For a Better Governance, a Better Democracy

A democracy can work if every citizen posesses a perfect information.

Here are few of the tools that I would like to share, which I believe if everyone starts using - this democracy will move from being a group of several anarches headed by MPs to a real democracy:

# Know your MLAs and MPs, and communicate with them:
http://www.mpmla.in/

This website is an unbiased effort to facilitate communication between people and their respective MPs/MLAs in India. The people can put across their grievance/appreciation to their MP/MLA and the MP/MLA can choose to respond and address the issue. We hold no bias and no political affiliation what so ever.

#Information about the Educational qualifications, Assets/Liabilities, Criminal Cases for MPs in LS & RS:
http://myneta.info/

This is basically digitized data from affidavits submitted by candidates in Parliamentary and State Assembly elections.

#http://adrindia.org/About-Us/Content/about-adr.html

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) was established in August 1999 by a group of Professors from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. It started working on building fair and transparent electoral and political processes in the country by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in August 1999 in the Delhi High Court asking for mandatory disclosure of criminal, financial and educational background of candidates contesting elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures, prior to the polls. In November 2000, ADR got its first achievement when the Delhi High Court gave its judgment in favor of ADR.

# Election Results, Candidate lists, Cabinet of Ministers List, Information on General & Assembly Elections:

http://www.indian-elections.com/

Bol.. (Speak Out)

Bol, meaning Speak Out.. express yourself.. don't be silent. And, that's what this film is all about.

I have not seen anything like this before, anything! It's brave, intelligent and progressive Cinema with contemporary make believe treatment. The subject is bold and intense, and not everyone is going to like everything about this film.

#What I did not like is the acting in the opening sequence, the opening sequence required flawless, very mature acting but it looked far from convincing, however from thereon the film grows on you and you forget about the not so good acting by the actress in first sequence.

# One of the many things that I liked about the film is the way the director puts into the *right perspective* some of the Old World Wisdom. The lead actress keeps on correcting her father by putting the old world wisdom quotes into correct perspective, whenever her father tries to escape a difficult situation in life by quoting those. One of the exaple is "Nothing happens without the will of the God", which is so often mis-used to justify wrong doings. You have to see the film to find out how the Father uses this wisomd quote to escape difficult situations in life and how his daughter trieds to put some sense in him by putting things in correct perspective.

#Also, it was intelligent to not make the film an out an out weepie stuff and eye some awards. The film is witty and humourous in places, though it's humour only for the audience and not for the characters. But, one just can not help laughing at the misery of the characters - mostly sarcasm, but it comes as a good relief. One of the great comic moments is when one of the daughter (Pakistani Family) prays for Tendulkar's century and her father gets to know about it.

#Although the film is based in Pakistan and talks about the family that moved from Lucknow to Lahore, the film's wisdom holds good for all the conservative and poor families that live in this continent, the rural India and Pakistan.

#The film ends at a rather positive note by showing how the family prospers when all the women of the family start working and earning. It shows a ray of hope and it's a good contrast made by the director to convey his point.

#There's a question that the protagonist asks at the end of the film. However, more important is the question that will this movie be watched by the people who matter? The people who are sought to be changed.. the vast majority of rual India and Pakistan? The multiplex audience will throng to catch a glimpse, no doubt.

Some Text from reviews:
"After Khuda Ke Liye, Bol is Shoaib Mansoor`s second dramatic breakthrough of revealing life with its complexities. The web of relationships within a family that barely makes ends meet. On top of the poverty, the father subscribes to a set of values many would relate to…values that we inherit and tightly hold on to, values that embody contradictions, and values that have not been questioned." - Book My Show

"It is strident, melodramatic and unmistakably out for the jugular. But in the end, it drives home its point in a manner that is compelling enough for all the effort not to be dismissed as much ado about nothing.

Mansoor sets the tone and tenor at the very outset. A young Lahore woman, having defiantly refrained from defending herself in court, is sentenced to death. The President of Pakistan summarily rejects her mercy plea. The convict is, however, granted a last wish: she is allowed to tell her side of the story to the media before she is led to the gallows." - - NDTV Movies

"The story focuses on Zainab, a daughter who always feels compelled by her logical reasoning and sense of justice to challenge the values her father holds dear. It’s an emotional film, which looks at some serious issues through the experiences of its characters.

The real two stars of the film were Zainab (Humaima Malick) and her father Hakim Saab (Manzar Sehbai). A particular mention of the father, as he chronicled the emotions of a religiously timid character, to regressively patriarchal father and finally a menacing and hypocritical tyrant, convincingly and whilst making you loath him throughout the film." - Bollyspice/Indiatimes

Youtube video of the Making of Bol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdA_lzDyR2s

India's Dirty Belly.. Delhi!!

Delhi Belly! The film has nothing to do with Delhi, however Delhi can be taken as a Metaphor for the entire country & the film is a sarcastic take on many things that we have learnt to believe as part of life in this country. Be it the dangling electricity wires, poor housing, shabby living standards or the superficiality of our metropolitan cities.

I am not a film critic by profession but I do carry opinions and I do like things, hate things, dispise things and appreciate the ones that deserve. This film is something that I have loved watching every bit, and there are very few others that I can put in this category.

No it's not the greatest story ever told on Indian cinema screens but it's a revolution none the less. With a simple story in the foreground, It mostly deals in the metaphors. I have seen it as an expression to the deep-covered up-Indian-youth's-frustration, I see it as a satire on India's Metropolitan life. I see it as a satire on the *India Shining * campaigns, a nightmare sold in the disguise of a Dream.

It tells you a simple story of 3 young boys who bump in to a criminal-gang & what happens from there on is a funny roller-coster ride. However, that's the story on the face of it. The treatment and the script leaves an intelligent cinema-goer to ponder over the subtle-messages that are thrown around by the scriptwriter in the form of localities where the film is set, the characters and the sub-plots. The dark humour would be missed by those who would take it on it's face value.

The three male protagonists who are seemingly from good families but are living in filthy conditions is probably a take on the state of education & employment in India and housing in metropolitan cities. The female protagonists appear to be the caricatures of those materialistic metropolitan females in India who carry a frivoluous understanding of the word 'Freedom' & 'Love'? The middle-class neighborhood is a satire on the double-standards of our society. The slum like dwellings of the protagonists talks about the state of living-standards in Indian metros.

For a good professional review, I would recommend the below link:

http://entertainment.in.msn.com/bollywood/reviews/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5252646

I would call it *A Great Indian Kitsch - Part2, Part 1 being Peepli Live* and would love to have more of such dark-homoured cinema. As a film that entertains, I would recommend it to all adults and it's not to be missed!

Aravali Hills Nature walk...

Rainy Sunday morning forced me to get out of bed a little early and drive towards the Aravali hills.. to heard the birds chirping, peacocks shouting..

Sharp Shooting Granny

This is one Women's day story that I loved reading.

Can India do it the Hong Kong way?

There was much worse corruption in Hong Kong in 1970s. Lakhs of people came on the streets.The government had to set up an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which was given complete powers. In the first instance, ICAC sacked 119 out of 180 police officers. This sent a strong message to the bureaucracy that corruption would not be tolerated. Today, Hong Kong has one of the most honest governance machinery. Can India do this?

The countries from Asia which are faring well on Transparency/Low-Corruption ratings Singapore & Hongkong, both have Laws which were passed under the British Rule:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrupt_Practices_Investigation_Bureau

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (Abbreviation: CPIB; Chinese: 贪污调查局; Malay: Biro Siasatan Pencegahan Rasuah) is a government agency in Singapore which investigates and prosecutes corruption in the public and private sectors. It was established by the British colonial government in 1952.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_Commission_Against_Corruption_(Hong_Kong)

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC; Chinese: 廉政公署; and 總督特派廉政專員公署 before 1997) of Hong Kong was established by Governor Murray MacLehose on 15 February 1974, when Hong Kong was under British rule. Its main aim was to clean up endemic corruption in the many departments of the Hong Kong Government through law enforcement, prevention and community education.

Transparency (Low-Corruption) Rating:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corruption_Perceptions_Index

They miss this freedom that's why they 'Love' this country?

Here's one reason why Many living away from this 'Banana Democracy' still 'LOVE' it. The amount of freedom that you enjoy even after committing horrific of the crimes can not be enjoyed anywhere else in the world.

Anyone interested in holding a 'Candle Light' march to get this girl punished?

Here's a link to the Story: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HC/2010/08/19/ArticleHtmls/Hit-and-run-Girl-surrenders-19082010161005.shtml?Mode=1

The Cook

This brave teacher from Lucknow had to quit her Teaching job to go for a Reality-Cookery Show.

In her own words,“I’d been teaching school children for 16 years. When it came to taking part in the show, my principal asked me to choose between my job and the show. I took the risk and quit my job. Now I have no regrets.”

The newly-crowned Master Chef has not yet decided on what she wants to do with the prize money, but says, “I am just feeling happy looking at my bank balance!”

She's one Real Achiever amongst many women.

Yamla Pagla Deewana!! Sarcastic takes on Punjabi NRI Fad & Rural Punjab

I had never thought I would watch this flick which sounded so crass from it's name itself. Though I have always been a fan of Dharam Ji & Sunny, I have given a skip to many of their bollywood massalas.

Surprisingly I am writing something about it. Well, I found it ridiculous overall but intelligently sarcastic in many places.

The sarcasm starts with the very beginning, you see an NRI Sikh who is apparently a lot religious as compared with the crook father & brother who are living in India. A paradox so correctly portrayed, though many may just miss it in the overall madness of this stupid comedy.

The political scene depicted in the film clearly shows that the scriptwriter understands Punjab really well, the core of Punjab to date remains illiterate and dominated by money-rich, power-hungry politicians who have no idea how a modern state needs to be given shape.

Certain characters like 'Bholi' represent the average Punjabi girl who is dreaming of marrying an NRI ever since she's been born.

The end is a Rip off from the Classic 'Andaz Apna Apna' with a Punjabi Bend. Overall a fair one time watch if you ignore the tiring length and a few boring scenes in between the Hilarious jokes & sarcastic takes.

After watching the film I did feel like having a conversation with the scriptwriter & finding out if the sarcasm that I felt was intended indeed?

Association For Democratic Reforms: Choose your leaders carefully

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) was established in August 1999 by a group of Professors from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.

It started working on building fair and transparent electoral and political processes in the country by filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in August 1999 in the Delhi High Court asking for mandatory disclosure of criminal, financial and educational background of candidates contesting elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures, prior to the polls.

To know more about ADR visit their website: http://adrindia.org/

Their website www.myneta.info provides the details of all candidates filing nominations for elections in any state in India.

Next time you Vote, do this with Full Knowledge.

The Garbage Tourism?..

Well, I just can not help avoid writing something about this. It's so Ironical that Most Indian Cities that are favorite Tourist Hangouts - are the Dirtiest! Be it Jaipur, Varanasi or even Delhi..

And, it makes me believe the Govt. (or say the Municipal Corporations of different Indian Cities) are deliberately keeping the cities 'Dirty'.. Probably they believe Most Tourists come to see this only. Well, if you Morons keep the cities clean they will click pictures of Forts & Monuments only and not the Garbage, Donkeys & Cows on the roads!..

I simply can not believe that the Garbage that I see the Municipal corporations of these cities don't see it! Are they blind? Are they so short of money that they can not have 'Dust Bins' placed at all those locations where in Garbage keeps collecting every day? Well, I do not think they are short of money - if they were, they would not be installing Grills on the roads & replacing them every now and then without any reason. Well the only reason could be that - they have their cut on every such contract.

So it all leaves me with the conclusion that - Indian Govt. believes that - Garbage, donkeys, Pigs & cows on the roads' is what attracts they Foreign Tourists. So they do their best to not clean it!

Ironical

This one little incident, like many other little ones got me thinking as well. Life is so much about perceptions than anything else - and if you can fight your adverse perceptions and manage to dream beautifully life can be an amazing journey.

Here's the little funny incident that got my imagination running:

The best looking couple at the Dulles airport(Washington DC).. were Brother & Sister! and that gorgeous blond was not American.. she was an Israeli.. and of all the things in the world, she liked 'Baingan ka bharta' (mashed roasted eggplant!?).

She possessed good sense of humor was evident when she talked, as the fact that she was extremely sensitive - and that was something so much against my perception. And before I had talked to her, I was pretty sure she would be anything but what she turned out to be. She was able to mold a conversation in to something funny and interesting which otherwise would have ended up in to being something racial. She was able to take the conversation to a point wherein everyone around forgot the fear of the shaky-flight and actually got interested in to what we were talking. It helped everyone (and my new Friend - Gaurav, probably benefited the most) since that weather-marred flight in that kite like little aircraft was turning out to be the nightmare of my life.

You know, you are bound to imagine things when a gorgeous looking blond - instead of looking in to the eyes of hunk sitting next to him - is looking all scattered. But well, if you can perceive better things if only you give yourself a chance. I so wanted to talk to this girl, and when we finally broke in to a conversation - all I was thinking was, this girl is a hell of a woman. A keen listener and she sounded like appreciative of most things around. She was not just a Blond!

And, I must thank Gaurav for initiating that conversation - out of his shaky-flight-phobiac uttering!

Jaipur, How to go about site seeing.. (My Expert Advice)

My foremost advice is not to get in to the Auto-Rickshaw-Site seeing Trap! Just avoid it. My second advice is that if you are an Avid photographer, spend at least 2-3 days there. The three forts Amer, Jaigarh & Nahargarh are worth a day and half between them. As a photographer do not hush your journey upwards towards the top of the hill and do not be eager to see the palace. Instead, walk slowly and explore the view and enjoy it.

To explore the City, you must walk around - and to do that you should map out your walking path. If you go by car, I would suggest parking your car near the Albert Hall museum and walk towards the Pink City. If you are going to use public transport, get an Auto from outside your hotel and ask him to drop you at Albert hall museum. Do not listen to Autowala if they ask you to visit any handloom/handicraft shops, if you do that you will be wasting your precious time. You can buy that stuff from anywhere in Jaipur anyways.

Once at the Albert hall museum, you may want to check the stuff in museum if you are a first-time. I don't find it exciting anymore. I would rather start my walk towards the Pink City, City Palace & Hawa Mahal etc. straight away.

Gurgaon - the Migrant town & My other theories

Gurgaon is a Mess today, and that might just be an understatement. The Government dis-owned it for over a decade, handed it over to the private builders. And what the greedy private builders have done to the city is no breaking-news. Adding more misery to this, are the hordes of Migrants from other cities - who show no ownership towards this place, no sense of attachment. I am one of them, lived most part of my life in better organized Faridabad. However, I have learnt to be faithful to even the places that I visit and therefore I am a lot more faithful to this city though I have lived the shortest part of my life here.

Over the last Decade and a half, most of the residential and commercial spaces have been developed by the private builders. But have they done any better than the HUDA? The answer is a clear NO! In fact because of their profiteering motives, they have ended up cramping the living spaces. The city meant for not more than 5 Lakh population, is now shelter to almost 25 Lakhs and still growing.

What adds more misery to the already pathetic situation is the fact that more than half of the population is Migrant and comes from various cities of Punjab, UP, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, other states and Delhi. Since this population does not belong to Gurgaon and Gurgaon is just a short term plan in their life-span, they hardly bother to raise issues. Once this large chunk of population starts showing ownership to this city, they will probably start looking at things other than the Malls and Pubs.

The mess of Gurgaon is a collaborative achievment, a great private-public effort! The private builders ensured that they carve out maximum possible 'Inventory' out of the available land and leave no open green spaces to let the inhabitants breathe fresh air. The public departments, so far governed by the people with rural mindsets and regressive mindset - ensured that they take not notice of the haphazard development. Happy that the private-babus were gifting them their share of the booty, they did not notice that the entire town was being developed without approved building plans and without sewerage lines.

Off late, the mess has finally forced the hitherto happy-go-lucky Mall-mongers to think what actually they have got themselves into. Yes, so far it's a mess.

To be contd.

Social Networking

A facebook page for Gurgaon Traffic police, Delhi Traffic Police and Municipal Corporation of Delhi too has now joined in. I have never seen a better phase or face of social networking.

Everyday Tens of users are posting pictures of vehicles violating traffic norms and the administrators of the fb page (officers of Delhi Traffic Police) diligently look in to these photographic complaints and penalize the erring culprits.

Following a cue from Delhi Traffic Police, Gurgaon Traffic Police too has come up with a facebook page that is being used to prosecute the erring drivers on the Gurgaon roads. A young man laced with a diploma in cyber crime is managing the show. The page is really helpful and has lot of information about the traffic rules and the changes required to make the traffic smoother.

MCD - Municipal corporation of Delhi is the latest to join this bandwagon and people are pouring in with their suggestions.

I have always been a believer of the thought that 'Talking' is the only way you can end of 'doing' things. Once you talk about problems you can expect solutions, when you never talk about a problem and start living with it - you can never ever have a solution.

I can see that a change is ushering in... 2011 can be the year of cyber-resurrection of the falling and failing systems.

Once Upon a Time.. In Mumbai

I was on a bollywood trip this month. Aisha, Peepli live, Lafangey Parindey, Once upon a time in Mumbai.. It was quite a bollywood feast. And the flick with Conscientious Criminal (Devgan), Steel Strong Cop (Hooda), Confused Youngster (Hashmi), witty dialogues and sensational background score.. wins hands down.

Yeah Once upon a time in Mumbai!!! was the entertainment of the month. With all the ingredients in the right quantity - The Criminals, Cops, Youth, Poverty, Slums, Bollywood Molls, Good Music, Witty dialogues and enthralling background score. Go for it..!!

The three actors playing the 3 protagonists fit so well in their characters, it's a sheer delight. I have never been so glued to a movie for a long time, and the thrilling background music surely helps.

The dialogues so witty, I have not heard anything like these in years. Be it Ajay Devgan, Imran Hashmi or Randeep Hooda - the three of them have got a good share of crisp dialogues and have delivered them well. In fact Randeep Hooda impressed for the first time... For record purposes, I remember Milan Luthra's first flick - Kachey Dhaagey, it was superb on the run film. He has not disappointed with this one.

However, seeing the character that Ajay Devgan plays in this film - I wonder if the Dons can be ethical, what stops the corporates from fulfilling their Social Responsibility?

CWG incites thoughts..

A random FB message regardign the CWG spend initiated this discussion on development..

Somebody Posted: "I will start forgery in my tax files onwards, if govt. will not stop spendin ma tax money in stupid games. Govt wasting nearly 60,000 Cr on CWG'10 in India where 42Cr ppls dont evng get two times bred butter properly .. What shame.."

Me - That's so right said friend.. but events like CWG also creates Job Opportunities and makes economy go round... BUT the PROBLEM is few corrupt contractors.. they need to be PUNISHED. You & I need not stop paying taxes... else this city becomes a bigger mess..

Me - You know what, a frail guy from Orissa who I had interviewed few months back.. had rattled me with his answer, when I had asked "what's wrong with your Govt.?".. He answered - it's not the Govt., it's us - the people of Orissa who are not m...oving towards the right direction of growth. So I would say, while people like you, I and few others .. talk about things that matter for development.. there are several thousands who don't even want to talk.. and There are very few who selflessly do..

The bottom line is - promote the right thoughts & slowly work in the right direction.. we might just achieve what we dream.. Promote, Promote, Promote.. the Right Thought. If we do that, the develoment Ideas will also start selling like Coca-Cola & the I-Phones..

Bottom line is.. our thoughts become our actions over a period of time. So, let's not stop thinking good and let's not stop talking good. As we do this & as we promote the ideas of growth and development - we will find buyers for the same and we will have many thinking and talking.. what needs to be.

On a Lighter Note - I think Aamir should donate all the Cost+ Collections to some cause... because nobody would have gone to cinemas for this movie if he had not produced it... but then I think he already had adopted a village during Lagan, so maybe it's time he buys a bunglow the size SRK has ;-) lol

Aisha.. Aka Emma!

Aisha is claimed by the film's producers to be inspired by the Jane Austen Classic Emma. Here's my little take on the film..

Ms. Kapoor (Sonam Kapoor - I struggled to recollect her name for hours & avoided going on goofle) excelled as a shallow delhite bimbo in Aisha. She was really good & played her character with seemingly a lot of conviction. And she was successful in making the character loveable and loathful at the same time. Abhay (Deol) played another lovable character in Aisha and adds another good performance to his already quite a remarkable list. When it's Abhay, you can trust the film to have a good script. Another plus for the movie is that most lead characters acted quite well. Overall, though the film was a good one time watch.. and quite enjoyable - the fallacy of the film is The Happy Ending & Trying find a match for all the key characters..!! In the end it all seemed like a FIXED MATCH.. and it looked like a typical bollywood. Infact the ending was quite artificial, while most of the film was relatively effervescent. Liked it but it did not turn out to be as effervescent as I had thought.

And the latest is that "...'Aisha' grosses Rs 260 mn over weekend":
http://entertainment.in.msn.com/bollywood/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4251160

Seabiscuit and the Discipline of the West/America..

This write up is all about - A dialogue from 'Seabiscuit' and my interpretation of the same & the ensuing dialogue between me & two of my friends.

Here's the Dialogue & my Interpretation:

"Red's Dad: There you go.
Red's Mom: You're not getting him a horse.
Red's Dad: Why not? He's great at it.
Mom: Because he's 16 years old.
Dad: So?
Mom: So... he should earn it."

I am not sure if this discipline is part of every family in America. But if it is, I would call it discipline only.. this is the discipline that makes Americans Independent.. I at no Cost would call it 'cold blood' like many do, because it's a part of Parenting wherein you are making your child understand the value of money & hardships in life.

And Americans, like many other developed nations exhibit this discipline in various walks of their life. That's why they are the 'Developed' nations.. they are disciplined enough to stick to the rules, goals and plans.

And below are the comments that followed:

Sheema K.H.: Americans are not cold ,they are very pragmatic in their approach to life. The most valuable lesson in a person's life can be that of financial independence.and they start teaching this very early to their children.

Bonny L.S.:Exactly.. I appreciate your apt understanding of their systems & values.. though these differ from person to person like anywhere else.. but basically they are more disciplined.. and imbibe the same in their off-springs.

Amit C.: I just know one thing....they show in the movies..what the society should be like.. ...not what it is. They long for those values which are certainly not there at present. If you see more of the American houses, they are junkyard for new ga...dgets and new machines..in retro! see the huge beeline for new gadgets ...they are not always earned by kids..but rather provided by parents.. America is not developed nation because they are disciplined ..but because they have to pay a high price if they are ill-disciplined. I am sure, if you have to pay that price you will 'whine and Rant" all Indians do.... And Talking about Financial Independence. 80% Americans live on Credits and that's what is important for agencies to be rating them..and that's how 'light-bridge" (Credit Monitoring Autonomous Agency) Guide their Credit Ratings..Americans doesn't teach financial independence to their kids.The US. National System takes care of it. I can only say that - Americans doesn't give values (Finance Independence)..to their kids..in those harsh conditions you have to earn it for your survival. The only last suggestion - "REMOVE COTTON BALLS FROM YOUR EYES".

Bonny L.S.: Well.. they say.. there are 3 sides to every story - your, mine & the Truth. While your opinion would hold good for few, mine holds good for few.. and it's up to us how we interpret our things. I agree partly with your opinion Amit.

Sheema K.H.: America's economic policies have been under a lot of flak especially after 2008 recession hit the market .U.S Government bails their companies and citizens out of debt and bankcruptcies becoz it CARES !!!
And i would still stick to the po...int that they teach their children economic independence ,very few r born with a silver spoon in their mouth in u.s.There are so many young successful entrepreneurs around here,making their mark becoz they were taught to take risks, be independent and create their own destiny.They dont grow up with a sense of entitlement like children in india do . And yes American society is a consumerist society but I think india is not that far behind in that area too.

The Change Maker - Aamir Khan, Peepli Live & More

Heard that Amol Palekar was upset with the kind of HYPE that Aamir Khan managed for his 'Peepli Live', I guess Amol needs to understand that if Aamir or he himself won't hype their good work.. then the 100 Crore Indians would only know about flicks like 'Om Shanti OM'. As a result of Amol Palekar not being able to generate enough hype for his good project, I don't even know it's name.

Wish people understand that this world is all about Marketing and the good products just like the bad ones need to be marketed. And if marketing can help generating curiosity and enthusiasm for a product - the real value of the product will help it carry on and sustain on its own.

While I say all that, I would also like to mention how greatly I respect Aamir Khan for being a Change Maker in Indian Cinema and thus the Indian Society too.

Aamir indeed is a 'Change Maker', from lambasting Media (Filmfare awards) for distributing 'Fixed' awards to Providing some of the Best Cinema to Indians so far.. he's on the Track and being LOVED by MEDIA as well.. Proves IF you are a MAN of your words, you will be respected by your detractors as well..

Peepli Live Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbHEH89zQCw&NR=1

Dispite his Sarcastic Take on Media, I am sure the Media is going to appreciate it. But they are selling on TV just what the Masses want probably...!!


Part2.
=======

Adding more after I have seen the film. One thing I would say at the outset is "Only Aamir could have done it".

There is nothing in the film that you don't know already. The contrast of 25% of Confused India Vs 75% of Poor India, In fact the developing India can be counted on fingers.. 4 Metros + 4 Other cities and rest is nowhere near developing.

The Stupid journos & TRP hungry TV Channels.. you know all that but what can you do about it? Stop Watching it!? Well, most people already don't. In fact I am back to newspapers ever since the 'Shouting Journalism' surfaced.

The END was probably 'the statement' - that the writer - wanted to make.. the Poor Farmer ends up as a Labour at one of construction sites.. where else.. but in Gurgaon!!!

The only thing new about Peepli Live is the Tremendous Publicity that Aamir has generated for such an offbeat stuff.. & it was a Courageous attempt by the stubborn actor who respects neither Indian Media nor their award functions but they still run
after him because He Sells.. and probably he touches their hearts.. and they actually want him to change the whole thing that they want to but can not!


I still remember when I went for first day first show of Lagaan about 10 years back.. the cinema was 75% empty.. and the collections picked up only by the coming week.. but then Aamir was not considered the 'genius' that he is now.. and Now he can have the audis full even for an offbeat flick like 'Peepli live' which he doesn't even act in and is only producing!!!.. Carry on the Change Maker.

On a lighter note - I think Aamir should donate all the Cost+ Collections to some 'cause' because nobody would have gone to cinemas for this movie if he had not produced it... but then I think he already had adopted a village during Lagan.. maybe it's time he buys a bunglow the size SRK has ;-) lol

Part 3
======
July 2011, Delhi Belly has hit the Indians. Some are loving it, some are loathing it. Some have been able to understand the camouflaged Dark-humour, some thought it was a stupd story of Smugglers & Young Boys.

I think it is a turn of the century Bold Bollywood Kitsch with dark-undertones that only somebody as intelligent & bold as Aamir Khan could make. Not everyone is going to like it, not everyone is going to understand it. There are going to be those simpletons who think things like these do not happen, or things like these should not be shown on screen for the sake for Morality. Well, guys you've been warned by the producer well in advance.

If Peepli Live was a Bold interpretation of the Rural Mess, Delhi Belly is a creative interpretation of the Urban Kitsch that many of the Indian Metros are with their confused Moral Ethos.