Forever is True by Novoneel Chakraborty (Book Review- 4.25*/5) !!!

1615th BLOG POST -->>

The book “Forever is True” is the 2nd book in the two book series where the 1st book was named “Forever is Lie”.  “Forever is True” starts right from where the 1st book ended and kept us waiting to know what eventually happens in the end with the characters which are so miserably trapped in a web which they do not have any idea about. As always, Novoneel Chakraborty has used his typical style of writing where some strange activities keep happening with the protagonist and his closed ones and the reader is unable to comprehend what the real matter is. The good part about this series is that Novoneel has kept the character of culprit hidden throughout and once we get to know who he/she really is, we find it believable and still support him/her. 

To be precise, the climax is worth a wait for the reader who has to finish two books to get to know the real person behind all the killings on the birthday of Saveer Rathod right since he was in school. The narrative is very interesting which does not let you keep the book d own until you know the suspense. The built-up of the story and curiosity is very well done. Being the 2nd book, the challenge for the author was double to keep the book in sync with the first one and still deliver double of it. The author almost achieves this and which is what makes this series one of the recommended books by him. Novoneel knows how to write psychological thriller better than anyone else in India and this is what makes him still the favourite among so many peers and Indian authors. 

With this book, Novoneel has evolved better than all his previous books and comparing this work with the Stranger Trilogy, this one is far ahead than that. Talking about the drawbacks of this book, I would say that there should have been some parallel story showing the lifestyle and timelines of the culprit too to make the audience feel more excited about the villain of the story. This is a normal flow in Novoneel’s story that the main culprit is revealed only in the end so it becomes quite risky for him as a storyteller to assure that reader feels the same churn he expects them to have after knowing the killer. Rest, this book is a perfect page-turner and a wonderful thriller with a fine climax. I give this book 4.25* out of 5. 

Thanks.

Abhilash Ruhela 

Immortal India by Amish Tripathi (Book Review- 4*/5) !!!

1614th BLOG POST -->>

Taking just the name “Amish Tripathi” is itself self-explanatory and makes you appreciate the revolution and surprise that he brought in the Indian publishing market with his Shiva Trilogy which is still talked as if it got released last week. After publishing 5 fictional mythology books, Amish Tripathi has come out with his first non-fiction work named “Immortal India” which is a short read of less than 200 pages that can be read in a single sitting of less than 6 hours itself. I have been reading Amish Tripathi’s articles as published since his arrival in Indian book industry hence I know his non-fiction writing capabilities and the book wasn’t much a surprise to me. But for the folks who have read only his fiction books will enjoy reading this book by him and appreciate it as much as his fiction books.

Amish Tripathi has shared his newspaper articles, magazine pieces and several speeches that he delivered at best conclaves, debates and public appearances. The best part about all these articles is his straight-forwardness about the issues. Amish Tripathi does not shy away from speaking his mind irrespective of what religion he follows, which political party he endorses and whatever ideologies he believes in.

The book starts with the section- Religion & Mythology in which my favorite articles are about why the author adores Lord Shiva among all the Gods, The Purpose of God, Recasting mythology and the alternate ending of the Shiva trilogy. The next section is about the social issues our country is facing as of now where author has very rightly narrated about how LGBT issue is never said to be criminal in any of our scriptures. Another impactful chapter is about how religious conversion is negative and never churns anything productive out of it. Almost every chapter in this section is unbeatable and the choice of putting them in the book is commendable. The data shared regarding the difference between our country and others tell us about how great we really are and how wrongly we are projected in newspapers.

The section about history is something for which I would like to personally thank Amish Tripathi. He discusses those topics that people aren’t aware about even a bit. The best information for me has been the chapter State vs Centre where author discusses how the decentralized powers are better than a centralized arrangement. And the last section- Musings is the best closure to this non-fictional attempt which brings the readers closer to their favorite author. Overall, this is a wonderful attempt and I would wish to read many more non-fictional works from the author. Amish have stamped his mark even in this genre too. I give this book 4* out of 5. I am not giving it more because the articles are already on the public forum and hence something distinct was also expected from the book. Recommended!

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: Behen Hogi Teri: A Superb Plot Wasted! **

1613th BLOG POST -->>

“Behen Hogi Teri” is one movie that talked volume through its trailer itself. It had a very promising plot which raised much expectation from the audience in me. The movie starts off well but gets dwindled in the middle itself after the director has finished using all the dialogues and scenes based on the theme where all the girls of your society are termed as your sister from childhood itself. It is funny how the hero of the movie, Rajkummar Rao, is referred as brother of the heroine of the movie throughout and the face that he makes just after it makes you giggle each time. But the plot is stretched too far later on which starts irritating you after some time.

The first half is still delighting to watch whereas second half is about the goof-ups that happens as Gattu, the protagonist of the movie, spreads lies to save him from disaster of letting his and girl’s parents know about their love affair. The dialogues of the movies are brilliant for most of the times and make you relate with it as that is how almost every Indian society act. The movie could have been a laugh-riot but it is just a timepass movie which you can watch after finishing off your whole collection.

The songs are okay. Talking about the performances, Rajkummar Rao is the only player here whom you will remember after the movie rest everyone is forgettable. Shruti Hassan is such a miscast that even though I like her looks I didn’t want her to speak a single sentence as it ruined the essence of the movie each time. Rest all the performances are okay. I give this movie just 2 star out of 5 for being average and not playing to its fullest irrespective of touching a great plot which could have made this movie one of the most popular comedy movie of contemporary times.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: Baadshaho: Unimpressive & Disappointing! **½

1612th BLOG POST -->>

When you see a trailer of a movie like Baadshaho having so many names attached to it like Ajay Devgann, Emraan Hashmi, Ileana D’Cruz, Esha Gupta, Sanjay Mishra and Vidyut, you do not wait for reviews but want to experience it in theater. Above it, after you see the song promo of Rashq-e-Qamar, there is nothing for which you seek validation to watch this movie. You just go.  Watching Baadshaho on the big screen is the only ways to enjoy it if in any case you end up enjoying it otherwise never ever try watching it on television. Baadshaho is one of the movies which must have looked great on script but when it is converted into visuals, it ends up losing its sheen. Not every movie gets transformed as Baahubali or Dangal.

The initial parts of the movie are interesting where the characters are being introduced and story is revealed. But the moment all of them get introduced and their introductory dialogues get over; they are unable to produce the same magic in the plot again. Even Ajay Devgann couldn’t display his best and ends up being effective only in some scenes. Emraan Hashmi tries to deliver and he is satisfactory up to some level. Ileana D’Cruz is perfect and looks stunning on screen. You just want to keep watching her without even a blink. Vidyut is powerful in his role and does whatever he could have in his screen time. Sanjay Mishra has some of the best comedy dialogues and he is also okay in the movie. Esha Gupta is just there to fill up another female spot to maintain some equilibrium. Sunny Leone’s item song is forgettable.

The movie becomes boring once the truck comes in the hand of Ajay Devgann and Emraan Hashmi and you can predict each and every twist and turns right after the current scene itself and hence movie is not able to surprise you as it should have. The thriller didn’t shock the audience even for a single second which is why Baadshaho fails to achieve what it targeted. Some of the dialogues are great which is Milan Lutharia’s movies’ specialty. The songs aren’t catchy except the Rashq-e-Qamar. The climax is very badly executed which takes away whatever momentum the movie had. A movie with such high promises cannot afford such a climax execution. I give this movie just 2.5 stars out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA – VEERU!!! 

Review: Shubh Mangal Saavdhan: Topic handled sensibly! ***½

1611th BLOG POST -->>

When was the last time you heard a Bollywood movie being made about something related to sex and didn’t end up becoming a vulgar stuff or pure crass? Can’t remember, right? Well, I don’t remember a single movie except Vicky Donor where a subject has been treated with maturity and sense. After coming out of “Shubh Mangal Saavdhan” which is based upon the erectile dysfunction referred as gent’s problem in the movie, I felt so good about the way in which the movie has been made making you, as viewer, proud of the fact that such a subject has been treated so respectfully and sympathetically.

The movie starts with how the boy is behind this girl who finally agrees to marry him. The parents also get involved and the love marriage is turned into arranged very appropriately. Just before few days of marriage, the girl finds about the erectile dysfunction problem with the boy and becomes serious about the issue. She wants him to get it treated while he is also wanting to do the same but finds it challenging as he feels that girl is compromising at her end and the families aren’t supporting him the way he wished they would. This plot has been so convincingly dealt with that I felt after completing the movie that I could have watched it so easily with my parents. If that’s what the director and dialogue writers have been able to do, then the movie has won somewhere.

Another great part of the movie is the conversation between the mother and the daughter. The kind of frank conversations shown in the movie between both the characters tells us a lot about the modern India where such stuffs can be shared so friendly between parents and daughter/son. Seema Pahwa, in the role of the frank mother, has hit a century in this movie. SMS would have been incomplete without her for sure. The climax isn’t treated nicely which makes you feel dissatisfactory in the end. If only climax would have been closed down with the same effectiveness, this movie could have become an unforgettable movie of the contemporary cinema. Ayushmann Khurana has performed very well flawlessly. Bhumi Pednekar has acted in the same natural way as she does. All the other actors in the movie are terrific. Special mention to Brijendra Kala in the end! He is also hilarious in the movie. I give this movie 3.5 star out of 5. It is a laugh-riot.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: Babumoshai Bandookbaaz: A movie for Nawaz's fans! ***½

1610th BLOG POST -->>

Lately, I have started enjoying Nawazuddin Siddique’s acting more than before just for the reason that I know the time might change sooner and he would stop getting the kind of roles he is getting today. This is what he does the best- Killing people with humour and this is why I loved watching his latest presence on Box Office with Babumoshai Bandookbaaz. In this movie, he is the main hero and does everything to carry the movie well on his shoulders just like GOW Part 2. He manages to make us feel weird about him. He makes us feel unhygienic watching his lifestyle. He makes us laugh and giggle at his cheap, vulgar and indecent jokes and one-liner. He, in spite of being a wrong guy, makes us vouch for him and support him till the end. This is enough for me to enjoy a Nawazuddin’s movie.

The confidence that he delivers through his body language gives the script a boost and makes you follow the movie more passionately. The presence of another actor, Jatin, also boosts the level of the movie as he does a good work and as a character, gives Nawaz’s character more challenges. The movie is about how both of these guys get killing contracts almost for the same people and they end up playing a game of who will kill the 2 out of 3 before and make the other person leave the killing field forever. But the story takes a slight turn when the character of Bankey Bihari meets the girlfriend/wife of Babu Bihari and gets attracted towards her. The similar fire strikes at the other end too. Babu Bihari delivers greatly even in that particular scene itself when he tests the loyalty of both the characters.

The killing scenes are nicely shot and make you enjoy them. The one-liners and dialogues are amazing. The political background of the movie also makes the whole casting suitable for the movie. Though the movie lacks depth as it belongs in the genre in which we have already watched some amazing stuffs in last few years but still the suspense revelation in the end makes you leave theater with smiles. The background music of the movie is nicely synched with the scenes. The songs are amazing. Talking about the actresses, both of them have performed very well and shines irrespective of strong male actors opposite them. Overall, I would recommend this movie to every Nawaz’s fan. I give this movie 3.5 star out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: A Gentleman: Hit and Miss stuff! ***

1609th BLOG POST -->>

I prefer Varun Dhawan’s over-acting than Siddharth Malhotra’s under-acting any day. I have never understood how girls find Siddharth so handsome and deserving that they go and watch every movie of his. Anyways, I watched his latest flick, A Gentleman, which comes with a tagline “Sundar, Sushil aur Risky”. This movie is kind-of convincing and bearable as it tries to show the same Bollywood stuff in a different way. The fresh treatment to the old concept is what makes A Gentleman little different from the other movies based on the concept of double role.

There are two Siddharths in the movie in the respective characters of Gaurav and Rishi. One of them is nicely settled in a corporate job with al the checklists accomplished to be called a perfect husband material while the other one is a killer who works for a badman and never fails to kick the asses assigned to him as tasks. Haha! The final revelation of this double role is disclosed in the interval itself making the audience ask for more in the second half which makes the job of the directors, Raj and DK, more tougher which is the ultimate reason why this movie is not as best as it could have been. The first half is very nicely handled with the parallel scenes of both the characters shown. It also had songs, dance, romance, comedy etc. to make it a perfect entertainer.

But after the revelation of the secret in the midst of the movie, the second half is more about the same Bollywood stuff when it comes to action movies: cracking some big building with high level of security to get something that can change the course. The action scenes aren’t something to die for but they are still satisfactory. Talking about the performances, Siddharth Malhotra seems to have improved his acting skills. He is convincing in both the characters. Jacqueline Fernandez is nicely cast opposite him who makes the screen glitter with her presence. Suniel Shetty is doing what he did in Main Hoon Na with different accent here. Darshan is also nice as villain. Dialogues are okay. Overall, this is an okay film. I give it 3 stars out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: Trapped: Loved being trapped in this movie! ****

1608th BLOG POST -->>

I used to hear my parents talk about some old classic movies which are shot for the whole 2 hours and more within a closed room or traditional haveli. As my interest is not much in watching the old movies again, I got such an experience for the first time while watching Bheja Fry and it was such a laugh-riot. And today I experienced the same concept in a recently released “Trapped” starring Rajkummar Rao. I don’t think this movie is ever going to be forgotten by me. What an impact it has left behind! The Director, Vikramaditya Motwane, does a terrific job and leaves you thinking about what you would do in such a situation.

The simple plot and the limitations that it had never looks like a challenge for the film-makers as an audience as they have treated it so well for 100 minutes that you never feel bored or find anything repetitive. The angst and helplessness still a hope in the eyes and body language of the actor makes you vouch for him and you feel so much pained just looking at each frame that the movie becomes part of your soul after few minutes itself. The movie shows how a boy gets trapped in a flat at 35^th floor in a busy city like Mumbai yet there is no one to notice him for a week and how he keeps on putting efforts in every possible way to get out of the room.

The best part is that the filmmakers didn’t make anything look funny and illogical. Every attempt by the protagonist to break down the barriers and free himself looks genuine and you support him as if it’s some sports and your favorite team is in the finale. The movie makes you understand the value of everything that you have in life and small liberties that you have which you never realize or appreciate. The feeling throughout the movie and after the climax is why this movie is a modern-time classic. Rajkummar Rao makes his ordinary personality his power and plays this part so flawlessly that you can feel every emotion of his. This is one of the best performances in the recent times. The direction is the winner here. Treating such a subject so convincingly needs utmost talent. I give this movie 4 star out of 5. Recommended!

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Forever Is A Lie by Novoneel Chakraborty (Book Review- 3.5*/5) !!!

1607th BLOG POST -->>

Though Novoneel is one of my favorite Indian pulp-fiction writer, I, still, end up reading his books months after its release. This is the first time that it has happened that I have read the book in the same month of its publishing. I have just ended up reading another thriller by him named “Forever is a lie”. If any one of the Indian authors who has really enhanced his skills and showed vast improvement since his/her 1^st book, its none other than Novoneel. His books leave such an impact that even after you are done with it, you keep thinking about it. Same has been the case after reading FIAL. I am more impatient after reading it because the last three words of the book are “To be continued”. This is what I had not assumed that the book must be having a sequel otherwise I had waited for the whole part to release like I did at the time of Stranger trilogy.

Novoneel’s narration is perfect which makes the timeline understandable to the reader in spite of it being little messy in the beginning. The “Mean Monster” thing sounds quite cheesy and unrealistic but the way author handles it immediately before it pisses off the reader is great. The revelation of the real personality behind this name is what starts making this book magical. The chemistry between him and Prisha Srivastav, the protagonist of the book, is nicely portrayed in the movie and it all sounds genuine irrespective of the childishness of Prisha and maturity of the Mean Monster. The philosophical quotes shared in between of the story in voice of any of the characters are again why I love Novoneel’s books.

The suspense part that has still not revealed in this book is the only drawback of the book. A reader feels cheated when he is not told that the book is 1^st part of the many to come in future or the main revelation of this part of the story is also left for the 2^nd part of it. I felt the same in the climax when I didn’t get to know anything about a character that is kept hidden from the readers. Though I know that the 2^nd part will amaze me a lot, I had expected at least some conclusion with this book. Anyways, talking about the anti-climax and climax, it has been beautifully summed up with some fast-paced events which excite you. It is like an orgasm for the readers. Haha! I felt the first goose bump the moment a paragraph tells about something happening at Mean Monster’s home which is not done by him. That itself thrilled me. Rest of the book has just been plus after that. I give this book 3.5* out of 5 as of now because it didn’t deliver the conclusion. Looking out desperately for the 2^nd part of this book.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

7 Secrets of Vishnu by Devdutt Pattanaik (Book review- 4*/5) !!!

1606th BLOG POST -->>

Reading Devdutt Pattanaik’s books are such an eye-opener even for Hindus who believe that they know everything about their God and customs. I am just done reading the 2nd book of the Hindu Trinity Series which is named “7 Secrets of Vishnu”. The book is again written in the same format with each page consisting of a diagram/image and the opposite page consisting of texts related to the God in discussion. This book tries to decode the Lord Vishnu and the explanation behind many of his avatars and the thought process behind each of them. The importance of each of the avatars in the Hindu mythology has been discussed.

Devdutt Pattanaik has used a very simple language and assures that after the reader finishes the book, he remembers most of the articles and pieces discussed. After reading the book on Shiva, this book sounds more simplistic and easy to understand. The following entities associated with Vishnu are described in the following 7 chapters: Mohini’s Secret, Matsya’s Secret, Kurma’s Secret, Trivikrama’s Secret, Ram’s Secret, Krishna’s Secret and Kalki’s Secret. I, particularly, liked the last three chapters where Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Kalki are discussed in brief about what is their prominence in our modern society. 

Many incidents from Mahabharata have been discussed which clears lots of myth and lets us know about the small incidents that lead to the bigger events. The way author stays democratic in his views and discusses both the good and bad points about the Lord and his differences against Lord Shiva is worth-appreciating. This book is must for everyone who wants to know Lord Vishnu’s philosophies and the perspective of each of his avatars. I rate this book 4 star out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: Bareilly Ki Barfi: This should be surely tasted once! ***

1605th BLOG POST -->>

Bollywood has been making so many love stories but almost all the movies get bashed up by the viewers because everything they display is too rich, fake and hard to connect with. Out of the blues come this movie named “Bareilly Ki Barfi” which ultimately makes us meet with the characters who are exactly like us or the people we live around with. You connect with the movie from the very first scene itself. The movie is about how a girl reads a book and finds the protagonist of the book almost like her. She quests to meet the author of the book and thus contacts the printing press owner- Ayushmann Khurana. Though he has himself written the book, but he publishes the book with the name of Rajkumar Rao because of some reasons. Now, although he is in love with Kriti Sanon, he makes her meet Rajkumar Rao and tries everything to assure that she hates him in the 1^st look itself and then he conquers her heart.

The movie starts slowly but conquers you well just after 15 minutes of it. Kriti Sanon as Bitti makes you curious to watch what all she will do throughout the movie being enthusiastic being a small town girl. Ayushmann Khurana is as always funny and natural in his acting and does wonderfully well than his previous movies. The way he has managed to convey emotions through his face this time speaks a lot about his improvement as an actor. The magic of the movie is none other than Rajkumar Rao. His acting skills can be easily measured in both of his performances- as a shy and introvert boy and the fake aggressive one.

The story of the movie is very sweet and the simple narrative makes it touch your heart. The scenes of the small town makes you feel that the story is playing just in the backyard of your house. The punch lines and the funny scenes make this movie an entertainer for the audiences. There are many heart-warming scenes too. The love displayed in the movie is handled so beautifully that you start believing in love stories again after the damage that the movies like Raabta, Befikre etc has done. The songs in the movie are okay. My favorite is Nazm Nazm. The dialogues are wonderful. Overall, this movie is surely one-time watch if not twice. I give it 3 stars out of 5. A real love story after a long time!

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: Sarkar 3: Seems to be remake of Sarkar! ***

1604th BLOG POST -->>

I do not think anyone is a bigger fan of post-2000 Amitabh Bachchan than me. Since, he returned back in the industry with his white French beard, I have always looked forward to his films because of his Godly and divine presence in the movies. I remember when in 2005, Sarkar got released, I was in 10^th std. and I loved the character so much that every time a friend visited my home, I would ask them to see the movie with me because Amitabh Bachchan performed at his best in it. He was flawless, perfect, divine, and grand and in a role that best suited him. Even the rising of Abhishek Bachchan was nicely imbibed in the movie which made even his acting look good. I didn’t like Sarkar Raj as much as I liked Sarkar. And now after 12 years since the 1^st part of the series released, Sarkar 3 got released and how wonderful it is to watch Bachchan in the same avatar with which he marked his presence in 2005.

The story in S3 moves more internal than external just like the 1^st part where the two brothers are always at loggerheads against each other. Here, in this movie, takes entry the grandson of Sarkaar (the son of his eldest son, played by KK Menon in Sarkar). He loves and hates Sarkar equally but still wants to work with him as a team. He is quite aggressive and eyes to become the one after Sarkar. But the problem is that Sarkar already has a confidential and lieutenant in the form of Gokul (played by Ronit Roy) who seems to be the next after Sarkar to everyone. Here starts the ego clash between the grandson and Gokul which makes the life of Sarkar troublesome.

The first half of the movie is about showing Sarkar in his terrific form still after the death of both his sons. He is still the same aggressive old man irrespective of all the tragedies that he has in his heart. He does not shy away from saying “NO” on the face of the person who is complimenting him from the last 15 minutes. The movie is a thriller which opens all the facts in the end. The climax is not that much of a shocker but it isn’t fully predictable too. RGV should be applauded for bringing together such a cast which we do not see much nowadays in Bollywood. The first scene of Manoj Bajpayee is so magical that you can’t forget it even after finishing the movie. Jackie Shroff, Amit Sadh are just fine in their role. Ronit Roy has given one of his power-packed performances. Yami Gautam looks extremely beautiful and does okay with her role. Rest all the actors have contributed well.

The background music of Govinda-Govinda still makes you feel goose bumps. The camera angle still makes you feel scared of what the next step is all going to be about. The only problem is that the villains in this movie are more funny than evil which makes the task of Sarkar look very easy when compared to the first two parts. That’s the only reason why Sarkar 3 is not that effective irrespective of being what it should have been. RGV looks in his touch with this movie and you can expect his great return very soon. Overall, Sarkar 3 is a good one-time watch but does not have repeat value like the first one in the series. I give this movie 3 star out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Despite Stolen Dreams by Anita Krishan (Book Review- 4.5*/5) !!!

1603rd BLOG POST -->>

I am just done reading 48^th book of this year and what an incredible stuff this book is- “Despite Stolen Dreams”. The book is written by Anita Krishan and published by Fingerprint! publication. While reading the bio of the authoress, I got to know that she has already published two novels. After reading this one, I am sure to pick them very soon though I don’t believe that she can ever match the magic she has woven in the book. Whenever any story is based upon Kashmir or India-Pakistan border or terrorism, it gets boring after a while because of the depressive state of characters that is spoken right from the first page to the last. Even the climax is always sad and predictable which makes almost all the books based on this topic sound like one.

I had the same expectation from this book too after reading the synopsis but that’s what made me excited about the book when I completed the first 30% of it. The book talks less about the depressive stories of the characters who have been victim of brutality but talks more about how they have forgotten about the tragic circumstances of their life and moved on. The book tries to spread positivity and the author’s efforts are clearly visible in these sections. The initial pages of the book makes you chill reading about how a family is been held captive just because the team of terrorist want the daughter of the house to marry one of their members. The author’s hold on the language and narrative can be easily judged from these initial pages itself.

Later on, the chemistry between Wali and Kashmira Singh is the USP of this book for which I shall always remember it even after suffering memory loss. That’s the impact the conversation between these two characters do to you. Also the other characters discussed in their colony and how they help them speaks a lot about the author’s motive behind writing this novel. The social issues described through the stories of different characters are very nicely handled without being too preachy or cliché. The anti-climax of the book is another great part of the book where Shakeel’s story is narrated separately. It brings the much needed change in the plot of the story. Talking about the climax, I liked how with all the tense moments etc. the book ends on a happy note. Overall, this is a book that you will always want to keep in your shelf. I give the book 4.5 star out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

7 Secrets From Hindu Calendar Art by Devdutt Pattanaik (Book Review- 3.5*/5) !!!

1602nd BLOG POST -->>

We are lucky to have someone like Devdutt Pattanaik as one of the most popular authors in India who also manages to publish as many books as possible for him to do. This makes us read some very amazing facts about our mythology, religion and faith. I have just ended up reading one of his recently published books by Westland Publication named “7 Secrets From Hindu Calendar Art”. The book speaks about the images that we see since childhood in our home and others but never get to know the meaning and story behind these paintings. Pattanaik has tried to decode the meaning behind the images for the readers and believers of Hinduism.

This is one of the quick-read types of book by Devdutt Pattanaik which can be completed in a single sitting and is best when you are travelling. I completed this book in a day sitting in the Mumbai local while traveling for office. The book shares many images which I had seen in my home, temples and everywhere and also got to see the ones from different regions of India which I would have never been able to explore. The concepts behind the images let us know that even if the images portray God in different forms, ultimately, they are one and the same. Devdutt Pattanaik discusses this very intelligently and wisely about how a single God is been modified in different forms for different purposes and messages.

Devdutt also does not shy from telling the mistakes and confusion been created in few of the creative images but also tries to reason why it must have been portrayed in that form. The only problem with reading this book is that sometimes the image is not on the same page hence you have to turn the image every time to refer. The labeling over the image is also appropriately done. The book is nicely researched while some segments are mentioned just by the basic knowledge Pattanaik already had about mythology. The best part of the book is that the author does not try to insult any of the portrayals. This book is a one-time read for sure. I give it 3.5* out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

7 Secrets Of Shiva by Devdutt Pattanaik (Book Review- 3.75*/5) !!!

1601st BLOG POST -->>

Reading two books in queue from the Indian mythology master: Devdutt Pattanaik surely made an impact upon me. I am just done reading another book from the Hindu Trinity Series named “7 Secrets of Shiva”. Any book that is written with good research and experimentation surely spreads some great knowledge. Indian mythology always had lots of version which always made it very confusing for the devotees and readers. The good thing about this book is that author tries to explain us every theory behind the existence of Shiva and the thought process that Lord believes in.

Devdutt Pattanaik discusses about the seven different versions of Shiva and his participation in those respective avatars. The seven different aspects of Shiva that are discussed in the book are: Lingeshwara, Bhairava, Shankara, Bholenath, Ganesha, Murugan and Nataraja. It is astonishing to know about the differences in all the perspective of these aspects yet a common thread that binds all of them with the Lord Shiva. The visual representation on every page helps the reader understand the incidents and spirituality behind the scene clearly.

There are few logics which are not described nicely in the book because of which they bounce over the head. It is very difficult for a common man to understand what exactly author is trying to convey. Only if in those few narrations, author could have handled it in easy language the book would have become perfect. The way Shiva’s linga is described and briefed in first chapter is the best start to the book which describes Shiva in the best way possible. My favorite chapter is the one in which Bholenath and Ganesha are discussed. It is joyful reading about Shiva as Bholenath who is very innocent totally contradictory to his regular image. Rest of all the chapters is also okay. I give this book 3.75* out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

1600* BLOGS in 2939 Days with Lakhs of You!!!

1600th BLOG POST-->>

1600th BLOG POST

Today is my 2939^th Day of Blogging and I am writing my 1600^th Blog Post. If I have ever been able to do something with quite dedication and regularity in life, there’s nothing above Blogging. The 9^th year of Blogging is on and I feel quite unbelievable thinking that I have written around 1.5 million words i.e. like writing more than 20 novels. I never wished to become a writer but I wanted to speak about things and share anything I know or feel with people around me. Unfortunately, when I came to Mumbai, I found myself moving towards loneliness and hence, never found any friends or people around me to tell everything that came into my mind. But the mess could not have been kept within me for long. I was already overcoming from a psychic attack and didn’t want to get back to that. Haha! So, somehow, I got to learn about Blogging and I started with it without thinking where it would lead me to.

After living in influence of this for more than 70,000 hours of my life, I can say that it has become an identity for me. There are more people who know my blog than me. It says enough about the impact this has made upon my life. Every night, when I come home after office, or earlier from college, I have so much in my mind that I cannot sleep without writing something or even reading. When I feel like writing, I just blog about anything personal while when I feel like reading, I read something and post a review of it. I do not endorse myself as a Book Reviewer as it is a very big shoe to fit myself in. I just want reading to become a regular habit for people as it gives you the peace and serenity that you wish to conquer by going at far-away places. When you read something, you are in a different world all-together. It happens so many times that I read a book in train and people around me in Local knows the station I get down at and they poke me to come out of my reader’s paradise and move my ass to go to the most unwelcoming place ever- Office. Haha!

It has taken me almost one year to achieve another century but I do not regret. I was in a totally different zone since a year. I got introduced to the spiritual world after reading few books on it and then Youtube accomplished whatever was left for me to know about it. Since then I have either done spiritual practices without anyone’s notice, heard spiritual awakening music and songs, watched spiritual enlightenment videos, met few spiritual people and learnt how they got in spirituality etc. I must tell that the last one year has been the most confused year for me. For once, I was committed with something and then I totally lost it. For once, I felt that my Friendship has become stronger than ever and all of a sudden, I am almost friendless. For once, I got a position and I rejected it and then now, I am working for the same designation. For once, I was earning a meager amount and now, I am earning almost double of it. Life has changed altogether.

The spiritual practices have made me realize that the happiness can only be found within me. Expecting anything from anyone is like asking nature to act according to you. It is like asking sun to rise in night and asking moon to beautify the sky in noon. I now understood that both- sun and moon is within us and it is upon our will to feel whatever we wish to feel at any point of time throughout the day. My life has become the purpose to find the God within me and reach the zenith of being a Yogi and identify the ecstasy and the feeling of real bliss as soon as possible. There are many more tough decisions that I will have to take to get closer to who I am. The feeling of something being absent in life never goes away and that’s the reason why people love sad songs. I love ghazals because it is about what we have finally understood about life. The poverty of mind and soul has to be enriched with the help of silence and loneliness.

Being spiritual does not mean that material world does not matter anything to me. Being spiritual in this fast-paced world makes us the survivor otherwise the nature and world will always control our emotions. They will have the guts to make us angry, frustrated, nervous, sad, egoistic etc. Why to give control of my life to anyone else when I can’t afford it anymore? There is so much that I want to do in my Professional and Blogging career which is a part of materialistic world but the spirituality is showing me the way how to cross the hurdles with smile, silence, peace and joy. We have celebrated our Independence Day just yesterday and the best thing our country has given to the world is the concept of Yoga, meditation and mathematics. If we do not experience the same being an Indian, what’s the use of getting birth in this divine place of Godliness?

On the occasion of my 1600^th Blog Post, I just want to ask all of you to buy out some time from your so-called busy life and be with yourself. Initially, you will feel depressed and lonely but once you start entering the world of cosmos within you, you will realize the unlimited energies you carry within you. You will then be able to guide your mind as per your will and not let yourself go as per your mind’s commands. Become the winner of your life rather than losing against external factors which has nothing to do with your inner feelings and mood. Stop blaming others and try to become the reason of everything good and bad that happens with you.

Talking about my blog, I would say that the frequency is getting slower years by years because the time of reaching home is getting extended gradually which does not allow me to stay awake all night like my college days and keep on blogging. Now, I have to manage many things understanding that job is priority. Being as much spiritual as possible is a totally different concept, but if you have to be part of this materialistic world, money matters and hence first priority has to be given to it irrespective of whatever passion and interest we hold. Only after the basics are secured can we move in directions that really make us feel blessed and powerful within ourselves. I promise all my readers that the Blog is to stay here forever irrespective of my mortality. Thanks for staying in touch for all these years and I hope your support will keep making this platform shine always. I am in awe of every reader’s selflessness towards me. Om Sai Ram!!!

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: Toilet- Ek Prem Katha: Serves the Purpose! ***½

1599th BLOG POST -->>

There used to be a time whenever a new poster of Akshay Kumar’s movie got released, people would say that another mindless movie has come to ruin our time. There was an era when Akshay did back to back movies and people were mad about it as no other actor did the way he knew the art of it. Then he started blending comedy in his action movies and after a point of time, he almost replaced Govinda in film industry and never let anyone miss him. His comedy movies are enough on the list which are actually watchable and has repeat value. And then he started making comedy movies which needed no brain to watch which started frustrating his fans. And recently, he has learnt how to blend comedy with a social-message driven movie which can actually bring a small change in society through his light films. In the same genre comes his latest movie, “Toilet- Ek Prem Katha” which is doing very well at Box Office.

TEPK is about the problem of toilets in India about which even the national campaign is going on since BJP government has come into power. There are almost 52% of Indians who do not have toilet in their home because of which they either go out of their home to defecate in public or queue in at some public toilet which starts stinking after a point of time due to regular usage and no break time to clean it. The film talks about a man in his late years getting married to a well-educated girl who comes to know on her 1^st morning of marriage that the house has no toilets. She is unable to accept the fact and leaves her husband asking him to make a toilet at his home to bring her back. The movie is about how this man then fights against his village, family and nation to get a toilet built in his house premises.

The first half is entertaining as it does not get to the serious purpose and only discusses about the characters and how the lead characters fall in love with each other. There are many laughing moments there. In the 2^nd half, the movie gets a little serious and also stretchy, I must say. I believe that the 2^nd half could have been cut short by 15-20 minutes easily. But the rebel shown by the character of Akshay Kumar looks realistic on screen and he does everything that you expect from the character to do. Though the movie looks agenda-driven as said by many BJP haters but the cause is nicely portrayed in the movie and will surely raise awareness in the villages that does not believe in maintaining toilets.

Talking about the performances, Akshay Kumar seems to have come out from his great performance in Jolly LLB 2 and delivers another potential character here. He manages to make you smile and cry at his well throughout the movie. He stands true on the expectations. Bhumi Pednekar has played her part immensely well and tells about the multi-facet character she can play in movies. Divyendu Sharma has does a great job as a supporting actor and makes you giggle with his one-liner dialogues. Rest, all the supporting casts are okay. The songs are in sync with the movie. The dialogues are powerful. The movie also has repeat value which makes it one of the best movies of the year. I give this movie 3.5 star out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!!  

Review: Mubarakan: An entertaining comedy movie! ***

1598th BLOG POST -->>

It has been a long time since even an okay comedy movie has released and hence, there were a lot of expectations from Anees Bazmee’s “Mubarakan” as it also boasted of its multi-cast and high budget. Though I have lost faith in Bollywood’s comedy genre since a long time, but fortunately, Mubarakan didn’t add up to my list of To-be-avoided comedy movies of Bollywood. Mubarakan is an entertaining watch with its own bloopers between the characters and confusion created due to the lies spoken to avoid marriages by the double role of Arjun Kapoor.

The movie is very well paced with no boring scene for a long time. I liked how even the intense part is added in this movie to make the story stronger and not just a script converted into a visual format to just spread the one-liner jokes written by the writers. The way both the brothers get trapped in parent’s request of marriage and how they start telling lies to avoid getting married to a person they don’t love creates many scenes where the goof-ups take place and laughter moment gets created. Even the dialogues are wonderful in many scene which makes you laugh at the circumstances and what just happened in the previous scene itself.

The performance by Arjun Kapoor is great. I liked his acting for the first time since I am watching his movies. Unfortunately, he is the actor in the current slot whom I dislike the most but still he managed to impress me in this movie. Anil Kapoor, as usual, is loud and funny. Ileana D’Cruz is okay in her performance. She manages to give the expressions an actress is expected to give in a comedy movie. Athiya Shetty and Neha Sharma do not have much to do in the movie. Rest, all the supporting star-cast has also managed to play their part nicely to make the movie look good on-screen. The dialogues are laughable for most of the times. The screenplay is easy for the family audience to understand the movie. The songs are catchy. The whole Punjabi feel given in the movie makes you feel celebratory. I give this movie 3 star out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: Lipstick under my Burkha: A very well-made movie! ***½

1597th BLOG POST -->>

When I heard about the movie “Lipstick under my Burkha”, I had assumed it to be a movie preachy enough to bore me to death. Also, when I saw it promo, I over-assumed it to be enough boring to make me watch some documentary on the same topic than this movie. But after watching it last evening, I must say it is a very beautifully made movie which has managed somehow to get it released in theater in spite of so much of arguments it had with Censor board. The movie talks about how the desires of women are kept hidden and limited because of the society. For everything a woman wishes to do, she either has to seek permission from a man or be scared of the judgments from the society.

The four characters portrayed in the movie are based in Bhopal and speaks of each one of them going through different problems. The character of Konkana Sen Sharma is about just being treated as a sexual object by her husband who warms his bed every day irrespective of her approval or not. She does job of saleswoman without telling her husband about it. The character of Ahana is about a girl who uses her charm and sexuality to treat boys as per her will. Ratna Pathak’s character is about how even old women fantasizes about being in sexual relationship with young boys but keeping in mind about society they try to find alternatives. The character of Plabita talks about how this girl in an orthodox Muslim family dreams of following fashion style like an International star but have to wear Burkha and go out daily.

The problems of each character are so intense and realistic that you can relate with it. Though we have not come in direct association with any of the discussed issues of the women but still we know that such desires of women exist. The best part about the movie is that they have not tried being too feminist by showing women as rebellious or disrespectful. They have kept the behavior and reactions realistic and genuine. The anti-climax and climax are just wonderfully treated and the last scene is so serene that I don’t think I can ever take it away from my mind. Lipstick Under My Burkha is one such experiential movie that I endorse it and wish that such movies are regularly made with messages and still not being preachy even in one dialogue itself. Specially mentioning- I liked the way Ratna Pathak reads the erotic book in the background when the central characters go through tough moments. I give this movie 3.5 star out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!! 

Review: Munna Michael: The weakest dance-based movie! *

1596th BLOG POST -->>

When I watched “Heropanti” and saw Tiger Shroff for the first time on the screen, I was very impressed. Though his face is not what is expected of a Bollywood lead actor, his voice, his dialogue delivery and his dancing moves are enough to sustain him in the industry. I watched Munna Michael recently which is directed by Shabbir Khan who also debuted with Heropanti. The film stars Tiger and for a surprise, Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The film is expected to be comic considering Tiger is teaching Nawazuddin how to dance. The only time when the movie is funny is when Nawaz speaks few dialogues in his trademark style and accent. Otherwise it is all about running away from the script.

Whenever Tiger Shroff is cast in a movie, the directors has the same attitude of showing something for 15-20 minutes and then show a song with a wonderful dance sequence with Tiger showing his moves and abs and so on. The same has been the approach in Munna Michael too. The movie is about how Ronit Roy who plays a chorus dancer is exited from a movie’s shoot because his dancing style has become old. This makes him believe that dancing is not good for choosing it as a career. He imposes the same rule on the child whom he picks up from road and adopts to not to follow dancing as passion but obviously, the child grows into Tiger Shroff and knows nothing better than dancing. Later on, he gets in contact with Nawazuddin Siddique who is a hooligan because of an incident and gets offered to teach him dance. Later on, both the actors fall in love with the same girl, played by Nidhhi Agerwal, a debutante.

The film is very obvious and you know even the climax from the interval time itself. Talking about the performances, leaving Tiger Shroff and the debutante, Nidhhi Agerwal, everyone seems to be sleep-walking throughout the movie with disinterest obvious from their body language. Not one scene creates an impact upon you as an audience. Even the web series on Youtube has 100x times more impact upon the viewer. The only scenes that create some excitement is when Nawaz gets to know that Tiger has found his love interest yet not revealed it to him.

Talking about the performances, Tiger Shroff has done exactly the same what he has done in all his previous movies. Nidhhi Agerwal is quite similar to Kriti Sanon in terms of acting but she is extremely beautiful and fresh to be a part of this new Bollywood brigade. She has surely left her footprints behind. Nawazuddin Siddique is given a role which is far lesser than the caliber he has which makes him look very weird doing the stuffs which he has been made to. But still, only the dialogues given to him makes you laugh at few points. He is a savior for every such movie. The songs are forgettable. The locations and cinematography are also okay-ish. Overall, a movie that should be missed for your own good. Haha! I give it 1 star out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!!