a stuttering Obama answered something that is considered a answer but really just deviated from the question if you ask me. He went on to make a point that I completely and utterly disagree with. "May be surprising to some of you, but I think India has the biggest stake in the success of Pakistan. If Pakistan is unstable, that's bad for India. If it's good and prosperous, that's good," he said. And almost immediately, I found myself in a debate with my father over this. Economy-wise India does not rely on Pakistan. However, in order to keep the peace with a neighboring country that is as volatile as Pakistan and whose government is so unstable. So I guess in that aspect, yes, it is important for Pakistan to be successful. However, how it benefits India ultimately is simply on a safety level.

And with that, the town hall debate came to an end. Ultimately, it wasn't Obama who came out looking like a rock star but the students who shed all inhibitions and asked away. Great to see such honesty and zeal. Now if only our own politicians would come out and talk to the youth like Obama really encouraging true democracy in the country. Until then, power to the students of Xavier; you have officially been bestowed with rock star status...from me anyway!

I'll Never Change!

No matter where I live, there are things about me that will a) remain Sindhi and b) remind me that in reality, I was born and raised in Hong Kong. On a daily basis I find myself realizing that old habits die hard and that while I may have hopped around the whole world, it is impossible to rid myself of these traits. Good or bad, I don't know. I do know they exist and so, they are an innate part of me. Check it out!


The Sindhi in me: 
* Always looking to see what xyz person is wearing
* Constantly thinking of ways to make money
* Loves to socialize
* Wants to travel
* Looks for ways to link myself to every Sindhi I meet

The Bombayite in me:
* Loves Page 3 and Bollywood
* Religiously watches After Hours on Zee to keep up with current events in the city
* Craves rasta food
* Sees a row of lights by water and immediately thinks about the Queens Necklace
* Smells phinal and is reminded of Mumbai Airport

The American in me:
* Thinks everything is chalta hai
* Can't understand why a live-in relationship is such a big deal
* Understands why Americans have lurve milkshakes and fries
* Believes that you get the best candy at the cinema


The Hong Konger in me:
* Cannot fathom Dim Sum on any other day but Sunday
* Has no issue with smelly tofu or watching fish being skinned at the local Chinese stores
* Loves Haw Flakes (if you don't know what that is, look here)
* Adores Hong Kong food

See what I mean! Nothing will every change. I'll move all over the world, and yet I will be the Sindhi girl who was born and raised in Hong Kong, who spent too many summers in Mumbai and then moved to the US for studies. I am who I am!

Now India Runs on Dunkins?

Dunkin Donuts has officially opened in Mumbai! Although it really is late; Baskin Robbins, an official partner with DD's opened up in India eons ago. However, it has opened to much hoopla - naturally. The story goes like this. One day my grandmother, who live in the snooty South Mumbai decided to head out to Breach Candy and to her surprise saw a flock of people crowded around a new Donut store; all American- Dunkin Donuts. So in she walks and after waiting in line for a while, she finally gets to the front to find out that each donut costs 200 rupees! TWO HUNDRED RUPEES? When she reiterated the story to me, I found myself dumb-founded. Living in the US it costs me at the very most 99 cents a pop which works out 48 rupees. So basically, I've come to believe that Americans believe that Donuts in India are working out to be a novelty or a luxury food even. However, they have had donuts in India for a while now -- desi style of course.

This struck up a cool conversation with my mom regarding the opening of an American Donut Store in India. While I sat and pondered over how on earth the corporate office came up with this calculation, my mom was quick to explain to me a few things. Firstly, the location -- Breach Candy in South Mumbai was filled with rich folks for whom 200 rupees is literally 99 cents equivalent. And and and, if you buy 3 donuts, you can snag a deal for 500 rupees. So that covers the upper-crust. What about the middle-working class? Well for them, this becomes a luxury that they will learn to appreciate -- and only be able to indulge in on rare occasions. Either way Dunkin Donuts has found itself a new niche market. That's for sure.

Needless to say, my grandmom bought a whole bunch of donuts-- she can't resist them. I for one found myself not only craving a good jelly donut but appreciating the mere dollar I have to spend to get donut versus the four I would have to spend if I bought it in Mumbai.

Photo Credit: http://epicurious.blogs.com

Got "Inked?"

Election Season is in full swing in India and today, April 30th, Maximum City Mumbai had its day out to cast its ballot. And while I personally expected a superb voter turnout, Mumbaikars totally fazzled the media, the candidates, the rest of the country and myself with only 46% of registered voters only turning up to vote. One would think that after the 26/11 attacks and all the events that followed, Mumbaikars would have taken full advantage of this voting opportunity. However that doesn't seem to be the case. Clearly, Mumbaikars have lost the spirit and anger they possessed post 26/11 and have gone back to their self-obsessed attitudes. Or perhaps they simply couldn't be bothered to get out of the house in the wretched heat- India is currently going through a heat wave reporting record high temperatures, and instead chose to sit in their a.c. fitted houses instead. Sadly, the country has taken the heat for its people numerous times, and when it came down for its citizens to do the same, come out and vote, they didn't feel the need to "take the heat." For the life of me, I cannot seem to fathom how they could NOT have wanted to even vote. It makes absolutely NO sense. Voting is not only a birth right for every Indian citizen, but also a constitutional right. This one day every four years, Indian citizens are allowed to come out and speak their minds about the manner in which their country runs. It simply saddens me, that about 60% of Mumbai decided it wasn't worth it. They complain nonstop about their leaders, of which 17% own criminal records, but yet they won't come out to oust them. Mumbaikars, if you came out and did you "thang," props to you, if not, shame on you.

The Bollywood brigade came out in full force to vote and stand behind what they all had been advertising about all over the media waves. The likes of Sonam Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, Shakti Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Hema Malini, Esha Deol, Javed Akhtar, Ranbir Kapoor, the Bachchan clan, Karan Johar, John Abraham, Emraan Hashmi, Vidya Balan, Gulzar, Boman Irani, Sonali Bendre and husband Goldie Behl, Prem Chopra, Shah Rukh Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Sanjay and Maanyata Dutt, Rakesh Roshan, Amrita Rao and a whole lot more all casted their ballots depite the scorching heat. Hint Hint Mumbaikars. If the stars, who are known for their personal nakhres can come out and do their thing for the country, why couldn't you? Tut-tut. As John Abraham said to those who didn't come out to vote, "If you don't vote, you can't complain for the next four years." I agree. You didn't get "inked" and hence, you ain't got no right. That said, the celebs made the middle-finger-ink a fashion statement to beckon with this year. A whole range of them stuck up their middle-fingers, figuratively and literally, as the media snapped pictures of them. Check it out!

Photo Credit: [Proud to be Indian] SantaBanta.com

Tales from my Grandmother

My grandmother has seen life in all its facets and extremes. If she's seen the best, she has also unfortunately, seen the worst of times too. While she is always up to telling me lots of fascinating stories about her childhood, her marriage and times in between, she also never fails to educate me. One of the best tales she has told me was about a small well natural spring that is in my neighborhood in Mumbai. About a miles walk from our tall raised building in South Mumbai, lies an spiritual area filled with small temples, guru's and the Banganga or Bal Ganga. Honestly, I've visited this natural spring many a time, but never have I questioned its existence and always thought that it was man made. However, one evening as my grandmother and I took a walk, I asked her if she had been there recently to which she quickly replied, "Of course!" I smiled to myself and wondered why I had even asked that ridiculous question. This was my grandmother - whom I refer to as Mummy. She was the most religious being I knew. She then told me that the Bal Ganga had a beautiful story which has been virtually untold and unknown.

As the story goes, when Lord Ram, his wife Sita and brother Lakshman had stopped in this area for a break while his kingdom was being terrorized by the demon God Ravan. The trio were thirsty for water and when none was to be found, he shot an arrow into the ground which produced what is now known as the Bal Ganga. Attached to the ganga, is a small temple known as Walkeshwar Mandir. The mandir is said to be built of sand by Lakshman, hence the name. According to legend, Valuka Ishwar means Lord of the Sand. Every year, musical maestros and traditional dancers get together to dance on the banks of the Bal Ganga and give their offerings to Lord Ram.

It's amazing how we miss out on such amazing details in our own neighborhood. Granted, I've never lived in Mumbai but in my heart, I've always been a Bombaywala. After the story was over, I looked at my grandmother and was so thrilled that she had told me such an amazing story. It was one I knew I would pass down to my own children. It was then I had another realization. On a daily basis, I read of the youth wanting to help the country. They want to adopt children who are unfortunate, give them a great life and add to their list of good deeds. Additionally and hopefully, the one above may look at their wonderful act of service and decide to knock of a few bad karma points. But what really sucks, is that they don't realize that we are so bothered about tomorrow, that we forgot about yesterday; i.e. Senior Citizens. These are the very people who gained us our independence from the evil clutches of colonial rule, they have taught us lessons in life and once they become a tad bit old (I dislike the world senile), we toss 'em in an old age home. Honestly, old age homes should be banned not only in India but across the world. It's sad how we fail to realize their importance in our lives. I wish for every adopted child, people across the world would also adopt a senior citizen. Until then, I do hope that I can one day be of some use to these amazing people.

Lesson(s) Learnt: 1) My grandmom is a rock star, 2) Old folk tell the best stories, give the best hugs, and have the softest hands in the world. Because I may never get to do this, I love you Mummy!

Photo Credit: www.gsbkerala.com/gsbmutt.htm