"Discovering Michael Jackson Beyond the Headlines"

Michael Jackson. The very name creates a sway in the arms, a rhythm in the feet, and an involuntary whirl of the waist. The only way someone may not know him is if they spent decades living in a cave or are from outer space. Yet, this post is not about his fame or his worth. The world already knows that. This post is about something far more personal - discovering Michael Jackson only now, after watching the film Michael.

Growing up in a small town during the 1990s, I never truly had the chance to understand Michael Jackson as a person or as an artist. I knew he was famous. I knew he was incredibly rich. I knew about Neverland. I knew about the allegations, the court cases, and the endless media noise surrounding his life. Beyond the fact that he is one of most known pop icons wrapped always in controversies, I knew nothing.

As a child, all I really heard were songs like Beat It and Dangerous playing somewhere in the background while someone attempted to dance to them. I never understood why he was called the King of Pop. Interestingly, it was Elizabeth Taylor who famously addressed him as the “King of Pop” during an award ceremony, but honestly, the title feels too small for the phenomenon he became. He felt more like the Emperor of pop culture itself.

What I did not know was how deeply his music touched people across generations and countries. I did not know about the meaningful revolutionary music videos, the breathtaking performances, the impossible dance moves, the obsessive hard work, or the artistry behind every movement he made or the creative process or an interesting story behind every song he created. They were not just a bunch of rhymes. I knew nothing about the genius that shaped modern entertainment.

It was only after watching Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson, that I truly began discovering him.

I went to the film alone, and something about that experience stayed with me. Since then, I have fallen into a complete Michael Jackson spiral. I started researching him endlessly, watching interviews, revisiting performances, listening to albums, and reading about his life. I even searched for various book, to order and read more, because I suddenly felt there was still so much left to know about this man who seemed almost other-worldly.

"First Book Announcement"

Announcing the publishing of my first ever book, Pen Sieve, a poetry collection. It may sound cliché but it truly feels like a second baby to me. It brings together thoughts, emotions and in between moments, holding reflections on growth, stillness, longing, love and the quiet process of becoming.

Born from everyday experiences and unspoken feelings, it offers a gentle pause in the chaos, an invitation to slow down, feel deeply and perhaps discover a part of yourself within these pages.

The book is listed on Amazon, Flipkart and NotionPress.

If even one line stays with you, it has done its job ✨

Please find the book -

On Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/01F0CdW6

On Notion-press : https://notionpress.com/in/read/pen-sieve?book=published&utm_source=share_publish_email&utm_medium=email

On Flipkart : https://dl.flipkart.com/s/iazR5yNNNN 

Please note that now the book is listed internationally too:

at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GXVHW8C5

And at https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GXVHW8C5

Ebook and Kindle distribution will soon follow in coming weeks🎉😊

My thanks to all who inspired me to write in my life and who pushed me to make this happen.💙🧿

April is Here

With every year, the noise grows dim,

the need to chase, to prove, to win.

The fights you held, the wars you knew,

lose their meaning, fade from view.

Peace steps in, a sense of new calm, so clear,

and suddenly it all feels hard earned and more sincere.

No longer loud, no need to race,

you learn to move at your own pace.

The chaos that once felt alive,

now drains the will you used to drive.

And in its place, a steady glow,

a quieter strength begins to grow.

Time once spent without a thought,

now feels too precious to be lost.

You see the miles you went in vain,

for empty hearts and fleeting gain.

Aging, a curse in quiet disguise,

you read the truth behind the lies.

Patterns reveal what words may hide,

you see through masks they try to slide.

Daughter's Wisdom Nuggets - 4

Somewhere between thinking about war, the economy, job uncertainty… and what to make for dinner, checking school diary notes, deciding between a pedicure or rosemary oil, and whether I really need that vase - my brain was running 47 tabs at once (yes, this is my normal state).

My daughter quietly observing me:

Her: What are you thinking, ma?

Me: Nothing… you won’t get it.

Her: Try me.

Me: Okay… about war, all the sadness around… and what could happen to my job this year.

Her (calmly): Ma, you know… yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.

Me: Okay okay, I know… I think I saw that in a Disney movie.

Her: Nooo ma! It’s from Kung Fu Panda. Master Oogway says it!

(Me in my head: mentally noting to ask Google/ChatGPT later who actually said it)

Me: Oh ya… I know that quote!

Her: Knowing and doing are different, ma. What’s the use of just knowing? You have to actually do it… cling to it.

Me… sipping water… slightly shocked… and slightly proud...And in that moment, I realised -

I might be the parent, but she is clearly the Master Oogway of this house 🐢✨

Fun fact : The quote is actually attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt but became famous after being used in the Kungfu Panda movie!

8 AM Metro - A Gentle Ride Through Unspoken Emotions

The moment I started watching this 2023 film, I was struck by a thought - how we seem to have a dearth of soft, warm, feel-good films today. Everything now leans towards overstimulation, violence, or excessive skin show.

The film’s premise is simple, yet deeply layered. It touches upon issues like anxiety, panic attacks, and depression with quiet sensitivity.

                            

Two strangers meet, greet, and feel an instant connection - not an entirely new premise for Bollywood. But here, that connection stems from their vulnerabilities, their incompleteness. Two poetic souls - Preetam and Iravati - find themselves drawn to each other.

Preetam, played by Gulshan Devaiah, is someone with a growing love for poetry and literature. Iravati, portrayed by Saiyami Kher, writes not just as a hobby, but as a way to release her thoughts and converse with herself. As a poet, I found her character deeply relatable. There is something profoundly comforting in watching her pick up her pen after a long, mundane day and simply pour her heart onto paper.

Preetam admires her - her poetry, her essence - while she begins to admire him, his life, and even his wife, Mrudula, who also writes poetry. Yet, as the film progresses, an underlying unease creeps in. Is there a hidden darkness behind Preetam’s effervescent smile? And is Iravati’s anxiety deeper than what meets the eye?

At times, the dialogues arrive unexpectedly - almost abruptly - without dramatic buildup. It feels more like a stage play unfolding in fragments. But perhaps that rawness works in the film’s favor.

One particular moment stayed with me - when Iravati questions why people wait until their deathbeds or moments of tragedy to express their feelings:

"लोग अपने जज़्बात कहने के लिए हमेशा किसी आखरी पल का इंतज़ार क्यों करते हैं?" [Why do people always wait until the last moment to express their feelings?]

One of many favorite conversations

Reflecting on her father’s death, she voices a thought many of us have quietly carried. A lifetime lived within society’s rigid frameworks, only to be flooded with regrets when time begins to slip away.

Preetam, an extreme introvert, struggles to open up. Iravati gently nudges him to speak to a stranger, just to overcome his fear - and they laugh about it. Through beautifully captured frames and poetic exchanges, the film flows like a calm river on a summer afternoon - until the floodgates open, revealing the silent battles both are fighting.

Their bond grows during brief metro rides - conversations, shared silences, random anecdotes. It becomes something profound, yet undefined. Not everything needs a label.

Another line that quietly lingers:

"हर इंसान के अंदर एक कहानी होती है, बस कोई सुनने वाला चाहिए।" [Every person has a story inside them; all they need is someone to listen.]

Watching them sipping filter coffee standing near Durgam cheruvu ( of Hyderabad) made me almost vicariously live the moment where I was also enjoying my coffee listening to two close friends. In a world where meaningful connections are rare, finding someone on the same wavelength feels like a blessing. And if we fail to hold on to such bonds, what remains are regrets - which many among us successfully have!

The film might feel triggering for those dealing with severe anxiety or depression, but it also serves as a gentle reminder - no matter how difficult a phase is, it will pass.

The reference to Franz Kafka’s doll story, symbolizing loss and healing, was a beautiful way to conclude this conversational narrative. It highlights how strangers sometimes become our comfort, even if briefly. And in today’s world of fleeting connections, dating apps, and emotional superficiality, such a story feels like a soothing balm.

Dhurandar: Why the Spectacle Didn’t Work for Me

I walked into Dhurandar genuinely curious, given the massive hype and near-universal praise. I walked out puzzled after an ordeal of 3 days - I watched 1 hr per day on OTT!

Despite its slick execution, catchy music, and reasonably effective albeit gory visuals, the film left me uneasy, not because of its violence or dark themes, but because of what those elements were ultimately used to convey.

The film leans heavily on loud nationalism, stylised brutality, and exaggerated bravado to project an image of a “New India” that is supposedly tougher and more decisive than before and prepared to wipe off terrorism and crimes from the face of India. Like seriously ?!!

Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of nuance. What could have been a layered spy thriller, often felt more like a glorified gang or mafia war wrapped in the language of patriotism.

Violence is provocative and almost nauseous. While cinema has every right to explore brutality, here it felt excessive and unnecessary. Certain scenes were so graphic that I found myself closing my eyes. They are tough to watch and added so little to the narrative.

Akshay Khanna’s performance deserves a mention. He brings restraint and some nuance to the role, aided by his accent and dialogue delivery, but the character never feels truly intimidating or powerful. Hence the hype for his role of Rehman Dakait - I didn't get it at all.

Considering his body of work - negative roles like Humraaz, intense performances in Drishyam, patriotic films such as Border, and softer roles in Taal and Dil Chahta Hai - this portrayal does not rank among his best. The character may appear dangerous on paper, but that impact doesn’t fully translate on screen.

What troubled me most was how the film quietly fuels hatred in the name of nationalism. It doesn’t rely on loud slogans, but it constantly pushes an Us versus Them narrative through its visuals and storytelling. The emotions are engineered to provoke rather than to reflect, and that subtle manipulation is where Dhurandar completely lost me.

Films like Roja (not a spy movie), Raazi, Mission Majnu, or even Kamal Haasan’s not so greatly made Vishwaroopam ( all espionage thrillers) manage to evoke patriotism without political chest-thumping. The love for the country in those movies feels organic and sincere. In contrast, Dhurandar often feels like a platform to glorify the present while discrediting the past, a framing that felt simplistic and immature.

No Uterus - No Opinion

One kid, two kids, three or four -

Why does society keep the score?

Zero kids? Instant concern,

Suddenly every aunt can discern!

An uncle leans in, clears his throat,

Audits my womb like a balance note.

Plan soon. “Time is ticking,” he declares,

Strange - I don't remember my life being listed in your cares?

Age added years, not common sense,

Wrinkles deep, but too much pretense and nonsense.

Advice flows, unsolicited, loud,

A public service, self-endowed.

One child? “Only one?” they sigh.

Two? “Better - but why not for more - you try?”

Three? “It’ll all work out somehow.”

Wonderful - so would you be parenting now?