And just like that - teeny to tweeny

Zaara: “Mamma, Ronaldo does like this… zuuuii!” [does a gesture]

Mamma: “How do you know? You don’t even watch football!"

Zaara: “Yeah, I know him. He came in a lesson. I watched him somewhere. He’s cool.” 😎

Five minutes later, Zaara starts dancing to Shakira’s “Dai Dai…”

Mamma: “Wait… how do you know THIS song, Zaara?”

Zaara: “Aaaah, Mamma! What is with your exclamation for EVERYTHING?! And you ask too many questions! We danced to it in dance class—me and my friends. Could you NOT ask so many questions, Ma?” 🙄

And that’s when it hit me…

My girl isn’t just teeny tiny anymore.

She is apparently FULL-BLOWN TWEENING now. 😶😑😂

Meanwhile, I’m still standing there wondering when exactly she acquired knowledge of Ronaldo, Shakira and the general workings of the universe without informing her mother. 🤦‍♀️😂

Mamma 24x7 does the surveillance.
Zaara 24x7 says :"Mamma, please mind your business.” 😭😂

Friday Redemption!

All these empty days, and nothing to stir the mind's creative juices.

All these stretched hours, and nothing to talk about except projects and status updates.

All these prolonged minutes, and nothing to watch except endless meetings and Netflix in bits and pieces.

All these serenading seconds, and nothing to hear except the ting-ding of Teams notifications.

But it's Friday - a day of relief, a day of redemption.

A day when I can finally shed the toxicity  

Step onto the rain-soaked streets of the city

An evening that feels like compensation for all the nonsense endured through team chats, endless emails, and all the loud and quiet political plays.

Outside, the rain slowly washes away the week's weariness as I witness the birth of the weekend and the burial of the weekdays.

For two precious days, life belongs to me again...

Sing Geetham – A Golden Musical That Restores Faith in Storytelling

Some films entertain. Some make you think. And once in a while, a film comes along that quietly touches your heart. Sing geetham is one such rare gem.

The biggest reason I walked into the theatre was, of course, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu himself. At the incredible age of 94, he continues to dream, create and surprise us. This is the filmmaker who gave us timeless classics like Aditya 369, one of India's earliest science-fiction films, the unforgettable silent masterpiece Pushpaka Vimanam, Bhairava Dweepam, Brundavanam, and several other unique Telugu and Kamal Haasan classics. His storytelling has always been refreshingly different.

The second reason was Ayaan. I had first seen him perform as the lead vocalist with Band Capricio a few years ago and was completely mesmerized by his singing. I was curious to see whether he could carry the same magic onto the screen and he absolutely did. His acting feels as effortless and sincere as his singing.

I walked into the theatre with very few expectations, but walked out with a heart full of admiration.

A Story Wrapped in Fantasy

The story is set in a mystical mining village called Kuberapuram with gold beneath its soil, and some unknown power leading to unexpected repercussions - that makes people mysteriously sing instead of speaking. It is whimsical, magical and unlike anything we usually saw in Telugu cinema. I will try to express my love towards the movie without revealing any spoilers...

Like any other human on this earth, every one in that village has their ulterior motives to earn riches by hook or by crook, except some pure souls like Gauri - who is fighting for well being of the village and for the one single tree that is like mother figure to her... Pratap Mannem ( Ayaan ) enters the village and what happens between him , Renu, Renu's father and the business deal that leads to all the whimsical happenings... What has happened in the past that may have cast an unwanted and unwarranted curse on the village? What is the solution and how can one stop it - all these be better watched on large screens!

As the film unfolded, its message gradually found its way into my heart. By the time it ended, I realized I wasn't just watching a fantasy but was reflecting on our own world and the values we often overlook. Here are a few things I truly loved about the film, along with some of the key takeaways that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.

What Stayed With Me...

• A meaningful message hidden beneath a fantasy

Beyond gold and greed, the film beautifully touches upon caste discrimination, social inequality, exploitation of nature, and how wealth often widens the gap between the rich and the poor. These themes are never preachy - they emerge naturally through the narrative.

• Refreshingly natural characters

One of my favourite aspects was how authentically everyone looked. Especially the women, who appeared with little or no makeup, allowing their emotions to shine through naturally. It was beautiful to watch characters who felt so real, as real as the mother nature...

• Music that becomes the language of the film 

Creating a musical where conversations seamlessly become songs is no easy feat. Huge credit to Singeetam garu for writing and directing such a challenging concept. Every song moves the story forward.

My personal favourite is the beautiful sequence between Gauri and Pratap - "Ee Kotha Feeling Ne Emantaro." It carries an innocence that reminds me of melodies from another era.

• Children give the film its soul

The presence of children in the movie added an emotional heart beat to it. Children who are pure souls may also get misdirected - well not revealing any spoilers but watch the tale to know more

• A refreshing break from formula cinema

 During the time of massive 100 crore movie budgets, commercial formulas and big pan India banners with a forced glamour of a vulgar item song infused in it,  this movie feels like a respite from all that . It reminds us that good storytelling never goes out of style

• A film that restored my faith in Telugu cinema

 It is not an exaggeration if I say that Sing geetham revived the hope in me , that good stories and enjoyable experiences can be brought back to Tollywood. As a person who was not watching Telugu movies much, this movie restored my faith and redeemed tollywood for me!

• Like Stepping in to a Chandamama Storybook

The entire film feels like reading one of those magical children's fables we grew up with. At times, it even reminded me of the timeless tale of King Midas - but with its own unique soul.

A Truly Golden Ending

The ending literally felt "Golden" and the final song and the concluding moments gave me goosebumps. To know more you surely must watch and know for yourself. What made the experience even more special was watching it with my daughter. She was deeply moved by the ending, and was almost in tears. Throughout the film, we found ourselves humming the songs - even during the interval, and continued talking about them long after we left the theatre.

That's perhaps the biggest compliment I can give to the film.

It gently reminds both children and adults to value kindness, humanity, nature and Mother Earth...

Back to School

The alarm screamed at dawn, not a sound, but an explosion -

the official announcement that summer had ended.

Day One.

In a single night, we transform from sleepy sloths to hurried roosters, racing against the school-O-clock that shows no mercy.

Two hands, I realize, are never enough for school mornings.

Lunch boxes. Water bottles. Uniforms. Shoes. Last-minute searches for things that were exactly where they were left.

For weeks, we waited for this day.

Counted down to it.

Dreamed of routines returning, of sending our tiny tots back to their second home.

And yet...

The moment she walks out, the house exhales into an unsettling silence.

The cooker still hisses. The washing machine still whirs. A bike still honks in the lane. The maid still chats loudly on her phone.

But somehow, everything sounds muted.

As though the house itself is missing its favorite noise.

Even the colors seem quieter.

Bright pinks become pale pinks. Sunshine yellows soften into mellow hues.

The loud shrieks of excitement that filled every corner give way to polite greetings, office calls, and routine conversations.

Yes, I finally get my rest.

My long-awaited "me time."

Her routine is back on track.

Mine too.

But this silly heart -

why does it ache for the very chaos it was longing to escape?

Why does it miss the sunny smiles, the reasonless hugs, the sloppy kisses,

and those tiny interruptions that barged into my serious adult world without apology?

Back to school.

Back to office.

And yet, year after year, as she grows inch by inch,

my yearning grows too -

for more time, more interruptions, more mess, more sloppiness,

and perhaps,

just a few more hugs...

Maa Behen - When women are simply Fed up...

There was a time when women-centric films, or films satirizing patriarchy, were made with a clear intent: to hold up a mirror to society and gently nudge us toward introspection. They served as wake-up calls - not just for men, but also for the women who had unknowingly internalized and perpetuated the same patriarchal norms. The hope was that we might emerge with our perspectives shifted, even if only slightly??

Maa Behan - the title indicates a playful twist on a blanket term for a variety of vulgar , offensive words that are abusively and insultingly used at some one....also in movie indicates Rekha, Jaya and sushma - the ma and two behens...I appreciate the writers' quirkiness and sense of humor here....yes there is one more surprise element in the opposite house, whose name revealed in the end as a sum total reminds us of our childhood washing powder ad :) The writers deserve applause for the wit embedded not only in the title but throughout the film.

All the roles are so well moulded. Ravi Kishan as Gupta and Geetanjali Kulkarni as Mrs Guptaji, Goldie, Inspector Maheshwari, Tripti as Jaya, Madhuri as Rekha the mother, Dharna as Sushma and all other supporting characters.

The hilarious take on our day to day happenings and hypocrisies is shown in a quirky - cannot be ignored manner - like how we always poke our nose in to other people's matters albeit our life's mess and how we quickly become character assassinators of a woman based on her sleeveless blouse , color of lipstick or loud makeup - would we ever change? 

The movie goes to tell - we may never - yes - we just have to accept it!

Quick look at a few details ( NO SPOILERS) :

Madhuri as a young married woman enters the "adarsh" colony and creates waves with her beauty, confidence, or fashion choices. The backdrop of the famous crime program khalbali to navigate through the lives of all three women just strengthened the satire much more.... Again applause to whoever chose all the names here....:) As always a hot happening confident woman being subjected to society scanner is so so profoundly shown. I LOVED IT.

As the movie progresses, the family drama and all dark secrets crawl out of the cup board one by one - along with that ,the cobwebs of the ancient patriarchy are also exposed.

In an innovative way they are tackled...and rather than dusting or dismantling them, how women in long run have learnt to not give two fucks about them - is I suppose the moral of the movie? Even there is a metaphorical dialogue in movie where I believe jaya or sushma look at a room and wonder , " I don't know why she has just left this room as it is since then ! Sigh!" 

I am not revealing any spoilers here...the movie even if a little rough around the edges deserves your time....

The scenes that stand out for me are:

• Scene 1: Madhuri's final narration even after repeatedly saying what happened when Gupta ji came to her house "us raat ( that night)" - as none believes - not even her daughters - possibly coz of her sexual appeal and her general aura and just because she drinks or unapologetically shows her desires - her character is doubted - sometimes may be even by the women just around her? So the breakthrough scene to me is when Rekha in all her glory in a green satin nighty just EXPLODES explaining what happened holding Guptaji's hands and walking through the house explaining step by step just before the climax....Made me let a deep sigh and rageful :( at the numbness and dumbness of the society. Would it ever change??? 

• Scene number 2 - Jaya chasing her husband out of her maternal home. The dialogues exchange - the expression, the angst , the pain - it's better to be watched rather than explained here.

• Scene number 3: the surprise package of the movie , the last scene - after all who is the one who asked ransom??? :) and all other subtle shades of Dharna/ Sushma - such a promising influencer turned actress! 

Dear women, Go watch this dark comedy thriller just to know that it's never too late to break free and laugh at the absurdities of society and live at your will and pls stop belittling your own clan.

 Dear men - Women are tired and deeply FEDUP - that's all - that is the message to u :)

"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 books about him, 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?

Homebound: A Story that unravels the labels we never chose!

So I watched the movie Homebound and it made me think, more than I actually want to. Neeraj Ghaywan the maker of Masaan did a fantastic job in making this well balanced tale of friendship, religion or caste, class discriminations, poverty, unemployment struggles, and crushed dreams. It is tender and soul crushing - the film received huge praises and was selected for Oscar entry from India which feels absolutely justified! The film holds mirror to multiple aspects of a downtrodden life - which often are unseen or just casually dismissed by a much blessed crowd.

There isn’t much I can add about the movie that hasn’t already been said, but what it reflected back at me were echoes of my own past and present. I am a Muslim and my label is reminded to me time and again sometimes without any rhyme or reason. It's not an exaggeration if I say - that for atleast 30-40% of public around me, we are still aliens with ancestry else where ( Turkey , Arab, etc) and they feel that we enjoy the luxuries here, where as our roots are not from here. People point to 1000 - 1500 year old invaders from Moghul dynasties etc and it's hilarious that some hold the grudge even now. Sometimes I jokingly say , in the tangled historical tree - I may very well be having a Brahmin great grand father or a Christian Uncle. Who knows how mixed our genetics are by now? But some people love tracing back the ancestry and stamping some unnecessary labels. The funniest and most outrageous is the Pakistani label. It boils my blood when friends and foes alike jokingly say that I am From Pakistan or if I know any from there....or question me why there is much Islamic terrorism - as if I hold the answers?

I wanna scream and say "Bro I know as much as you know...and I am an Indian national damnit!" But over the time it became so casual and so continuous that may be I learned to push it away or just swallow it. I will share some real life incidents which happened amongst groups of very well educated, broad minded and scholastic individuals !

source : here

Lumbini park terror attack incident in August 2007

On a fateful evening of 2007 ( I newly joined job then) , a dual attack happened in Hyd. 100s of people died in the bomb blasts happened at the historic famous Gokul chat and Lumbini park. I myself was shopping in an area called Koti, where the famous Gokul chat is - while that blast happened. Seeing sudden mayhem, we didnt understand. Our stars aligned that day and we were not near the Gokul chat and were almost returning home, when that terror attack happened.

Following that, may be its first time in my life after 9/11 - may be as it is home ground and my city - that I heard many many talks in office, in bus stops, at the water cooler, during lunch hours etc. etc. - that how Muslims are becoming a threat with each day and that you can trust none! And one random Friday when I was in my cubicle, couple of people passing by me - one among them being someone who strongly loathes Muslims started saying, "What is this yaar, every Friday we have to be scared of a terror attack. These people plan attacks on their holy days!" Needless to say it broke my heart, just like how Shoaib's heart breaks during a dinner party  - when the bully asks him if he can check the authenticity of a Lahore's cuisine - a kebab (Lahore is place in Pakistan). Shoaib ( Ishaan Khatter) would be resisting his anger ( and he gets harassed multiple times even before that - sometimes purposely , at times in the disguise of fun), but his limits get pushed by the bully when he also hints that Shoaib is sad as Pakistan lost the match! That's when he finally snaps. I can't really tell how many times I was in Shoaib's shoes in multiple scenarios. 

I lost count of how many times, I may have ignored the taunts or casual jokes - like once some one seemingly a friend asked me - "Afshan - do u know any hiding in Charminar or Tolichowki ( hyd area) who prepares bombs - may be we can place it under managers car. hahahaha", and everyone guffawed. I was young and I managed an awkward chuckle as I was not sure how to retort. I think the problem arises, when rest all chime in or stay indifferent! When you don't show solidarity and are apathetic to these things, you are part of the problem too - how much ever u deny it! If some one is painting extremists and normal folks with same brush, I strongly believe it is our duty to call out - to talk, to discuss or just explain the after effects in all its rawness like how Neeraj did in the movie!

It's not an exaggeration if I say that due to my label, I was not preferred in certain interview of a famous company...It is also not an exaggeration If I say that I had to restrict or block many people specially in the past decade due to their religious chauvinism and derogatory remarks on other's/my religion. I hate to be defined by any religion but for many extremists that's the primary recognition of a person. Wish they could watch a movie this beautiful where friendships blossom irrespective of the religion! 

There are innumerable happenings in my life where I lost people to this religious bigotry... Recent was during the Pahalgam terror attack , seeing some posts - I had to remove or restrict them...and seeing my strong questioning or arguments some removed or blocked me on social platforms :) 

Cut to 17 years later (2024) : My Daughter’s First Encounter

My daughter in her grade 1 - a mere 6-7 years old girl who is in school, where friends don't have any religion and wear the same uniform, gets inquired about her religion in the rest room during her recess period by a random girl (not using any names or giving away identities) 

Random girl : "What religion are you?"

Zaara: " I am a Muslim"

Random girl : "Oh! You should be in Pakistan I believe . Why are u here?"

Z: "What do u mean? I am an Indian"

RG :" No you Muslims should move to Pakistan." 

To this Zaara replied that she is from India and that it's not good to get questioned like that.

Just imagine a squishy soft brain of a child who has only started to learn spellings, has absorbed all this from somewhere . It could be parents, fellow friends , Neighbors or bus friends, but the girl quite unapologetically questioned my daughter this. Just imagine the foundation on which the girl is building her bonds in school? That's how segregation and categorization starts early on and people pick their sides...and million questions buzz even in a small child's brain!

Zaara came back home and seeing her many questions about Pakistan, I asked her why she is curious all of a sudden - then she told about this particular girl - how she asked such questions 2-3 times already. It took all my energy to explain to Zaara that Pakistan also has people like us...and that she is as much Indian as her friend. I highlighted the issue to class teacher and the girl who questioned Z was explained about right and wrong.

As it's a reasonably good school and has integrity in its core and has no religious aspects or preferences - my complaint worked. Now think about those many schools and the incidents which are coming in to light - where a clear discrimination is shown based on religion, where many mishaps are happening on and off. I don't want to share all the news items and make this a morbid post...but I am highlighting this to make people think and PLEAD them to not destroy unpolluted brains/ minds of your children. They are our only hope!

Daughter's Wisdom Nuggets - 3

Whatever we talk about often gets absorbed by our kids’ sponge-like brains. I’m most of times unknowingly chatting about weight, diet, exercise, or some neck or foot sprain and naturally, that’s what my daughter catches on to. She knows that’s one of my frequent topics.

Today morning, feeling a bit displeased with myself, I asked her,

“Zaara, do you think I’ve gained weight in the last couple of weeks?”

She gave me a slow scan tip to toe and went, “Hmmmm…”😅😂

With my best sad puppy face, I sighed, “Okay, okay! I know, I know! Holidays and all that festive eating didn’t help me.”

Without missing a beat, she said, “It’s okay, Ma. In science we learned about animal adaptations, right? This little bit of fat you gained is just like a polar bear’s blubber. Even I gained some!”

Amused and curious, I asked, “Really? What do you mean?”

She grinned, “It’s a protective layer of fat that  keeps you warm in the cold winter ❄️😂 and gives warmth to your young one - that’s me!” Then she wrapped me in a big bear hug 🥹💞

“Wow,” I laughed. “That’s an interesting perspective!”

She nodded confidently, “Ya, Ma! You do so much. By summer, like by March, you’ll be all nimble and sharp again, like a fox! Maybe an arctic fox!”

In total awe, I tried to give her a kiss, but she dodged my “kiss attack” and ran off as usual! 😄

Honestly, kids are the best critics and the most loving ones too. Their feedback may sound at times frank or funny, but it’s filled with warmth, honesty, and pure affection. I felt so loved in that moment and felt like the most beautiful woman in the world! ❤️

It’s the holiday season in India now starting with Dussehra, followed by Diwali 🪔 tomorrow, and soon the festive cheer of Christmas. With all these celebrations (and endless delicacies!), it’s hard not to indulge. 🙈💕

But as my daughter said - a little “blubber” is fine! With some hard work and self-care, we’ll all be nimble foxes again soon. 🦊

Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali and a joyful festive season! 🥳

May you receive all that’s best for you - health, happiness, and love. 💫

Daughter's Wisdom Nuggets - 2

An yet another dining table conversation...

Me in all my brooding avatar after discussing some events...

Me : "Zaara don't be so attached to teachers or fella classmates. Years change and your sections also change. You must go with the flow!"

Z : "But why should I not get attached. At times I may find a favorite person in the process, with whom I would love to talk more..."

Me little surprised: "Ya, you will find such, but is there any recent favorite person!"

Z: "Ya , my grade 3 teacher . I meet her in every snacks period!"

Me : Really?!

Z: Ya , I still meet her. We talk. One day she asked me , how's your grade 4 Zaara. I said , "Mam!Busy, suffocating mammm!"

Me: wow, then?!😅

Z: She laughed and said, tell me about it Zaara and we chatted away.

Me: So you guys talk like friends now then!?

Z: Ya. She is not my class teacher, so we talk more now.

Me: So you feel good then!?

Z: Not just good maa! It feels fresh, a new feeling....like how you finish a book and start a new one, or how you end a lesson and start a new lesson, I feel that refreshing!!!

I WAS MIND BLOWN AND COMPLETELY SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST! I didn't want to amend her thoughts or add my thoughts. I just let that be...

It feels like it is not me who is teaching, but my always talkative 🦜 kid is teaching me - more about relations, friends, or emotions !

Uhh! Freedom of Speech and Expression - what a beautiful freedom to have and exercise, isn't it?!! And a child reflects it every once in a while and makes us realise how to beautifully yet nonchalantly execute it!

Today is 78th Independence day for India ( India became independent on Aug 15th 1947, 🇮🇳) - Happy Independence day. A plea to all to have the sense and sensibilities to recognise and understand the differences between patriotism and hyper nationalism!⛓️‍💥

🕊️

Kollam - A hidden gem (Day 1)

Off we go - I thought finally and was super excited even for our super short trip to Kerala ( Gods Own country it is called in India due to its divine locations, general calmness and the beauty). Due to some repeated health issues and other obstacles our different kinds of trips planned to Thailand, then to Bali etc did not get implemented. Cancelling all the foreign trip plans - we rounded on somewhere near - udupi ( TamilNadu) or Kerala in June - even they all got postponed or cancelled and so on...

This summer threw me a curveball - some health issues turned chronic and demanded long treatment sessions. I ended up spending weeks indoors, barely touching my usual hobbies or even picking up the phone. Also I believe there is NONE to call to coz all are in their soup! I don't feel like calling friends when there is really no plan or nothing exciting happening. Just to mope, it doesn't feel right! Every one nowadays prefers to mope like a mop in a corner😜 Doing otherwise is a blasphemy for adulting :) and anyway so all plans kept getting cancelled!

So we finally planned a 3.5 days or I must say just 3 day trip to Kollam , Kerala via Trivandrum. As soon as we reached, huge waves of Arabian sea welcomed us just outside the airport premises (I thought it is Bay of Bengal and my daughter corrected me with a taunt that what did I even study in school? 😀). Our moods got lifted seeing the sea...and another highlight of the day is meeting an old friend, who became a good blogger friend during one of A to Z writing challenges - Shail Mohan, she and her husband suggested a restaurant and we all met for lunch there...Sea food eating folks ordered some prawns and all of us tasted some Kerala style chicken biryani. Even if I don't eat fish, the fish gravy tasted great and biryani is okayish for my palate.

I felt jubilant on meeting Shail and we recollected , relived all the moments from our last meet which was nearly a dozen years ago in Hyderabad! Phew. Time did fly. I felt like a baby then, now am meeting her with my baby ☘️♥️ . We all guffawed , talked and went click click click but we had to disperse sooner as we wanted to continue with our trip and do some boating the same day...

We reached the Fragrant nature resort around 2 PM and were welcomed with a sweetish tangy beetroot juice I guess. I didn't ask what it is but felt good on the taste buds. The drizzles also gave a lyrical welcome to us. The resort is located just on the shores of paravur lake. The resort itself is nearer to paravur beach and a local Elephant park! Quite a dreamy setting for a long weekend get away. As I started taking in my surroundings, the resort manager or whoever it was - greeted us and explained breathlessly what we can do, what we need not, weather updates, complimentary boat rides so on so forth! As we already had an early lunch, we had time to relax for a while before we go ahead with our Kayaking! 

Welcome 

Interiors at the resort

    

Window view

Daughter's Wisdom Nuggets - 1

My daughter utters so many wise words at the age of 7-8 , it almost feels like she is some 18+ and in all - sage avatar is preaching me. From today I am trying to be active on blog and would try capturing some of the random wisdom nuggets and wise-cracks, my daughter has up her sleeve :-)

------------------------------------Read on---------------------------

My wisdom tooth is a unique pain giving companion from more than a decade 🤕. A nerve exactly is passing in between the tooth  and to operate it's tough, if it's bone we can still surgically extract...if nerve little tough - at times u may lose sensation of the jaw, but mostly u won't - I was told .. I thought, feeling the pain is better than feeling nothing, so nearly from 12 years I suffer on and off immense pain episodes, sometimes I get fever and so on ....

Today some food got stuck in that tooth. I was cleaning and then pressing my jaw in pain, holding it...and so on, seeing my trials , 

my daughter : "what's wrong!"

I then explain about the wisdom tooth...

After five different Q and A on what it is, why it's extracted and so on ( and me googling most of it to explain to her😜)....then she goes on like this.

"Mamma I guess I know the reason why you are in so much pain!"

Me: why

Z: maybe it's not just nerve , maybe tone down your wisdom. You act too wise at times 🤔

Me: means?

Z: Become a bit dumb, then the tooth won't be used much ...Being dumb numbs the pain ma!🤣

Me again perplexed as am not sure if she is just speaking sillily or even if in the form of taunt at me, the sage avatar of hers made her utter the life's most profound and ugliest fact 💯🙂💥

8 Vasanthalu - Soul Stirrer on a rainy day!

I am happy to say on my blog that I am in the process of getting published, a collection of my poems. While aimlessly scrolling through my final manuscript on a dull rainy gloomy Sunday (as I didn't have much zeal to sit or look at it due to some events in my life),  I remembered this movie recommendation from my intermediate friend Poornima - who now is a Gastro surgeon in Hyderabad! What started as a casual time pass watch became a much needed brooding piece for me!

I finished watching it and I wondered why no one is talking about it! We’re quick to troll Tollywood for mindless content, but when rare gems like this quietly shine, they somehow go unnoticed, so I felt a need to write. Even I thought maybe it's originally a Tamil or Malayalam movie - that's how the brains got wired 😀 but felt happy to see that it's a true blue Telugu movie! 

What can I say about the movie? It felt like chicken soup for the soul. It’s been ages since something so pure, so soulful, and deeply rooted in emotion has graced our screens. It gave me the warm, nostalgic vibes of Geetanjali ( may be due to locations), Yevade Subramanyam, or even Aanand and Godavari (the classics by Sekhar Kammula) - those timeless, feel-good films from the late 90s and early 2000s that made you pause and feel. [Non telugu folks may not be aware of all this but read on :)]

The film explores many aspects like feminism, heartbreak, outdated societal norms, and above all, the strength of the human spirit. It’s a must-watch for women, especially!! The story follows Shuddhi Ayodhya, a passionate poet-author played gracefully by Ananthika Sanilkumar ( she played roles in some other telugu flicks), and her journey through love, self-discovery, and resilience.

Yes, the script does fumble at a couple of places, but it hardly matters - because what you walk away with is a deep sense of having felt something real. The dialogues are raw and powerful, and the connection between the two writer characters will especially resonate with anyone who writes or feels deeply!

Here’s a dialogue that stayed with me, when Shuddhi sees the Taj Mahal, she reflects :

“Magaadi premaku sakshyalu ga palarathi soudhyalu, bhagyanagaralu unnai. Aadadaniki emunnayi? Manasulone samadhi cheskunna gnapakalu tappa.”💔

(A man has grand symbols like the marbled Taj Mahal or cities like Bhagyanagar ( Hyderabad ) to prove his love. But what does a woman have? Just the memories she buries in her heart.) - translated for non telugu folks!

That line alone is worth the watch.

The writing feels like it comes from a place of lived emotion, of quiet pain and silent strength. Hats off to director-writer Phanindra Narsetty. He’s on my radar now - I truly hope he keeps making such honest cinema. He has given a new face to the female protagonist by not reducing her to an oomph exuding male magnet. Thanks for that🙏🙏

The poet in me now may be inactive, but this movie has definitely stirred the soul. 

PS: I also felt learning self defence could be really important for a girl, yes our protagonist is a black belter and that one fight sequence in the movie is just😲 fabulous, again laced with great dialogues!

Reflections💡and Life Lessons from the Movie (for all):

City of your Dreams!

And that is the magic of the city 

There is no time to laugh loud, cry ,or even show pity!

You see something or someone where you want to stop by

The turn on the road doesn't allow that, and the numerous fly overs would still not give you wings to fly! :-)

City of your dreams, your love, your childhood ambition!

Who knew, the same city would make you long for a magic potion!

A potion which could make you go back in time and live in slow motion

Alas! We are only muggles and we have more problems than solutions!

The city gave you wads of money, a luxury to live, a fire and a passion to strive for more

But the cost at which it comes - it almost squeezes your soul till you may not have much to pour!

The skyline is often invisible and the sun hides behind the tall towers and sky scrappers!

The rain is enjoyed more through a glass pane, there is no space to stand, watch, get drenched, or to float those boats made of papers!

The love, that ephemeral love - the city has to offer!

The romantic in you adjusted to those bread crumbs like a pauper!

The burst of lust in every nook and corner, love and emotions are a luxury,

A privilege only few can avail, the premium folks and not the ordinary!

The city though lacks the depth and cannot offer everything you desire

It gives you a life which once upon a time seemed distant and dire,

Now wrapped in few victory moments that quietly lift you higher,

Each sunrise gives a hope, each sunset whispers those unmet dreams, but still inspire!!

Re-releases And Girlfriends

After a series of much real posts on my blog, today I want to write a heart warming one - An event that took me down the memory lane , made me relive most precious years of childhood once again! India is cricket frenzy and a movie frenzy nation. I think these are the only elements which bridge the gaps and inequalities here...How much ever silly it may seem - I believe they have the ability to divert one from deaths, wars and make one's heart gooey and happy!

There is a trend of rereleases going on in India - one reason being that all the new content nowadays is on OTT ( streaming platforms) and also there is a dearth of non triggering simple happy content for a human to watch. At times we don't need real or relatable content...we just need a fantasy of 2-3 hrs to travel to a dreamy land and come back to face reality. The content made nowadays is great, with mind blowing effects, unbelievable sizes of heroines, transformations on screen, plethora of topics, too many new faces but that old school feel and happy emotions are almost always missing. Once ina blue moon there may be some flick or a series that feels like a slice of life, but most of the times there is nothing which makes you fall unconditionally in love with the characters, the charisma and all the grandeur!

The idea to go to a rerelease started when my close friend from school - Hema once pinged on Instagram saying there is a rerelease of a movie called Murari , that came out when we were in early teens! I doubtfully nodded yes as I was not sure if watching a rerelease is a smart idea. This happened almost an year back , and we both - she a mad Mahesh babu fan😌 and me thoroughly enjoyed the movie, humming to all those sweet songs, we sighed at the beauty of Sonali Bendre, innocence of babu , the purity of the movie overall and thoroughly enjoyed every moment - followed by a yummy lunch and we casually spoke that day, that this is definitely a stress buster - and such a unique memory revival and that we should do it if we get a chance again.

We departed and time flew. In between we did meet for a comedy gig or had some usual girl friend voice note exchanges but didn't get a chance to meet for a longer time again!

As if someone heard us, an announcement came in March or may be April that the movie Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka sundari is rereleasing. I was super excited as my childhood golden lady and someone who I always tried to follow suit is the leading lady in it - the forever gorgeous sridevi. I wrote about her at I always Want to be like Sridevi, if interested to read (Its my love letter to her) 💗! Her dressing, those sarees, that childlike smile, comic timing, those big almond eyes - are all to die for! The hotness factor and sex appeal need no mention!

We chit chatted and had no solid plan in mind because of our own hurdles, health issues and so on - nothing was sure.  One of my msgs to hema -"Woman! If you flop this day I won't talk to u!" -..and she replied, "It's Sridevi babe! I won't ditch!" With that excitement and enthusiasm we booked tickets on one Sunday ( May 11th) and tried including the whole class. Strangely none were motivated enough to join the party!

Couple more women had some or other hurdles but one other close Friend Prem was game for it🩷 and we trio booked the tickets on a Sunday 9 AM show😂 I mean I didn't even book such an early show for any releases on any day in all these years! But I was meeting my girlies ....and it was Sridevi Chiranjeevi starrer movie that basically could be the first fantasy movie we watched as toddlers and later as kids.....

The movie released in 1990 created quite a stir and there are stories of how a ticket worth 6/- was sold for 250-300/- in those days! Vyjayanthi movies - the banner under which the movie got released started their own marketing by releasing some merch , past anecdotes as stories on their insta, interviews of Chiranjeevi , Aswini dutt, filmmaker Raghavendra rao etc. Everything was interesting to watch except the only fact that Sridevi is no more - the actual star of the movie is her and it felt like the spark and joy of the film faded in her absence!

So Sunday came and lot of thrill and excitement in air as we woke up early in morning, that too by putting alarms in our phones, got dolled and dressed up mainly for our Sri and started on a mildly sunny morning , thankfully with very less or no traffic and eating nothing coz the thrill to meet each other filled our tummies probably😛. However I gulped a cup of black coffee to not look sleepy and started in a cab. We kept messaging each other and reached IMAX. Not sure if it was the high of meeting school girls after long or if it's Sridevi but I was surely light headed ;)

We started photo sessions and clicked to our hearts' content! The movie started with whistles and hoots as Chiranjeevi entered the screen with this fabulous intro song. As SPB's voice playfully filled the theatre, we were pushed in to the valley of nostalgia with in seconds and were surely not present in 2025. Body present, mind travelled to 3 decades back.

Chiru intro song

Both Hema and Prem joined school in high school years but I studied from Grade 2 to Xth in same school! I vividly remember how we were taken to a charity show to the same movie....almost, the whole school was in the movie hall and it was quite a fun filled day. May be I watched the movie only now again with the girls. The mere disappointment is that they didn't really work hard to clean up the film. The print is as bad as a You tube print ! if not for the protagonists' undeniable grace and charm - you won't be able to tolerate such a bad print on the large screen (even youtube print is better)!

We were utter disappointed and thought to even write a letter to Vyjayanthi movies as especially Indraja's ( Sridevi's ) entry was too bad. All frames seemed like in sepia color mode...all lovely costumes colors seemed hampered ;(...I mean this is not the way an iconic film is meant to be rereleased!!! I don't know where they spent those 8 crore rupees - As per their statement , it is the money spent on movie revival!

Celestial Sridevi (Indra's daughter Indraja) - her intro scene